Cheese making training course
NOTE – THIS IS OUR MOST SUCCESSFUL GROUP AS REPORTED IN 2007.
A cheese making training course was run in September 2007 for the village women involved in milk and dairy processing. The ladies learned soft cheese and yoghurt production techniques.
This activity was funded by a private donor. The milk pasteurising group has expanded in Naryn oblast where there is a high demand for their pasteurised dairy products. The pasteurisation training provided by the trust raised awareness about milk safety and brucellosis prevention, and as a result the group is able to market their milk, yoghurt, curd, soft cheese, sour cream and kefir as ‘safe’ and are contracted to provide milk to the local school and kindergarten.
Livestock farm family
A typical livestock farm family has 5 cattle, 10 milking mares, and 10-15 sheep. In summer when the family will be camped out in the alpine pastures, the woman will rise an hour before her husband at 5am to milk the mares. She will then cook breakfast, look after her children’s needs, then again milk the mares. This task must be done 2 hourly for 4 months. The milk is processed into fermented milk (Kymyz), and sour cheese. The woman also takes care of the young stock. The husband will take the animals out to the alpine pastures for grazing, and maintain saddles, yurts, and other equipment. An estimated 90 percent of women and children suffering some way from anaemia due to the poor diet – meat, milk, tea and bread. There are very few vegetables or fruits in their diet – these foods are not historically and culturally important crops KNZRT will work with villagers to encourage and improve fruit and vegetable production.
Women’s sewing group
Establishing a women’s sewing group in Ak-Muz village was a real challenge. The women involved lacked confidence and were already busy with family and household duties. Umit Ukaeva (Trustee) overcame this challenge by involving husbands in the renovation of premises provided by the village authority. Old furniture was donated by the school principal. After some basic training in cutting and sewing, and provision of patterns from NZ, the women began production for sale. Using their old hand sewing machines, they began producing ready-made garments, blankets and curtains. In a few months, the sewing ladies gained the approval of their fellow villagers, and orders for tailor made clothing began to flow in. They are now also making school uniforms for the local school. The challenge for the Kyrgyz NZ Rural Trust was to help the sewing ladies grow their operation from a tiny cottage industry to a successful business. To assist this process, the Trust has provided them with 2 electric machines and an edging machine, which led to both increased quality, and greater output of tailored clothes. Now, the sewing ladies have decided to buy a “patent” (business license) to allow them to sign supply contracts with kindergartens, schools and other agencies. The leader of the sewing group commented recently that “the Trust’s real gift to us was the confidence to believe in ourselves”.
This sewing group has expanded in the village of Ak Muz, proving that a little support goes a long way to helping the villagers pull themselves from the depths of poverty. The shop now has a commercial sewing machine which allows for better quality winter garments, a larger working area and a huge awareness amongst the other villagers.
Goats for poor women
When the KNZRT introduced “goats for poor women”, group members were pessimistic about the idea – “it will take many years to build a flock – we have such a high incidence of animal diseases”. But in late winter, 2007, one group member in Ortok village was in tears of joy when both her does (provided by the Trust) delivered twins. She said she had taken care of them throughout the harsh winter as if they were babies. Such was the excitement that whenever her grown-up children called her, they immediately asked about the twins. She said it was really difficult not to slaughter them in winter when her family did not have any meat but now she is happy that she met the project obligations and cared for them so well.
The ‘goats for poor women’ program has proven successful in more ways than one; with the arrival of twins from each nanny goat came a sense of accomplishment, understanding and a feeling of confidence from the owners, which the trustees feel are greater achievements than the goats producing offspring to pass on.
The field programme – 2008
3 trustees visited Naryn in 2008 to help establish the expanded programme. In July/August, Derek Kirke visited the original villages and inspected the continuing activities established in 2006. Derek also established a KNZRT programme of assistance in two recently identified villages in At Bashy raion. Generally Derek found the original programme to be functioning well, but identified the need for more rigorous support from our contracted partner – the Rural Advisory Service (RAS). As a result, the renewal of our contract for service support to farmers was revised to address these short-comings. Derek was in Naryn for approximately 3 weeks, and was accompanied by Mark Acland – a prominent Mid-Canterbury high country farmer. Derek reported : “we are recognized by village people as not just another aid agency, but an organization doing some real practical good in their communities. The optimism and enthusiasm, and private enterprise thinking shown by some of the groups are very encouraging and one would hope sustainable into the future”.
Brian Hedleyvisited Naryn in June/July 2008. His tasks were mostly focused on: (i) preparing a short list for selection of a (full-time) Naryn-based KNZRT project manager; (ii) working with Andrew Gore (a kiwi vet who generously gave a month of his time to KNZRT) to identify 4 vet practices which could be supported by KNZRT to provide private sector animal health services to our target farmers; (iii) reviewed the village field level implementation arrangements for the KNZRT programme, with a view to identifying a second agency to complement the work of RAS; (iv) providing recommendations to trustees on field visit timing, systems to monitor the progress and impact of KNZRT activities in each group in each village; and (v) review of the progress in establishing micro-credit services to rural communities. A suitable micro-credit agent was identified in 2007, the Morgan Family Charitable Foundation agreed to loan a line of credit of $150,000 and in 2007, UNDP had agreed to provide technical support. However, a change of UNDP policy has stalled these arrangements. KNZRT is now looking for solutions to this unfortunate state of affairs.
Dr Andrew Gore (of the Morrinsville Vet Practice) assisted Brian and Derek with identification of suitable vet practices and also showed great initiative taking veterinary equipment from NZ to donate to these budding practices. The KNZRT trustees are very grateful to Andrew and the Morrinsville Vet Practice for their generosity.
In October this year, in her capacity as the KNZRT supervising trustee,Umit Ukaevaspent a month in the field reviewing the earlier work, addressing specific issues highlighted by Derek and Brian. Her tasks were to: (i) finalize the 4 vet practices, reviewing equipment, training and drugs requirements; (ii) make the final selection of our new Programme Manager; (iii) review a number of field level implementation arrangements, including micro-credit; and (iv) further development of the field programme monitoring system.
The KNZRT trustees are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Bakyt Egemberdiev as KNZRT’s full-time Programme Manager, based in Naryn. Bakyt will add considerable value to the effectiveness of KNZRT’s field programme. His duties will include supervision of KNZRT expenditure quality by contracted service providers, maintenance and development of KNZRT’s profile in Naryn, and assessment of the on-going impacts and outcomes of KNZRT programmes.
As a result of these valuable contributions, KNZRT is poised to significantly improve the breadth and depth of its work in Naryn.
Financing
The trustees are delighted to report that the funding required to implement the expansion into 5 new villages in 2009 has been secured. Further, thanks to judicious financial management, the funds have been protected during the rapid drop in the value of the kiwi dollar in the last half of 2008.
Further fund raising efforts are underway for the 2010 year. In particular, the Lincoln Rotary Club has offered to assist KNZRT with an application to Rotary International in USA. This application is proceeding in partnership with the Rotary Club of Bishkek. In addition, the trustees are very grateful to the membership of Lincoln Rotary for coordinating a fund raising drive with other Canterbury Rotary Clubs, and for hosting a fund raising dinner on behalf of KNZRT. Gareth and Jo Morgan were guests of honour, and contributed greatly to the success of the evening. The trustees are also delighted with an offer of further funding support from the NZ Embassy in Moscow. The recent visit of our Patron (Dr Gareth Morgan) to the ambassador may have had something to do with this offer!
Trustee News
The trustees offer their congratulations to Ms Kunduz Masylkanova who has recently won a scholarship to study for a Masters degree in Economics at the London School of Economics. Mr Kuvat Bapaevis currently managing a livestock development project for FAO in neighbouring Tajikistan.
$49,000 raised in Queenstown
The KNZRT fund raiser in Queenstown on April 4th was a huge success. Barb Williams and the ShootNZ team raised $49,000, which was matched by The Morgan Family Charitable Foundation. The trustees are enormously grateful to Barbara Williams and her team, along with Roz Greig, for their hard work and generosity. Carly Flynn of TV3 and the Park Lane Boutique Hotel also contributed generously – the latter with accommodation and hospitality. Thank you Queenstown.
White Water rafting fundraiser
The trustees are grateful to the group of 12 Kiwi guys who celebrated a 60thbirthday by rafting theLandsborough River inSouth Westland – with “Southey” and the HiddenValley’s rafting team. While having a fantastic wilderness experience, they raised $2,500 for KNZRT. Well done guys!
New Zealand News – Fundraising successes!
During March-April, Trustee Umit Ukaeva visited NZ for a month on a trip which was a mixture of business and pleasure. Umit spoke about her country and KNZRT’s work to a number of organizations while she was here, including the West Melton Ladies Group and the KNZRT fund raising dinner in Queenstown. Umit and fellow trustee Derek Kirke were also interviewed by Chris Laidlaw on Radio NZ.
Queenstown Fundraiser
The KNZRT fund raiser in Queenstown on April 4th was a huge success. Barb Williams and the ShootNZ team raised $49,000, which was matched by The Morgan Family Charitable Foundation. The trustees are enormously grateful to Barbara Williams and her team, along with Roz Greig, for their hard work and generosity. Carly Flynn of TV3 and the Park Lane Boutique Hotel also contributed generously – the latter with accommodation and hospitality. Thank you Queenstown.
KOHA
A NZ Government fund administered by NZAID to help fund non-government organizations (NGOs) such as KNZRT has generously offered to provide funds to KNZRT. KOHA will provide $88,350. Trustee Brian Hedley worked tirelessly to secure these funds.
Head of Mission fund
The New Zealand Embassy in Moscow, which also looks after the Central Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan, has provided KNZRT with $27,500 from it,s Head of Mission Fund. These funds will be used to provide the KNZRT “package” of support to the remote and poor of Taldy Suu village in Naryn province. On a visit to Kyrgyzstan in June, the new NZ Ambassador (MR Chris Elder) met with KNZRT Trustee Umit Ukaeva in Bishkek to learn more about KNZRT and our work. Trustee Derek Kirke was responsible for negotiating these funds with the NZ Embassy.
Anonymous donation
KNZRT has received generous support from a charitable foundation which wishes to remain anonymous. The KNZRT trustees are very grateful for this support and for the generosity of many other ordinary New Zealanders so far this year. We value all your contributions greatly.
Rafting Fundraiser
The trustees are grateful to the group of 12 Kiwi guys who celebrated a 60th birthday by rafting the Landsborough River in South Westland – with “Southey” and the Hidden Valley’s rafting team. While having a fantastic wilderness experience, they raised $2,500 for KNZRT. Well done guys.
Marketing
The trustees are very grateful to Christchurch businessman Craig Boyce and some of the Telecom marketing team for providing their time and knowledge to the KNZRT during a day long marketing planning session in Auckland recently. The result was much greater clarity of purpose and direction for the KNZRT marketing and publicity effort.
The Morrinsville Vet Practice has generously donated $9000 to KNZRT to assist with establishment of two much needed private vet practices in Naryn Oblast in Kyrgyzstan. Linked to the Morrinsville donation, NZ vet Dr Andrew Gore has offered to travel to Kyrgyzstan in July to work with Trustee Brian Hedley on animal health challenges and the establishment of private vet clinics in Naryn. Trustee Brian Hedley negotiated both this donation and associated collaboration.
The Morgan Family Charitable Foundation (MFCT) has provided loan funds to allow micro-credit support to Naryn farmers. Dr Gareth Morgan announced at the Queenstown dinner that MFCF will make a concessionary loan of $150,000 to “MAANI” – a micro-credit agency based in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan. These funds will be used to help the rural poor gain access to much needed credit on a non-collateral basis. Trustees Brian Hedley and Umit Ukaeva worked hard to secure these funds.
Thank you to our wonderful supporters
To all those who have contributed time and or donated money to the KNZRT a big thank you from the project beneficiaries; the rural poor of Naryn oblast. The fund raising success has allowed all the projects planned for 2008 to be initiated. We can now focus on fund raising for 2009 projects.
Field News – 2008
KNZRT has been working hard to expand its outreach with two more rural villages in Kyrgyzstan being taken under our wing. Starting May, needs analyses will commence in Ozgorush and Taldysuu. These are poor livestock communities close to the mountains and with limited access during winter. KNZRT hopes to be able to support these villages in the same way as with Ortok and Ak Muz; that is, by arming the villagers with the knowledge and means by which to improve the production of their stock and land, thus improving their livelihood.
There are plans in place to start a micro-credit system in Naryn this year. At present, money loans are designed to be short-term, with high interest rates. KNZRT wants to provide long-term loans with low interest rates to groups of farmers, which will enable them to make investments for the future of their farms.
There are also plans to establish Farmers Clubs in the villages. These are designed for young farmers to share their knowledge and hold discussions, rather than receive information in a lecture style.
So far, 2008 has been full of positive rewards from the participants in our activities in Kyrgyzstan:
- The sewing group that was established in 2005/06 has expanded in the village of Ak Muz, proving that a little support goes a long way to helping the villagers pull themselves from the depths of poverty. The shop now has a commercial sewing machine which allows for better quality winter garments, a larger working area and a huge awareness amongst the other villagers.
- The ‘goats for poor women’ program has proven successful in more ways than one; with the arrival of twins from each nanny goat came a sense of accomplishment, understanding and a feeling of confidence from the owners, which the trustees feel are greater achievements than the goats producing offspring to pass on.
- The milk pasteurising group has expanded in Naryn oblast (=province), where there is a high demand for their pasteurised dairy products. The pasteurisation training provided by the trust raised awareness about milk safety and brucellosis prevention, and as a result the group is able to market their milk, yoghurt, curd, soft cheese, sour cream and kefir as ‘safe’ and are contracted to provide milk to the local school and kindergarten.
- Last year, we provided an electric oven and training for baking bread in the village of Ortok. This baking program proved so successful, with contracts to provide buns to some local shops, the school and the kindergarten, that we started another baking group in the village of Ak Muz early this year.
Sir Edmund Hillary, an inspiration to us all
Sir Edmund Hillary was a generous supporter of the Trust. When approached in 2007 to support a KNZRT fund raising event in Wanaka (NZ), without hesitation, Sir Edmund provided signed memorabilia and artwork that raised $10,000 for our Trust. Sir Edmund was also an inspiration to the Trustees in their work with the mountain peoples of Naryn Oblast in Kyrgyzstan. In 2003, two of the Trustees were privileged to attend the 50th anniversary dinner in Kathmandu of Sir Edmund’s conquest of Mt Everest. They saw first-hand the unbelievable gratitude and respect that the Sherpa people have for Sir Edmund. The KNZRT has drawn on the example of Sir Edmund’s humanitarian support to the Sherpas because it is an internationally acclaimed example of what ordinary people can do to help the disadvantaged in remote communities. The Trustees will always be enormously grateful to Sir Edmund for his influence and support.
Lady Hillary continues his support and is now a Patron of KNZRT. Lady Hillary said “Sir Edmund was a keen supporter of the Kyrgyzstan New Zealand Rural Trust. I am delighted to continue supporting the great work of these New Zealanders with the mountain people of Kyrgyzstan”
$54,000 raised in Wanaka – 2007
$54,000 raised in Wanaka in March 2007. In attendance was Gareth Morgan (who matched the funds raised) and Sam Neil who gave his generous support. Many locals gave generous support to the dinner and auction, and local entrepreneur Peter Marshall gave generous support in a number of ways. Auction items were provided by a number of people including Sir Edmond Hillary. Kuvat Bapaev from Kyrgyzstan also spoke to the gathering of 120 people.