After a challenging journey—marked by internet communication issues and the complexities of transferring funds across many borders —it has been incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact the new yurts delivered to the cooperative in Chatkal Valley, Kyrgyzstan.
These modern yurts, built using traditional designs, were assembled in the garden of a local villager. Once set up, the cooperative sprang into action, beautifully decorating the interiors with locally made textiles and crafts. Throughout the summer, the yurts attracted many visitors eager to stay and learn about traditional arts and crafts.
Our vision of developing sustainable ecotourism in this remote part of the country has taken off with real momentum—boosted significantly by the National Indepen-dence Day celebrations, which were held nearby in the town of Jalalabad.
As the country prepares for winter, the cooperative is already making exciting plans for the next season. Their vision includes:
- Keeping one yurt as guest accommodation for tourists
- Turning another into a combined kitchen and dining space, where visitors can take part in traditional cooking lessons
- Using one as a gallery and shop for locally made arts and crafts
- Dedicating another yurt to hands-on workshops and masterclasses
The charity’s trustees are thrilled with these developments and look forward to seeing continued progress in the seasons ahead. This project not only supports cultural preservation and local enterprise, but also empowers the community through sustainable tourism.