Kazakhstan projects receives funding from NATO Charity Bazaar

For the first time in the history of the participation of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Belgium and the Mission to NATO in the NATO Charity Bazaar, held at the end of 2020, two projects from Kazakhstan received funding totaling 13,155 euros. The official online ceremony for the presentation of the NATO Bazaar Symbolic Certificates will take place on 29 January 2021.

The total amount of collected funds of the Bazaar amounted to 133.125 thousand euros. They were distributed among 10 charity projects in Belgium and 19 international projects. According to the organizers of the event, this became possible "thanks to the great work of the representatives of the member states and partner states, who joined forces to make the first ever online bazaar successful."

The main outcome of participation in the Bazaar was the provision of funds to two Kazakhstan’s organizations that participated in the competition for the consideration of applications - the Public Fund "Special World" (Semey) and the Public Fund "World of Equal Opportunities" (Nur-Sultan).

The project of the Public Foundation "Special World" presented the work on the organization and equipping of the sensory-dynamic hall for the development of sensory-motor integration in children with various neuropsychiatric disorders, including the autism spectrum. This includes the acquisition of development modules, balancing modules and sensor-dynamic complexes.

PF "World of Equal Opportunities" presented a project to expand the network of adaptive sports clubs for children with disabilities, in particular, the cost of purchasing equipment for playing boccia (a paralympic sport).

This event became special - the decision to hold the Bazaar online became a kind of challenge for all participants, including the Kazakhstan team. In a short time, an electronic catalog of products with photographs and a detailed description of each product was prepared, work was organized to place online orders and delivering them, taking into account the observance of the current restrictive measures in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The spouses of the employees of the Embassy of Kazakhstan and the Mission to NATO have been participating in the work of the Bazaar since 2014. It should be noted that fundraising is not a one-day event. The work is carried out throughout the year - this is the sale of products of national cuisine, preparation by the efforts of craftsman - jewelry, toys, as well as the selection and delivery of national souvenirs to Belgium at the expense of employees' own funds.

NATO Charity Bazaar (NCB) is a non-profit charity organization founded in 1967 by the spouses of NATO employees. The first official bazaar was held two years later in 1969 and featured a variety of unique handicrafts brought from many countries. Currently, the NCB is made up of volunteers from 42 countries, including NATO member states and various NATO programs, including the Partnership for Peace, of which the Republic of Kazakhstan is the participant.