PUBLIC ASSOCIATION
Inspiring Trust, Confidence and Support
Contents:
About Bereke
1
Rural NGO development
2-3
Youth in action
4
Our children’s future is in
our hands!
5
Mission statement: Public Association “Bereke” serves as a catalyst to
engage community stakeholders to build technical skills and competen-
cies through participatory processes that will enable them to not only
meet their basic social and economic needs, but also improve livelihoods.
The newsletter is prepared by Public Association ―Bereke‖ in the framework of Kazakhstan Civil Society
Strengthening Program implemented by Counterpart International-Kazakhstan with the financial
support of USAID
ABOUT BEREKE
History of development
In 2002, U.S. private non-profit organization ACDI/VOCA
began implementation of the Community Action Invest-
ment Program (CAIP) in Kazakhstan. CAIP was funded by
United States Agency for International Development
(USAID) and was implemented under the localized name
―Bereke‖, ―Prosperity‖ in Kazakh language. CAIP/Bereke
worked with communities that were perceived to be either
conflict-prone or have significant potential for conflict aris-
ing from issues related to the communities’ basic socio-
economic needs. CAIP/Bereke promoted broad-based dia-
logue among community residents, local governments, pri-
vate businesses and NGOs to strengthen the communities’
capacity to address community identified and prioritized issues through the mobilization of local re-
sources (human, technical, financial and natural) and use of participatory practices that collectively
work to address issues of social instability within the community.
CAIP/Bereke has collaborated with 21 partner communities in South-Kazakhstan, Zhambyl and Al-
maty regions since June 2002.
In the three year period, CAIP/Bereke implemented 71 social infrastructure projects directly benefiting
237,000 people in the three target regions.
Through the utilization of U.S. and local technical assistance consultants and collaboration with local
and international NGOs, CAIP/Bereke co-implemented trainings involving the most active community
members, including youth, covering technical issues of project im-
plementation/maintenance/sustainability, mobilization of commu-
nity savings, conflict prevention/resolution, advocacy, civic educa-
tion, human rights, community strategic planning, among many
other topics.
With the completion of the CAIP program in July 2005, ACDI/
VOCA CAIP staff, inspired by the experience, knowledge and
technical skills gained, has decided to continue to work with stake-
holders in the southern region of Kazakhstan in the co-
implementation of community-driven activities through the local
NGO successor organization Bereke.
Bereke’s activity is aimed at rural community development, particularly at civil society development
through strengthening rural NGO capacities, promotion of gender equality policy, education about
women’s, children’s and other socially-vulnerable groups’ rights, expansion and strengthening of inter-
national cooperation, development of partnership with local government, mass-media and businesses.
Since 2005 PA "Bereke" has successfully implemented approximately
20 large-scale social projects with the financial support from the Euro-
pean Union, Counterpart International, Democracy Commission of
U.S. Embassy, Embassy of Japan in Kazakhstan, Eurasia Foundation
of Central Asia, Internal Policy Department of South Kazakhstan Ob-
last, Academy for Educational Development (AED), Bota Founda-
tion, and the Soros Foundation Kazakhstan.
page 1
One of the goals of Public Association "Bereke" is increasing the capacity of rural NGOs in
South Kazakhstan oblast through their institutional and professional development, strengthen-
ing cooperation between NGOs, local government, mass media and businesses, as well as pro-
motion of citizen participation in the decision making process in particular of women, youth
and other vulnerable groups.
Since 2005, Bereke has closely collaborated with many rural
non-governmental organizations in supporting local public
initiatives, by involving them in various joint projects and
trainings. More than 500 NGO representatives as well as
members from various initiative groups from rural areas of
South Kazakhstan have participated in PA Bereke’s train-
ings.
Based on its experience in NGO development, in 2009
Bereke developed a new strategy aimed at long-term results which consisted of trainings on
institutional development for rural NGOs as well as grant opportunities for the participating
organizations. The grant competition gave participating organizations the opportunity to cre-
ate small scale projects in their communities by putting into use the knowledge and skills ac-
quired at the trainings.
Realization of this strategy became possible
due to the financial support of the European
Union (288 647 Euro) and Soros Founda-
tion Kazakhstan (8 800 000 tenge). Project
activities were conducted with the close
partnerships of Association of Legal Enti-
ties ―Civil Alliance of SKO‖, Youth Public
Association
"Kasiet",
Association
FRANCE-OURAL and Internal Policy De-
partment of SKO whom in April, 2012
Public Association "Bereke" concluded the
Memorandum on cooperation in strength-
ening capacity of rural NGOs in South Ka-
zakhstan Oblast for the purpose of civil so-
ciety sustainable development.
YOUTH IN ACTION
RURAL NGO DEVELOPMENT
page 2
The rural NGO development activities were conducted in the
entire South Kazakhstan Oblast territory which included: Turke-
stan town, Kentau town, Otyrar, Baidybek, Sairam, Kazygurt,
Saryagash, Maktaaral, Shardara, Tolebi, Ordabasy, Suzak,
Tulkubas, Arys rayons.
Since 2010 over 80 representatives of rural NGOs have
participated in a series of trainings on strategic planning,
community mobilization, project development and man-
agement, media skills development, gender equality and
human rights, accounting and taxation in non-profit organ-
izations, and trainings of trainers. Fourteen rural NGOs
also had the opportunity to implement 2-3 small scale pro-
jects
during
which they re-
ceived consultations on project development and
management, record keeping and accounting for
non-profit organization. As a result of fruitful
collaboration of the partner organizations, infor-
mation resource centers have been established in
almost all rayons of the oblast. These centers
have been technologically equipped and provid-
ed with the latest methodological material.
They also partake in oblast level networking of
non-profit organizations for the purpose of regu-
lar experience and information exchange. It is
anticipated that the 14 NGOs will act as cata-
lysts for rural non-governmental sector develop-
ment.
INSPIRING TRUST, CONFIDENCE AND
SUPPORT
RURAL NGO DEVELOPMENT
page 3
«All trainings provided
by Public Association
"Bereke" are very useful,
as there is an urgent
need in well trained,
qualified staff of non-
governmental organiza-
tions in rural areas.
Owing to participation
in trainings we have
been able to develop skills of project development,
proposal writing and due to acquired skills receive
grants from international and Kazakhstan organi-
zations».
Valeriy Turlybekov, chairman of YPA «NGO
Alpamys»
«Before participation in Bereke
projects we had not fully under-
stood the idea of NGO work,
the activity of our organization
had been often reduced to only
providing financial and adviso-
ry support to certain low in-
come families, single mothers
and disabled people. In the past
we hadn't realized that one of
the main objectives of an NGO is to mobilize community
for joint actions to solve community problems. Basic
knowledge and skills in writing proposals, project develop-
ment and management acquired during the training course,
allowed me to train our organizations staff in developing
projects. With the assistance of Bereke consultants we
were able to develop community initiated small scale pro-
jects, write proposals and receive mini grants for their im-
plementation in our rayon. Today our team has a strategic
vision of current situation and essential changes that would
help our NGO to be more efficient and sustainable».
Elmira Temirbayeva, chairperson of Women’s Public
Association «Ana Zhuregi».
Rural NGOs — winners of project grant competi-
tions:
Public Association ―Domalak Ana‖, Baidybek
rayon
Youth Public Association ―NGO Alpamys‖, Sai-
ram rayon
Public Association ―Analar – Asyl Zhandar‖,
Kazygurt rayon
Public Association ―Eco Atameken‖, Kentau town
Women’s Public Association “Ana Zhuregi”,
Maktaaral rayon
Public Association ―Yevgenika‖, Otyrar rayon.
―Association of Medical Workers – Shipa‖,
Shardara rayon
Public Association ―Ugam‖, Tolebi rayon
Public Association ―Zhaiylma‖, Turkistan town
Youth Public Association ―Baiterek‖, Saryagash
rayon
Public Association ―Women’s Council of Arys
town‖, Arys rayon
Public Foundation ―Zhana Urpak‖, Tulkubas ray-
on
Public Association ―Women’s Council of Orda-
basy rayon‖, Ordabasy rayon
Community Youth Group ―Bolashak‖, Suzak ray-
on
Another important goal of PA ―Bereke‖ is increasing youth participation in solving community
issues through institutional development of rural youth NGOs, as well as promoting volunteerism
and civic leadership within their communities.
Bereke staff has provided trainings for over 700
rural youth on leadership skills development,
gender equality, human rights, and volunteerism,
as a way to develop their confidence and ac-
countability.
Bereke has supported 23 mini-projects for rural
non-governmental organizations within the pro-
ject grant competitions, as they all have been
aimed at strengthening youth potential, develop-
ing civil activity and volunteerism among youth.
Here is what project participants say:
Over 4000 people have taken part in various
trainings, seminars, social actions, competi-
tions, contests and relay races initiated by
youth, not because they have had to do it, but
because each of them has felt his or her sig-
nificance in community life and opened new
opportunities for himself or herself.
YOUTH IN ACTION
page 4
«During the training we were asked
a question, which issue is more
interesting for us to work on, we
pondered, it was not easy to identi-
fy as we understood that it is im-
possible to capture everything that
touches us, but as a result, we’ve
chosen the most important topic in
our opinion «healthy lifestyle»,
since it concerns each of us. It was
a great pleasure for us to develop
training sessions for children, and the most satisfactory
moment was to observe interest and respect in the eyes of
kids participating in our trainings. I experienced a great
feeling of responsibility! To teach others means to be al-
ways a good example for them!»
Nurdaulet Makhanov, PA “ECO Atameken” volunteer
«It was very important for us to
make our children understand that
when there is a goal and a desire to
do something not only for yourself,
but also for your homeland, school,
street, it is necessary to do it; a de-
cent undertaking is never remained
unnoticed and would be surely sup-
ported. It is pleasant to note that our
children initiated a sports contest titled «Life is a move-
ment, and movement is health» to prove in practice that
each of us is able to make our everyday life much more
interesting and spend our free time with greater efficien-
cy».
Liliya Linova, PA “Yevgenika” staff member
«For the first time in my life I
tried to work as a volunteer
and now upon the completion
of a sports contest it is cool to
see the results of our joint ef-
forts: the interest which has
appeared in youth to what is
happening around and the
desire to change life of Shaulder youth, is worth indeed.
I don’t want to stop at the reached point, I want to con-
tinue this very responsible but at the same time interest-
ing work, as it gives us, teenagers, the chance to feel our
significance for the community».
Ashirbayeva Uldan, PA “Yevgenika” volunteer
OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE IS IN OUR HANDS!
The problem of shortage of kindergartens is acute in South Kazakhstan oblast, which is the most densely populated
region of the country. For this reason since 2009 Public Association ―Bereke‖ has been working in expanding access
of high-quality services in the sphere of preschool education for the children from low income families and socially
vulnerable groups through providing trainings at ―Balbobek‖ early childhood development courses all of which have
been financed by the Bota Foundation. Trainings are conducted in the Early Childhood Development Center con-
structed by Bereke with the financial support of the Embassy of Japan in RK within the «Grassroots» program.
Bereke specialists have developed the educational program for
the children from ages 3 to 7 based on advanced techniques and
characteristics of the local population. Three hundred children
living in the city of Shymkent, micro districts of "Dostyk",
"Saule", "Kaitpas", «Kainar bulak» have been trained at
―Balbobek‖ courses for 3 years. This program has been highly
evaluated and approved by the experts of international organiza-
tion ―Save the Children‖.
At ―Balbobek‖ courses a particular attention is given to increas-
ing the profes-
sional level of
teachers and vol-
unteers
for
whom trainings
on applying the
methods of prac-
tical psychology
in the work with
children of pre-
school age and
teaching meth-
odology are provided. Since 2009 a large quantity of methodical and
didactic material, video materials, power point presentations and
books which are successfully utilized in the field of early childhood
development have been collected at the center. In addition to the teaching program, comics, brochures and a book of
child development games have been expanded by Balbobek workers in Russian and Kazakh languages. All interest-
ed parties: teachers of Balbobek courses, parents of children, other NGOs working in the sphere of preschool educa-
tion have an access to these materials.
In 2011 two early childhood development centers were opened in
the most socially vulnerable micro districts of ―Dostyk‖ and ―Kainar
bulak‖. They have been equipped with necessary furniture, equip-
ment, intellectual development books and toys. To organize and co-
ordinate the center’s activities, parent-community committees have
been elected.
Trainings on strategic planning, community mobilization, project
development and management, fundraising and teambuilding have
been provided for members of parent-community committees to
strengthen the capacity of the two centers. Currently the project em-
ployees give assistance to representatives of parent-community com-
mittees to establish a non-governmental organization in the commu-
nities for the purpose of ensuring further functioning of the centers
and solving many other existing social problems.
The early childhood development project is implemented in close
cooperation with Shymkent city akimat, Abai rayon akimat, SKO
children’s rights protection department, Shymkent city department of employment and social programs, department
of education, children's library named after Y.Altynsarin, local businesses and NGOs, working in the field of chil-
dren’s rights protection.
page 5
Trainings are conducted 3 times a week, lasting 2-3
hours depending on the age group. During the courses
children are able to learn about the surrounding
world, flowers and forms, sizes and volumes, letters
and figures. Parents of the children, attending the
Balbobek courses, get free consultations regarding
education and development of their children.
«Successful work of the
Center has displayed to
community members that
the future of our children
is in our hands and now, it
is necessary to continue
the work of the center
through joint efforts of
parents, community lead-
ers, local government and relevant state institu-
tions. It is surely an excellent low-expensive
alternative form of preschool education for the
children who do not have an opportunity to at-
tend kindergarten or other paid preschool insti-
tutions».
community committee, mkr.”Kaynar bulak”
“Trainings at Balbobek
center have helped my
granddaughter to become
more open, sociable, in-
quisitive, and also acquire
the knowledge required for
entering an elementary
school, and the most im-
portant thing to be men-
tioned she has got a lot of
friends here”.
Zhumabekova
Raisa,
grandmother of 6-year-old
Julia who participated in Balbobek trainings
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