Empowering young women in Kyrgyzstan through running

Juniper Kyz is a new initiative created to empower young women in Kyrgyzstan through the sport of running. This social project aims to provide not only a platform for physical growth but also a space for personal development, community building, and increased self-confidence. The project is being run by a diverse group of five young women—Nargiza, Salima and Ayana from Kyrgyzstan, Lily from the United States, and Joy from Canada—who are passionate about sharing their love for running and making it accessible to young women in the country.

Many young women in Kyrgyzstan and other parts of Central Asia face judgement for participating in sports because they are expected to marry young and serve traditional caretaker roles. Topics such as menstruation and mental health are considered taboo and rarely discussed, even between mothers and daughters. Additionally, average monthly income in Kyrgyzstan lies around $365, making good quality running sneakers unaffordable for most.

The name of the project, "Juniper Kyz," is inspired by the juniper trees that grow resiliently in Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous landscapes and symbolize the strength and vitality the project hopes to cultivate in its participants. The word "Kyz" means "girl" in Kyrgyz, reflecting the project’s focus on empowering young women to overcome the social, economic and physical challenges in their lives.

This GoFundMe will support Juniper Kyz’s pilot project in which 15 young women ages 16 to 30 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan will get access to a 3-month long beginner running training program, free running gear, and sessions on nutrition, mental health, menstrual cycle care, recovery, and strength training. The program will culminate in the Run the Silk Road event at Lake Issyk Kul on May 3, 2025, where participants will run in the half marathon, 10K, or 3K.

While the race is a tangible milestone that celebrates the participants’ hard work and dedication, the ultimate goal of the project is to build a strong and supportive community of female athletes who are empowered to create a ripple effect of confidence, resilience, and leadership that will inspire future generations. This project is about more than running—it’s about creating lasting change in the lives of young women and the communities they belong to.

Our budget breakdown:

1. Training expenses (sneakers, post-run snacks, tshirts): $1554

2. Run the Silk Road expenses (registration, transportation, accommodation, food): $2115

3. Other expenses: GoFundMe fees, ATM withdrawal fees: $249

Please feel free to reach out for more information, we'd be happy to answer any questions!

You can also read more in-depth about our project here: https://medium.com/@joystalteri/juniper-kyz-hife-social-project-dec11c09f660

Follow us on Instagram @juniper_kyz!