NRCST Volunteers Participate in Summer Camp in Kyrgyzstan

From July 14 to 18, an international summer camp for volunteers of the Red Crescent National Societies of Central Asia took place in the picturesque Chuy region of Kyrgyzstan, at the yurt-style ethno complex “Alakush.” The camp brought together participants from six countries — Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan — as well as special guests from the Turkish Red Crescent.

Volunteers from the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan (NRCST) took an active role in the camp, the central theme of which was media and digital skills for volunteers. Participants attended intensive training sessions on media literacy, content creation, social media management, and discussed the role of media in promoting humanitarian values and advocating for volunteer rights.

The sessions were led by professional trainers from Compass College, and a special highlight was meetings with notable cultural figures — Bakhtiyar Matyanyu, director at “1.1 Studio,” and Ayim Ayilchieva, a singer and eco-activist. They shared their personal journeys in creative expression and inspired participants to launch their own artistic and meaningful initiatives.

As part of the cultural program, the volunteers took part in a hands-on workshop on assembling a traditional Kyrgyz yurt. They participated in the setup process, learning about the construction, symbolism, and cultural significance of the yurt in Kyrgyz society.

One of the camp’s core activities was the creative reinterpretation of the works of Chingiz Aitmatov. On the very first day, participants were divided into teams that included both youth and adults from different countries and regions. Each team was named after one of Aitmatov’s works and prepared a creative performance based on it — including short plays, videos, and live performances. This approach not only encouraged self-expression but also offered a deeper understanding of the themes present in the legendary author’s stories.

Participants also had the opportunity to present volunteer initiatives from their National Societies, sharing experiences in first aid, youth engagement, education, and social support projects.

“This camp gave us not only new knowledge and inspiration but also real friends from neighboring countries. We truly felt how powerful the unity of volunteers can be when we are driven by a shared goal — helping others,” shared participants from Turkmenistan.

The international summer camp in Kyrgyzstan served as a vibrant platform for experience exchange, cultural dialogue, and strengthening friendship among young volunteers across Central Asia. Participants returned home with fresh ideas and the motivation to bring positive change to their communities.