In rural areas of Kyrgyzstan, domestic violence is considered a norm. Bride abduction is a tradition and many women are forced into arranged marriages. Women are not just physically abused, they are oppressed emotionally, and economically. Reaching out for help is seen as shameful in most places so women keep quiet and suffer for years. We constantly hear of extreme domestic violence cases that sometimes lead to death and suicide . Unfortunately, local governments cannot provide humanitarian shelter for abused women, leaving them one-on-one with their abusers.

The Aryyjan organization in Karakol provides support to battered women across the region. We help provide shelter, job training, and basic supplies needed for these women to care for their children.

The shelter located in Karakol is a small, 2-bedroom house with a maximum capacity of 8 women. We are in the process of creating a 2nd shelter in a small village called Ak-Suu. The local government in Ak-Suu has given us a building but it needs a complete renovation. This new shelter in Ak-Suu village will ease the accessibility for rural women and serve as an assistance center. Having it all under one roof will enable women to have security and the training needed to become independent.

The operational costs including skills building trainings are conducted in the framework of a project funded by the UN Volunteer Fund to End Contemporary Forms of Slavery. We are planning on continuing to teach women sewing skills that enable them to get employment in and outside Karakol.

The building is a former kindergarten with 14 rooms, 400 square meters in size. As the building was not in use for years, it needs a complete renovation. Funds raised will be used to renovate roofing, windows, electricity and heating, interior and façade, floors, doors, water, fencing and more.

Roofing - $ 6875

Windows - $3168

facade - $2124

electricity - $1136

heating system - $5041

interior walls - $9282

bathroom/shower - $1498

floors - 4030

doors - $1738

water - $1183

bars - $810

fencing - $2011

cornice - $692

fundraising platform fee - $3144

Anything you can share will help these women and their families. Please help us bring peace and quiet to the abused women of Issyk-Kul region.