©InfoSukyn, 52, lives on the outskirts of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in a tiny house, which was meant to be temporary. She faces serious water shortages, although her house, which is badly in need of repair, is surrounded by many beautiful houses with solid iron fences.
“All of these lovely houses were built by internal migrants,” Sukyn says, pointing at the contrast in homes. “But internal migrants cannot vote during elections, cannot go to hospitals and get necessary medical services. They cannot even place their children in kindergartens without a bribe – all due to the lack of residency registration.
“This is wrong. They are working for the good of the country, doing the dirtiest and heaviest work for this city and its residents for mere pennies and they cannot even access urban benefits.”
Improving vocational skills
Sukyn is a Red Crescent volunteer and has also benefitted from a project which helps vulnerable women improve their social and economic position. The Kyrgyzstan Red Crescent project strengthens women’s vocational skills and educates them on their basic rights and entitlements in society.
After completing a computer literacy course, Sukyn took part in training sessions in life skills, where she learnt about basic human rights and opportunities. She also obtained a certificate as a first aid instructor and now has a special team of first aid volunteers that she trained herself.
Sukyn has now started a library. However, it is not simply a library; it has become the voice of the community and is used to provide a range of information, as well as for holding training sessions on first aid, gender and disability issues.
Red Crescent support
“I used to work as a librarian in Soviet times,” Sukyn explains. “However after the birth of my disabled son, I had to stop working. Now that he is older, I wanted to look for work. The Red Crescent training encouraged me to start my own library.”
Sukyn wrote a letter to the local government to ask for the library to be given official status and was successful. It now receives modest state funding and consists of around 8,500 books.
“Going to the local authorities is something that I never would have done before,” Sukyn explains. “But through the Red Crescent training my confidence increased and now if we face problems I am able to go to the mayor and explain our situation. The authorities have even started coming to me now if they want information on our community.”
Making a difference
Jamilya Shayahmetova, head of the Kyrgyzstan Red Crescent health and social care department, says: “Sukyn is now improving the lives of those in her community not only around gender issues, but through health and first aid, and most importantly she is inspiring others that they too can make a difference. She is passing on her expertise, even teaching disabled children the computer skills she learnt from the Red Crescent.”
Sukyn’s daughter Aijan is also a Red Crescent volunteer. Inspired by her mother, she now wants to become a social worker. Sukyn can use all the help she can get. Listening to her recount her busy daily life, it is easy to forget she also has a disabled husband and son to look after and that she is part of the vulnerable group she is constantly helping.
When complimented on her strength and tireless energy Sukyn replies: “All the women of our country are capable of this. Kyrgyz women are known for their endurance and strength. We will take care of our families, whatever it takes.”
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