Football Match Benefits Kyrgyz Children

The final score of the football (soccer) match on October 27 was four to one. But that hardly mattered, because the real victors in Bishkek’s Spartak Stadium were Kyrgyz orphans who will get winter clothing and boots as a result of the money raised that day.

The Third Annual Charity Football Match, which took place at Bishkek’s Spartak Stadium, featured alumni of government-sponsored exchange programs and representatives from many other international organizations.  During the game, spectators were also treated to vocal performances by young Kyrgyz singers and dancers from the American University of Central Asia.

IREX staff initiated the idea of a charity sporting event in 2005 and selected the Uch-Korgon orphanage as a beneficiary because it is one of the most remote and underserved orphanages in the country. Over $1,100 was raised this year, not only from suggested donations at the football match, but also from a silent auction of the orphans’ artwork. In addition, the Soros Foundation, the US embassy, and an online retailer contributed books for the orphanage's 76 children.

Exchange Program Networking

The football match was only the beginning of a daylong series of events for exchange-program alumni, as former participants in the Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program, a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State and administred by IREX, from both Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic were on hand for a “re-entry” workshop.  Nearly 35 alumni gathered in the afternoon for discussions with representatives of academic, business, and nongovernmental organizations. Panelists provided advice on job searching and professional development.

That evening, panelists and alumni, along with representatives of the Kyrgyz government and other business and community leaders attended a reception at the Hyatt Regency Bishkek. The US ambassador, Marie L. Yovanovich, welcomed the guests and spoke to the value of international exchanges.

The Muskie program was established in 1992 to encourage economic and democratic growth in Eurasia. The program provides opportunities for graduate students and professionals from across the region for one- or two-year study programs in the United States.