Gavhar

Gavhar

Uzbekistan, SUSI 2018

Gavhar recruited seventeen volunteers to join her in collecting donations for disabled and low-income children in Tashkent city. The children attend a school that specializes in serving students with intellectual disabilities, most of whom have Down syndrome. Gavhar and her team of volunteers collected 25 units of clothes, 2 pairs of shoes, and 3 backpacks for 30 children who the school director identified as high-need. When they delivered the donations, Gavhar brought sweets and refreshments for all 270 children studying at school and together with her friends they greeted and encouraged each child as they entered their classrooms.

Gavhar reflected on the activity, saying, “This was an impressive event. In Uzbek culture, people tend to conceal everything that is happening inside of them. I have discovered other people with different conditions. I have met those who are mentally strong. I have learned valuable lesson from those people who are not yet adults but already passed harsh difficulties. Moreover, I once more witnessed that life is impossible without up and downs. What impressed me most is the children with disabilities are so active, making efforts to build great future relying on their own courage. These all made me act more and work harder to overcome difficulties in life I am facing.”

Gavhar is planning to replicate this project in the Kashkdarya region of Uzbekistan where many children face socio-economic hardships. Based on feedback from the first iteration of her project, she plans to provide children with much needed school supplies and uniforms.

Gavhar (far right) and volunteers sort and prepare donations.

Volunteers greet students in class.