My impressions from the meeting in residence
We are not myths from the past, ruins in jungles or zoos.
We are people and we want to be respected and not victims of intolerance and racism. With these words from Rigoberti Menchi I would like to state this composition. They were spoked not in vain and this is clear evidence of the fact that we should be tolerant, fair, and of course objective in our relations with other nationalities, people and surrounding society. The Network "Dolina Mira" unites three sovereign, glorious states: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. And in spite of borders, we closely cooperate amongst ourselves. Although we are in different boats - you in your boat and we in our canoe, we travel in the same river. This is a quote from the leader Oren Lyons from the USA. I am in completely agreement with him. We have our own laws, traditions, way of thinking, but we all live on one land in the united Fergana Valley. We know that "One in the field, no war" and we try to help each other. To get to know each other, to communicate, to grow and to respect - these are our principles. In essence peace or the conditions where peace can grow are impossible unless we recognize the rights of other people, their importance, their virtues and acknowledge our shared understanding that is present throughout the world. From this we can conclude that without tolerance we cannot live. And as you know "Children are our future" and our "Dolina Mira" for five years has taught and presented the interests of children of the Fergana Valley. "Dolina Mira" has found the seed of society and implements its projects, announce competitions, arranges holidays, and as a whole in my pinion works under the slogan "Young People are not a problem, but a resource." Now I want to share my impressions, my glee about the last meeting in the presidential residence. Projects were developed and implemented by the school kids themselves, and then presented at the forum. The mobilization which was extremely important for the transition of 2-3 years from war to peace, demands the participation of every person. For changes to happen in the world everyone must participate, as the director of UNESCO said. I think that this meeting is the first step towards peace. Magnificent projects were presented, as well as interesting events, an exchange of experience, and incomparable interaction.
The project of school 23 of Tajikistan "Contribution to the development of girls participation in school" particularly surprised and interested me. I was in emotional shock, in a magical trance. It was very pleasant to see youths worried and not indifferent to this large program affecting your girls. They have developed a strong mentality and the centuries-old customs of their location. Less than ideal, but tangible results were achieved. But after the project "Dolina Mira", everything changes, and residents looked that situation with different eyes. The understood that we are in the 21st century and this is the century of 'gender equality'; they also understood that exactly this problem is very serious and demands solutions quickly.
In general, people I hope will respect. Other projects were unquestionably done at a high level. So much was introduced into these schools: parliaments, radios, newspapers - these are necessary for schools, I know for myself. I am already finishing school and during my time there have tried radio djing, working in the school journal "Ostrovok KM" as a writer and editor, chairperson of the SP, secretary of the SP, president of the SP, actress in school events, host of the nominations for "Best host", debate trainer, dancer and Miss School 2009. After the meeting I was in a very positive working mood, although exhausted. It was pleasant like sun, interesting like the universe, and surprising like the galaxy. Remember my poems? In them I open a part of my emotions, feelings and in this composition as well. But I assure you that much remains in my soul and will be preserved there forever. In debates there is an evaluation for what is better than good and excellent - this is superior and I evaluate this meeting as superior.
But unfortunately, I am out of words to describe what was magnificent. Good job "Dolina Mira". Thank you to the donors and coordinators of the project "Dolina Mira." Please continue in this spirit - competitions, camps, seminars, meetings, projects, etc. No, I don't think that this level will remains; it will keep getting higher and higher.
Gulnara Baltaeva
Student School No. 2 Kizeil-Kiya, Batken Oblast
flo061@rambler.ru, flo061@mai.ru
0773606115, (03657)50160
Meeting in Osh
What, where, why? Or how the seminar went in the city of Osh
We are all curious in our core. Agree with me that you have very recently asked your friends the question, "When?" And what is most interesting we ask the same questions - "What? Where? When? Why? Who?" And that's how it should be, that you would receive answers to every question concerning the unforgettable meeting of students of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. "April 26th, 2009. South residence of the president of Kyrgyzstan, Osh. 33 students from different city of the republics already in the hall. 7-8 hour drive from Tajikistan, horrid roads from Batken oblast, but on the faces of the children not own drop of fatigue - only smiles! I am a student from Aga Khan school, from Osh city itself This was my first seminar and for me everything was new and interesting. Presentations of school projects soon started. 10 schools, 10 projects. Oh I forgot to say the meeting was held through the project "Fergana Valley is our common home", and the organizers were the Network "Dolina Mira" with support from the Danish Refugee Council. Prior to this in the Fergana Valley, a small grants competition was held among the schools and at the meeting all those students who received grants to carry out projects participated.
The presentation of the projects lasted almost an entire day, but to us that day seemed to last all of an hour. We didn't even have time to ask questions. Many of us decided to work more together in the future, for example to create a common Kyrgyz-Tajiki school newspaper. I learned so much new information from students who are now my friends from other cities! During this meeting, I learned not just about how to create a parliament in school, but also about the culture of our neighbors from Tajikistan. About their life, customs and traditions. In our turn, it was very nice to talk about the culture of our country. After all to talk about this during school is one thing, but to tell listeners that are actually interested is another. And I was surprised to discover that our traditions are very similar. The Fergana Valley is our common home. We have common ancestors, we live next o each other, but over the course of many years, we more rarely speak with one another. The borders and our laziness create obstacles for this. The creative fruit of this competition was my writing about the Fergana Valley. This expedition in the city will stay with me my whole life. For all this time, my circle of friends clearly increased and at the end I didn't want to say goodbye to them.
For me this meeting was not juvenile or without thought. On the contrary, this was very important for me. It enjoyed the idea of the project which included participation from not only adults by also teenagers. Life goes on with one leg with time. But no one knows how it will change in the near future. But we are sure of one thing - the future is in our hands!
Nurmatova Naciba, Osh