Bulat Utemuratov’s Foundation allocated more than KZT 6 billion for charity projects in 2019

In 2018, Bulat Utemuratov’s Foundation adopted a strategy to diversify projects and expand its charitable activities, which it successfully implemented over the past year. According to Almaz Sharman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the Foundation worked on nine projects in the field of education, health, culture, science, support for victims of natural disasters and man-made disasters, and construction of houses for those in need in 2019.

“Autism. One world for all” flagship program has been implemented since 2015, and a network of Asyl Miras autism centers has been created within the framework of this program. Specialists trained according to the best world methods help children with autism spectrum disorder to develop the necessary skills: social, communication and life skills. “In 2019, the number of Asyl Miras centers increased to eight. In addition to the centers in Nur-Sultan, Almaty, Aktobe, Kyzylorda, Uralsk and Ust-Kamenogorsk, we opened new centers in Shymkent and Petropavlovsk. In total, over 6 thousand children were enrolled in the Asyl Miras programs over five years, of which more than 2.5 thousand children were enrolled in 2019. All the services of Asyl Miras autism centers are free,” said Mr. Sharman.
The management of the Foundation decided to support government initiatives aimed at solving housing problems for citizens in need. By the decision of the founder, the Balameken project was launched, according to which the houses were built at the expense of the Foundation in Kyzylorda for 100 large families living in unsuitable conditions. Later, in connection with the events in Arys, the project was expanded, and the Foundation built the houses for 100 families in this city. The houses were built for Arys residents who lost their houses as a result of explosions in the ammunition depot, large families, single-parent families, orphans, and disabled people. The total amount allocated for houses construction was KZT 1.3 billion. “This is a vivid example of how unindifferent and patriotic citizens help their native state improve the lives of their compatriots,” said Olzhas Suleimenov, member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, poet, writer, literary historian, social and political activist, and diplomatist.
The previously announced project for reconstruction of the Main Botanical Garden in Almaty entered its active phase. Work on renewing the garden infrastructure, improving its territory, and planting new plants is nearing completion. According to Marat Aitmagambetov, Director of the Bulat Utemuratov’s Foundation, the main principles of the project are careful attitude to plants, as well as complete openness and transparency. “The project was initially agreed at public hearings with participation of representatives of the Akimat, Public Council under the Akimat, and the media. This year we created two volunteer groups consisting of unindifferent citizens. The first group exercises public control over the reconstruction, and the second one will be engaged in planting during the coming spring,” said Mr. Aitmagambetov.
Jointly with the Red Crescent of Kazakhstan, the Foundation implements the Aid Card project, according to which assistance was provided to victims of floods in Karaganda, North Kazakhstan, Akmola and Almaty regions during the year. Financial help in the total amount of KZT 54 million was received by more than 400 families, including people whose houses were damaged, single pensioners, disabled people, single mothers and large families with low income. Besides, 2 thousand victims of the explosions in Arys received monetary support in the total amount of KZT 60 million.
The largest charity event in the country, the Burabike 2019 sports and music festival, broke all records of previous years. Due to the new format and the expanded two-day program, more than 4 thousand persons took part in the event. The amount of charitable donations amounted to KZT 300.2 million. This money will be spent for purchase of medical equipment for four district hospitals in the country regions, two regional hospitals, office of psychological and pedagogical correction “Autism. One World for All” in Petropavlovsk, as well as the Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics in Nur-Sultan.
For two years, Bulat Utemuratov’s Foundation has supported all projects of the Batyrkhan Shukenov’s Foundation aimed at preserving and developing the artist’s creative heritage. These include the publication of music-sheets of Batyr songs in the Kazakh language, full collection of albums with all his solo work, the award of scholarships for gifted students of musical universities and schools, and holding of the music contest named after Batyrkhan Shukenov. Zhaniya Aubakirova, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, shared her impressions of the Gala Concert of the II Republican Contest of brass and percussion performers: “I was full of cordial and very best impressions. This is a great thing for instrumental performance in the field of brass music. It’s hard to overestimate how well the contest and concert were organized!”
In 2020, Bulat Utemuratov’s Foundation will continue the adopted strategy and will deepen the ongoing projects. In particular, the organization aims to continue opening the Asyl Miras autism centers in the cities of the country in cooperation with local government bodies.
“We consider work with young people a promising direction. Firstly, we want to draw attention to the issues of an inclusive society, in particular, to involve young people with special needs in social life through the projects in the field of culture and sports. Secondly, we intend to develop social entrepreneurship among young people. We see that this is a global trend that Kazakhstan is already picking up. Thirdly, we are aimed at promoting a culture of charity, for which we are actively involved in the initiatives to improve relevant legislation and integrate charitable organizations in our country and region,” said Marat Aitmagambetov, Director of Bulat Utemuratova’s Foundation.