USAID is working with Kyrgyz authors and artists to develop 1,500 children’s books. The U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan reported.
60 local authors and 30 illustrators received letters of thanks from the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy for their contribution to the development of more than 1,300 new books for children. These books have been adapted and developed as part of Okuu Keremet project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Authors and illustrators participated in intensive USAID-supported book writing, design, layout, review, and revision workshops. During the training sessions, the authors were able to improve their work under the guidance of local and international experts. They mastered Bloom application, which allows to create and adapt e-books.
Since 2020, the authors and illustrators have developed more than 1,300 titles of books in various genres, including fairy tales, comics, encyclopedias and fantasy. These books promote values such as family and friendship, acceptance of diversity, respect, curiosity and creativity.
The books created by the authors are available online on the website of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic and the international electronic Bloom Library.
By 2024, USAID plans to develop another 200 new book titles. Selected books will be printed. About a million copies of these books will be donated to schools and libraries across the country.
USAID Okuu Keremet project aims to improve reading and math learning results for 450,000 primary school students. The project is being implemented in 1,682 public schools.
