Capturing Russia from white to black, north to south, east to west

Posts Tagged "ngo"

Myrzabek: Kyrgyz NGO Volunteer

Myrzabek: Kyrgyz NGO Volunteer

BISHKEK: Myrzabek, 17, was wearing a sweater that read ‘’We are different, We are equal’’ while he helped his dad sell goods in the street underpass in Bishkek. I asked him what the sweater and expression referred to. He said he is a volunteer in a organization that tries to ‘’unite people’’ of various ethnicities. He said he takes part in trainings at schools and universities, especially in the Jalal-Abad region that borders Uzbekistan. I asked why he is volunteering when he could spend his time hanging out with friends or playing sports. ‘’I was born there [Jalal-Abad]. There were terrible [ethnic] fights. It is possible that a village will be split between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz. They may go to the same school, but not talk with each other,'' he said. ''We want to them to study and play together so the fighting isn’t repeated.'' Myrzabek, who helps his dad after school, wants to dtudy physics at university.''

Refugee from Uzbekistan

Refugee from Uzbekistan

Moscow Portrait: Normally, I walk up to people and ask to take their photos. He walked up to me as I ate a pirozhki near a Kiosk and asked "are you a journalist?" I have been asked that quite alot over the years in Russia and I assume it is because I am a foreigner carrying a camera in a non-touristic neighborhood/region. He told me an interesting story, though I have not sought to verify it. He said he was from Bukhara in Uzbekistan and fled for fear of arrest. He said he often criticized his government, that one of his brothers is in jail while another is living in my hometown of Brooklyn, having received political asylum. He said he hopes to get political asylum in Europe or the US. In the meantime, he lives in Moscow working as a volunteer at an NGO.