Ophthalmological examination: within the framework of the support project for ethnic Koreans
With age, regular diagnostics become vital, yet full medical check-ups in modern clinics are not always accessible to older people and pensioners due to high costs.
A significant number of elderly ethnic Koreans whose children have gone abroad to work reside in Bishkek and the Chuy region. According to a Good Neighbors study (2026), 77.9% of them suffer from vision problems, and 89.4% cannot afford private ophthalmologist services. Without timely treatment, people gradually lose their sight and end up isolated.
To remove this financial barrier, Good Neighbors Kyrgyz Republic, together with the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) and the Koryo-in Diaspora Association, launched a project for the free diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases. The main outcome of such support is the timely detection of dangerous health conditions: during the exam, doctors identified a cataract in one of the participants for the first time and promptly referred her for surgery.
From an interview with a check-up participant:
Kim Lyudmila, representative of the Korean diaspora:
"Without this sponsored support, I would not have been able to visit such a modern clinic. I was examined, diagnosed with a cataract, and advised to undergo surgery. It is difficult for pensioners to pay for diagnostics, so we are deeply grateful for the care, attentive doctors, and excellent organization without any queues!"
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Dear children, parents, teachers, and everyone dedicated to caring for the younger generation,
Good Neighbors Kyrgyz Republic sincerely congratulates you on International Children’s Day!
This day reminds us of what matters most: every child deserves a happy childhood, love, care, safety, and the opportunity to reach their full potential. Children are our future, a source of inspiration, and our hope for a better world.
For 35 years, Good Neighbors International has been working for the well-being of children around the world. Today, the organization positively impacts the lives of millions of people in more than 40 countries, with a strong focus on child rights protection, well-being, and inclusive community development.
In Kyrgyzstan, Good Neighbors has been operating since 2014. Throughout these years, together with our partners, local communities, schools, and families, we have been creating conditions that enable children to grow up healthy, receive quality education, develop their talents, and feel safe and protected.
On this special day, we wish every child bright smiles, joyful discoveries, loyal friends, and confidence in the future. May your dreams come true, and may you always be surrounded by people who support, inspire, and help you take the first step toward great achievements.
Happy International Children’s Day!
A series of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) was successfully conducted as part of the comprehensive needs assessment in the Community Development Projects (CDPs) of Kok-Chu, Bolot Mambetova, Bel-Aldy, and Zhapalak located in Chui, Issyk-Kul, Osh, and Jalal-Abad regions of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The discussions brought together representatives of various community groups, including teachers, healthcare workers, parents, youth, farmers, entrepreneurs, representatives of local self-government bodies, and vulnerable population groups. The focus groups served as a platform for open discussion of current community challenges, identification of priority needs, and exploration of possible solutions.
The discussions covered issues related to education, healthcare, access to clean water and sanitation, rights protection, social support, employment, and income generation. Special attention was given to the challenges faced by vulnerable groups, access to basic services, improvement of living conditions, and strengthening the capacity of local communities.
The Focus Group Discussions enabled the collection of valuable qualitative information and ensured active community participation in the needs assessment process. The findings will be used for further planning and for developing practical programs and initiatives that are responsive to the real needs of the communities.
Environmental debates (Eco-Debate) among high school students were successfully held at Secondary School No. 48 (Kerme-Too) and Secondary School No. 45 named after M. Myrzaev in Osh city.
Although for many students this was their first experience participating in debates, from the very beginning they demonstrated great interest, active participation, and sincere engagement in discussing current environmental issues. During the event, participants learned how to express their opinions with arguments, listen to opposing views, work as a team, and collaboratively find solutions.
The eco-debates became an important platform for developing public speaking, critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork skills.
We hope that such initiatives will inspire young people to continue their personal development and participate in future debate tournaments, helping to build an active civic position.