Ian is working as a Partnerships Fellow in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, as part of AKFC’s International Youth Fellowship (IYF) program. Supported by the Government of Canada, the IYF program is one of the many ways Canadians can get involved in global development. Since 1989, more than 550 individuals have participated in the program to learn about development contexts and challenges and to partner with local institutions to jointly change people’s lives for the better.
Read Ian's Dispatch to learn about his Fellowship experience.
In the rugged and remote border regions of southern Kyrgyzstan, international support is quietly making a powerful difference—reaching deep into communities at the crux of historic, environmental, social, and cultural relations that reflect in everyday life.
As part of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Partnerships team, I had the opportunity to travel to the Kyrgyz borderlands with colleagues from the Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP) and partners from the PATRIP Foundation, a Germany-based organization focused on stabilizing fragile border regions.
Although the two governments have made significant progress towards clear border demarcations, overlapping land claims and demand for critical natural resources challenges the agricultural sector and livelihoods for those who live along the border.
To strengthen the stability and resilience of these border regions, the PATRIP Foundation is supporting AKF and MSDSP to rehabilitate schools and kindergartens with crucial heating, sanitation, and kitchen equipment, as well as providing training to teachers on improving students’ communication and collaboration skills to support inclusive classrooms and communities.
The adventurous journey through the remote Kyrgyz borderlands was itself a learning experience for me and the PATRIP team, as well as an opportunity for us to witness the impact of the first PATRIP projects in Kyrgyzstan. The schools selected for support are more than educational centres—they are cornerstones for rapidly growing communities, many of which face significant challenges compounded by fast-growing populations.
My role within the Partnerships team is to build relationships that foster trust and collaboration. This role isn’t just vital for AKF and our partners—it’s key to building rapport with local officials to advance projects, gain community support, and work with other organizations to create lasting impact.
Each of these relationships presents challenges. One intense discussion revolved around the use of coal to heat schools, a contentious issue in a world grappling with climate crises. Given the environmental issues that deeply affect Kyrgyzstan, such as soil erosion, landslides, and water scarcity, our partners advocated for the use of renewable energy sources like wind or solar to heat the schools. Yet, in these rural villages, locals were insistent that coal remains the most practical option, being readily available, cost effective, and more reliable.
These interactions underscored the complexities of international development and the importance of balancing global sustainability goals with local realities. It is essential for those of us from outside Kyrgyzstan to embrace these nuances and seek practical compromises that meet local needs while aiming for sustainable solutions.
Visiting each school was a grand occasion, with our hosts always greeting us with boorsok—delicious fried dough bites served with local honey or butter—and an array of fresh and dried fruits. Being a generous host is an essential part of the Kyrgyz spirit, and we left each site not just with knowledge and impactful stories, but also with memories of the warmth and hospitality we were received with.
This trip gave me a better understanding of the role that international support plays in fostering stability and development in a region that faces many challenges.
As I continue to work with our partners to develop a strong and prosperous Kyrgyzstan, I also look forward to returning to these schools, hopeful that these projects will continue to create meaningful change and build pathways for peace and progress along one of the region’s most complex borders.
Note: Since the writing of this article, the Kyrgyz and Tajik governments have come to a historic agreement, paving the way for further cooperation.
Photos: Ian Stone / AKFC
Credits:
Ian Stone / AKFC