ALUMNI QUOTES: Community Connections – Central Asia

Kazakhstan:

“I liked how American society is attracted to such issues; once neighbors noted the suspect with a neighbor and called the police and prevented the possible crime where the victim was a teenage girl.  I also liked how the police, state government and NGOs are cooperating in solving such issues on the same levels.”  (Galina Morozova, Kazakhstan)

“USAID’s Community Connections Program gave me new ideas and knowledge, as well as new energy to improve life for the disabled” (Lyazzat Kaltayeva, Kazakhstan).

“When I visited universities and mass media outlets in the United States, the idea how to professionalize the Kazakh media came to mind” (Zhanna Prashkevich)

“During the equipment installation procedure and in the first steps of running the center in Shymkent, we applied our US experience, since it is very developed in the U.S.A.” (Galymzhan Abish, Kazakhstan)

Kyrgyzstan:

“There were lots of ideas on religious education reforms, but I was not sure about the ways of resolving.  Participation in Community Connections program helped me to be very clear with the issues and their resolving ways.” (Nazgul Asangozhoeva, Kyrgyzstan)

“I think that all these changes in my life happened thanks to Community Connection Program and my experience in America opens perspectives and opportunities for solving many issues in my country”. (Ms. Svetlana Mamytova, Kyrgyzstan)

“Thanks to USAID program I learned that one should have experiences in other cultures in order to be more advanced in own culture.” (Mahamatkarim Matmuratov, Kyrgyzstan)

“I’m proud of being Community Connections program alumna. Three weeks experience in the U.S. gave me lots of confidence in men-dominated environments.” (Gulnara Derbisheva, Kyrgyzstan)

Tajikistan:

A USAID study program to the U.S. state of North Carolina, which brought together hospital managers from Tajikistan, inspired Gafur Kamilov to change reporting procedures in his hospital department, resulting in more available time for patient care and treatment. (Gafur Kamilov, Tajikistan)

“A U.S. study tour, organized by Community Connections program, helps introduce new city planning standards in Tajikistan.”  (Gani Hakimov, Tajikistan)

“After my trip to the U.S., I have become more confident in promoting gender equality. I saw that women there are so active. We should also be more active.” (Faroghat Mumindzanova, Tajikistan)

Turkmenistan:

“My trip to the U.S. helped me understand the need to develop internal tourism in Turkmenistan and promote infrastructure development.”  (Zalina Rossoshanskaya, Turkmenistan)

"Meetings with U.S. businessmen have considerably changed my worldview." (Serdar Chovdurbayev, Turkmenistan)

“I had a chance to see what I read and learned about...  I had a wonderful opportunity to observe a whole system and learn how it operates. The visit was extremely useful because American colleagues were very hospitable and shared a lot of information.” (Dovletgeldi Chopanov, Turkmenistan)

“A U.S. study tour, organized by Community Connections program, helps introduce new city planning standards in Tajikistan.”  (Gani Hakimov, Tajikistan)