Over the last few years our company has been active on various fronts in assisting both the local administration as well as liaising directly with the Chatkal communities. The company has and will continue to focus its involvement with the local communities in four main areas: health, education, employment creation and the environment. A survey commissioned in 2010 identified areas where intervention and support in those areas will have the greatest positive impact. The survey findings will be used to prioritise what the company can do to improve the quality of life of the residents of the Chatkal valley.
Working with the local Communities An effective local administration is a vital element of functioning communities. It should ensure infrastructure maintenance and the provision of critical health and veterinary services in a community where most of the population is involved in animal husbandry. In order to augment the income of the local administration Chaarat has registered its subsidiaries locally and has reached an agreement that its land usage fees and other fees will be paid directly to the local administration, thereby becoming a significant local taxpayer.
In 2010 the company paid for improvements to the buildings housing the regional and local administration which were in a state of poor repair.
Kiyal, the local TV station, broadcasts the main source of regional information for the Chatkal residents. To ensure the continuation of a good quality service to residents we provided new video equipment.
During the sad events of June, in the south of the country, local communities received assistance in bringing back home members of family, especially students, who were caught up in the situation.
Health
The company has provided the local medical centre with a four wheel drive vehicle which ensures help can be provided to residents in all weathers and difficult off road locations can be accessed. Assistance was also provided to the district hospital and in particular to local veterans of the Second World War.
Education
We are still assessing how we can provide sustainable assistance to the local schools. 2010’s "Back to School" saw all 510 of the first year primary school students receive school kits to mark the occasion. Each kit included a school backpack complete with school supplies. This modest start will hopefully mark increasing involvement and support of local schools. At the request of the administration special assistance was given to single parent families in surrounding villages to ease the difficulty of sending children to school.
Chaarat has established scholarships for local students to attend higher education in the mining engineering or geology disciplines. Each year five students are selected and their tuition is fully paid by the company. The students, subject to achievements, are then offered work opportunities with Chaarat.
Employment Creation
Shyrdaks, a type of felt carpet, are one of the most admired aspects of Kyrgyz culture. A project aimed at reviving the craft amongst the Chatkal communities will hopefully start this spring following training and preparation by the staff of ChatkalOrdo, who will provide financial help with marketing and quality control to the local women.
A significant recruitment and training campaign has also been initiated and, by the end of 2011, the company expects to have created a meaningful number of jobs in the Chatkal valley as a direct consequence of its involvement in the area.
Environment
The Besh Aral nature reserve just north of the Chaarat licence area is an area of outstanding natural beauty and ecological significance. The company has been working with the environmental protection committee and provided direct assistance both financially and in the provision of seedlings to the Besh Aral management.