Education Kazakhstan Project #15461

Be a changemaker for the forgotten of Central Asia

by Salem Union

Project Report | Dec 7, 2020
Celebrations - with a difference

By Tim Munday | Project Leader

Marking International Day of Volunteering

Much like many places around the world, life is yet to return to normal at Salem after the effects of the pandemic on normal life. Large gatherings and parties are still banned, and that has meant that most of our social projects have been put on hold. Salem Youth cannot meet; we cannot invite groups to go through the AIDS X-perience; and the cafe has only recently been able to re-open.

It's been great to welcome back the World Without Limits social club to Salem just recently, with regulations now meaning that they can meet in limited form - for which they are very grateful. But the normal annual season of New Year parties - for them, for various kids from disadvantaged families, and for our students - will certainly not be happening this year.

Meanwhile, a run of key dates have passed without the opportunity to hold any events to raise awareness of them. Instead, Salem staff put together various social media posts to ensure they were nonetheless noted in some way: 1st December which was the International Day of the Fight against HIV/AIDS; 3rd December which was the International Day for People with Disabilities; and 5th December which was the International Day of Volunteering.

We shall see what 2021 holds, but please be assured that Salem is continuing to engage with these social issues and to take action wherever possible - even if it is with a difference.

With thanks and best wishes from everyone at Salem Social Village

PS Thanks too for all those of you who got involved in Giving Tuesday to support Salem last week, what a great day of global fundraising!

International Day of People with Disabilities

Raising awareness of HIV/AIDS during the pandemic

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Sep 14, 2020
Great feedback, and a great opportunity

By Tim Munday | Project Leader

Some of our wonderful flexible English teachers

These are challenging times for all of us. Here at Salem, we continue to do what we can, though restrictions mean that all our English courses have to be online at present and our normal income is down by 30%. All our other social projects are on hold until things open up once more, and we're looking carefully at how else we can invest in people during the present uncertainty.

Our staff have been amazingly responsive, flexible and generous with their time as we've adapted our curriculum materials at short notice! Our clients have also been very understanding, but are as keen as us to get back to in-person activities on site. We know that you are also experiencing your own challenges and uncertainties at this time, however we'd love to make the most of the opportunity next week to make every small donation go a whole lot further.

All this week until Friday 18th, GlobalGiving is matching all online donations up to $50/£38 at 50% - all week, with no limit on matching funds.

We've all learned recently how important the little actions are - whether keeping your distance, washing your hands, or wearing a mask. We want to invite you to join us in celebrating the power of small acts of kindness, and helping Salem continue its great work even during these turbulent times.

PLEASE ACT NOW TO HELP SALEM!

Please note that this matching offer is only valid until the end of Friday, so please don't miss it! Full terms and conditions are available here.

Please also note that donations on the GlobalGiving site can be made in AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP or USD - choose your currency from the drop down menu on the donation details page. Please help us continue to invest in the next generation of leaders here while the matching funding is available. Even small donations will make a bigger difference this week!

Thank you.

The key facts you need to know

Links:

Salem Social Village website

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Jul 14, 2020
Trying to carry on

By Tim Munday | Project Leader

The SalemHub cafe is a great place to spend time!

Dear friends,

Greetings from Kazakhstan! We trust you and your loved ones are staying well in these challenging times.

Here at Salem Social Village, we're now in our second period of lockdown, and so our activities are heavily restricted. However, over the first half of this year we've still been busy!

Salem Youth continued up until lockdown hit in March, with all sorts of fun activities, including fruit art! We also held our annual Essential Teacher Skills conference for English teachers around the city. Once again this was very well attended, with seminars and discussion groups supplementing the various sessions. Unfortunately, we were only able to hold the first of the two days planned as lockdown prevented us continuing, but the feedback from attendees was very positive all the same.

We also just had the chance, before everything halted, to hold a popular local quiz night in the SalemHub cafe. 'Quiz Please!' has become very popular around here, and we ran the very first English version at Salem! Salem staff put together two teams, and everyone had a whole lot of fun.

Meanwhile, we carry on with the normal investment in staff, including our Business Breakfast training, and specific sessions with the teachers. All of our staff have been incredibly flexible as the lockdown regulations have constantly been adjusted, initially going on unpaid leave when we had to close, then running some online replacement courses, then starting a new semester under social distancing rules when lockdown ended, and now shifting to teaching entirely online as the city re-enters lockdown. And the feedback from students and parents continues to be incredibly positive, despite all the upheaval!

All our social projects, including the World Without Limits social club, are entirely on hold at present, and we're waiting to see what the future holds, both financially and in terms of what activities can re-start in due course - just like everyone else right now!

Thanks for your support for Salem!

PS Although this project (Be a changemaker for the forgotten of Central Asia) is now fully funded, we have another project (Inspire the growth of Kazakhstan's Global Citizens) which is still looking for additional funding - please see the link below, and help us make a difference!

The Teachers' Conference in full flow

Sharing feedback from break-out group discussions

Making art ... out of fruit! Lots of fun for all

Teachers busy planning for adjusted courses

Links:

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