From environmental actions to search operations: what volunteers in the Karaganda region are talking about

From environmental actions to search operations and assistance to people with disabilities, various areas of volunteer activity were discussed in the Karaganda region. The first day of the Volunteer Forum was held in Karaganda. Active youth, representatives of public organizations and charitable foundations met to share their experiences and discuss new projects aimed at solving social problems.

The forum is dedicated to the International Year of Volunteers. The organizers are the Youth Resource Center of the Karaganda region and the Department of Youth Policy.

Current projects and new initiatives in the field of the volunteer movement were presented at the plenary session. Ardana Myrzanova, head of the front office of volunteers of the Karaganda region, presented a digital passport of a volunteer. This tool will allow you to systematize information about volunteerism and take into account the participation of volunteers in various social projects.

— A passport is required so that volunteers can visit the website and track current events and their ratings in real time. This simplifies communication and allows you to obtain reliable information directly from primary sources. In addition, the portal provides special bonuses for volunteers," Ardana said.

The topic of inclusive volunteerism was raised by Gaukhar Akizhanova, co-founder of the Batyl jureq Charitable Foundation. She noted that the development of volunteer initiatives helps to create a more open and accessible environment for people with disabilities and expands their opportunities to participate in public life.

Aimira Bagramova, head of the volunteer staff at the Kemel Keleshek youth organization, spoke about the development of corporate volunteerism.

Damir Salimov, the founder of the Asar Astana search and rescue team, shared his practical experience of the search movement. He spoke about the work of volunteers involved in the search for missing people, and how cooperation with government agencies and the public is being built.

The participants were also presented with other successful cases of the development of the volunteer movement in the region. After that, there was a discussion on the involvement of young people in socially significant activities.

Aruzhan Shynarbek, a student at the Karaganda University of Kazpotrebsoyuz, says she came to volunteer to benefit her hometown. Together with her team, she helps the elderly, visits nursing homes and orphanages, and participates in various actions.

— I want to be not just an observer, but an active citizen who participates in the public life of the city. We recently visited the Umit rehabilitation center for children with developmental problems. We played with the guys, gave them gifts, and had a very good time," the girl says. – I am very pleased that more and more attention has been paid to volunteerism recently, including at the state level.

The initiative "Saryarka volonterlerin khartiyasy" was also presented.

Then the work continued in thematic sections. The participants discussed environmental volunteerism within the framework of the Clean Kazakhstan republican campaign, issues of civic responsibility and volunteer participation in ensuring public safety, the development of inclusive projects, as well as social and medical initiatives and volunteer training.