On March 18-19 an exhibition of social projects organized by the Fund of the First President of Kazakhstan was held in Almaty. There was a diverse program including presentations of projects, master classes, video-presentations, discussions. The exhibition was opened by Executive Director of the Fund Bektas Mukhamedzhanov. He welcomed over 200 participants and media representatives. Later, a roundtable "Science and Innovations is the Basis of Intellectual Leadership in Kazakhstan" was held where Kazakhstani scientists Bisembay Iskakov, Tlekkabul Ramazanov, Baurzhan Duisenbayev, and a Professor from Russia Nikolay Vatin presented their reports.


More than 200 projects were presented at the exhibition. In total, 17 projects were presented by Hesed Polina, Zabota Center, from all regions of Kazakhstan. This charity organization is pursuing many activities such as support of socially underprivileged families, providing home care for elderly people living alone and disabled people, implementing educational programs for children and youth.


The modern society tries to support the weak, socially underprivileged, dwellers of remote villages, and disabled people. All projects proposed different ways to do it. Participants discussed how to develop a new movement at educational and manufacturing organizations - volunteering. Jewish community has been working with volunteers for a long time. Volunteers are the core of our activities.


On March 19 there was an award ceremony where 28 projects were announced winners including the project of Valentina Kusnetsova, Director of Children’s Programs at Karaganda Hesed Miriam. Programs for children with special needs were given priority by the organizers. The project "What a Wonderful World" will be funded by the Fund of the First President of Kazakhstan. The implementation of the project will give children with disabilities a chance for a social adaptation. The major goal of the project is to develop children’s intelligence and creative potential through art.


It is remarkable that the Fund of the First President has selected the project of Hesed Miriam among a great number of other projects. This gives a new impetus for successful work of all Kazakhstani Heseds.

Lyudmila Starodubova