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Success Story
USAID program provides
local man the tools to
give back
Remote Kyrgyz Community Benefits from New Ideas
Photo: Community Connection
Sagyndyk Chekirbaev, CC alumnus in
front of the newly built Community
Mosque in Naryn town
In 2008, Sagyndyk Chekirbaev
visited Chicago as part of a
USAID Community Connections
program. In 2009, he opened a
mosque and small business in
Kyrgyzstan.
Upon returning from the United States, Sagyndyk Chekirbaev
has become both a religious leader and an entrepreneur. He
has succeeded in building a mosque in his community using
volunteer labor and his own funds garnered from the sale of his
car. Chekirbaev is one of the ten Kyrgyzstan participants who
travelled to Chicago for a USAID program. Now, back at home,
he is carrying out an action plan that focuses on religious
education and community development.
Since their independence from the former Soviet Union, Kyrgyz
people have a renewed interest in religion, but its place in this
constitutionally secular society remains to be seen.
Chekirbaev had long held plans for his community, such as
building a mosque and establishing a shelter for orphans with
the support of donor organizations. But sustainability was an
obstacle he had yet to overcome.
In spring of 2008, Chekirbaev visited Chicago with a group of
religious leaders. Program participants visited private schools
operated by various religious groups and public schools.
Cooperation among both individuals and organizations from the
secular and religious communities were of special interest to
him.
“I had unfinished and unclear ideas for establishing a mosque
and shelter but did not have clear steps that would help me to
realize my plans. Thanks to Community Connections program, I
have developed a realistic plan and reached my goals within a
short period,” Chekirbaev said.
His action plan included the steps needed to establish a
mosque in his community and open a small business. The
newly-established mosque has hot water, heating, showers, a
kitchen, a dining room, and an inside toilet which are all
uncommon in Naryn. Top religious and government officials
attended the mosque’s opening ceremony in December 2009.
Chekirbaev also opened a small car service center where four
men are employed.
His next steps include the opening of a shelter for 15 to 20
orphans and a school which will teach not only religious
disciplines but also secular subjects such as those he saw in
the U.S. Print-friendly version of this page (533kb - PDF)
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