In Kyrgyzstan, Solidarity Mobilizes Against Mask Shortages
The Kyrgyz are known to travelers as an exceptionally welcoming people, always ready to help and lend a hand. This spirit of generosity is no exception when it comes to Covid-19.
The Kyrgyz are known to travelers as an exceptionally welcoming people, always ready to help and lend a hand. This spirit of generosity is no exception when it comes to Covid-19. Original and solidarity-driven initiatives are flowing in to find solutions.
A Sewing Workshop Run by Women with Cancer
It was first a workshop of women with cancer that took matters into their own hands by offering to sew reusable fabric masks. All the seamstresses of "Together for Life" are themselves patients or survivors. All proceeds from sales are used to purchase the necessary medications for these women's expensive chemotherapy treatment. As they say, "killing two birds with one stone."
"We try to make quality masks because we know better than anyone how important it is to be in good health," they write on their Facebook page. Faced with an influx of orders, other solidarity workshops have stepped up: another workshop of women with cancer, "Kurdash Workshop," and the "Social Sewing Workshop," comprised of young orphans.
Moved by these efforts to help communities, many Kyrgyz have decided to help these workshops in return by offering to volunteer or by donating sewing machines.
Free Mask Distribution in City Streets
Another example of solidarity, pharmaceutical company Santo freely distributed over 15,000 masks in the streets of Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital, to encourage citizens to help one another. "Those who have already visited our country always emphasize the kindness and generosity of the Kyrgyz people. We ourselves know that no one here is abandoned when they need help. It is our first instinct. And this is why we decided to distribute masks for free, to send an understandable signal to everyone. We are together, and together, we will get through this," the company stated.
Crowdfunding, Equipment Purchases, Aid to the Elderly...
Kyrgyzstan also launched a crowdfunding campaign to fight coronavirus. Politicians, business leaders, and ordinary citizens have already contributed. Some people volunteered to purchase testing kits and protective equipment for healthcare workers. Volunteers are also organizing to shop for and deliver essential goods to the elderly.
As the Kyrgyz say: "Friendship conquers all" (Ырыс алды ынтымак "Yrys aldy yntymak").
Frequently asked questions
Faced with mask shortages, the Kyrgyz demonstrated remarkable solidarity: sewing workshops run by women with cancer manufactured reusable fabric masks, pharmaceutical company Santo freely distributed over 15,000 masks in the streets of Bishkek, and a national crowdfunding campaign was launched to support healthcare workers.
'Together for Life' is a sewing workshop composed of women with cancer or survivors. During the Covid-19 crisis, they manufactured reusable fabric masks and used the proceeds to finance their chemotherapy treatments.
The Kyrgyz proverb 'Yrys aldy yntymak' (Ырыс алды ынтымак) translates to 'Friendship conquers all.' It perfectly illustrates the values of mutual aid and solidarity that lie at the heart of Kyrgyz culture.
Yes, Kyrgyzstan is renowned among travelers for the legendary hospitality of its inhabitants. This cultural trait was particularly evident during the Covid-19 pandemic, when citizens, businesses, and organizations mobilized spontaneously to help the most vulnerable.
Several ways were possible to contribute: donating to the national crowdfunding campaign, ordering masks from solidarity workshops such as 'Together for Life' or 'Kurdash Workshop,' volunteering, or donating sewing equipment to the workshops.
