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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On September 4, in the city of Osh, the UN World Food Programme (WFP), together with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Good Neighbors Kyrgyz Republic, successfully held a practical seminar on school water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) for school representatives from the southern regions of Kyrgyzstan.
The seminar in Osh was a continuation of the initiative launched on August 28 in Bishkek, bringing together school principals, teachers, and representatives of school health and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) committees from Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Batken regions.
The key highlight of the seminar was the distribution of practical guidelines and information-educational materials (booklets and posters) to school administrations on implementing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) measures.
What does the development of the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiative in schools include?
🔹 Access to safe drinking water and quality sanitation facilities.
🔹 Convenient handwashing stations and adherence to food hygiene practices.
🔹 Creating an inclusive, accessible, and comfortable environment for all children, including children with disabilities.
Implementing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) measures across all regions of the country is our shared contribution to building a safe, healthy, and inclusive environment for every child!
On August 25, 2026, a practical seminar titled "Organization of Healthy Nutrition in Schools" was held at the K. Chokoev School in Kotormo village. The event was organized by Good Neighbors Kyrgyz Republic as part of the "Green Schools for Healthy Nutrition" project.
School principals from Uch-Terek and Bel-Aldy rural areas gathered to study successful experiences in establishing school-adjacent farming: from growing apples, vegetables, and even bananas and lemons, to harvesting twice a season and building a specialized cellar for food storage.
Interview with a seminar participant:
Sharipova Jazgul Uchbaevna, Principal of the Mukash Zhamgyrkanov School, shared her impressions of the visit and plans for developing her school ground:
"Today we took part in the seminar and were greatly impressed. Our school has previously attempted to implement the Garden project for planting an apple orchard: we prepared suitable plots, submitted soil analysis results, and filed all necessary documents on time. This seminar inspired us once again! We will make every effort to establish our own apple orchard and a fully functioning school farm, and we also greatly count on your support in implementing this initiative."
School-adjacent farming is an effective and accessible tool that helps provide children with fresh produce, enrich daily hot meals, and strengthen the health of the younger generation!
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On August 28, in Bishkek, the UN World Food Programme (WFP), together with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Good Neighbors Kyrgyz Republic held a practical workshop on WASH standards for schools.
The key highlight of the event was the presentation of a practical handbook on implementing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene standards in educational institutions to school principals.
What does the WASH framework in schools include?
🔹 Access to safe drinking water and quality sanitation facilities.
🔹 Convenient handwashing stations and adherence to food hygiene rules.
🔹 Creating an inclusive, accessible, and comfortable environment for all children, including children with disabilities.
During the workshop, representatives of schools participating in the school feeding project discussed the work of school health committees and methods for developing healthy habits among students.
📍 What's next? Later this week, a similar workshop will be held in Osh for representatives of schools from the southern regions of Kyrgyzstan!
Together, we are creating a safe and healthy environment for the future generation!