“A loving home for every child”: 25 years of SOS Children’s Village in Astana

This year, SOS Children’s Village in Astana celebrated its 25th anniversary – an event that is supported not only by educators and children, but also by those who have supported and developed this unique model of family education for many years.

One of the key partners is the Halyk charity foundation, founded by Timur and Dinara Kulibayev. The foundation provided systemic support for the development of the village and the launch of new formats of work with young people: integrated teenage homes, programs to support families in difficult life situations, inbusiness.kz reports.

A Family that lasts a quater of a century

“At the celebration held at the International School Miras, those who had become family came together: children, alumni, staff, foster parents, and partners. The hall was filled with hugs, flowers, tears, and the word heard most often from children — ‘mom.’ The stage resembled a family reunion: graduates shared stories, showed photos of their children, and expressed gratitude to those who stood by them in difficult times.

“Here we were taught to love and be loved,” they repeated.

The destinies that were formed here

Over 25 years, more than 200 children have received education services in the village. Today, they are independent, confident adults. Sultan Zheniskhan, one of the first graduates of the village and now an entrepreneur, spoke with warm words:

“I’m glad to be a part of this celebration. Growing up here helped me become who I am.”

“Without this support, we could have gone down a completely different path. Here we were taught to value care and build our future. Today I have a family, a child, a home – and it all started here,” added another graduate of the village, Islam Ruchkin.

A time-tested model

The village model is based on a family system: children live in homes with their foster parents, attend regular schools, and engage in creative activities and sports. Currently, the village cares for almost 90 children.

“The main thing for us is not just to raise them, but to prepare them for life,” says the village director, Gulnar Uskenbaeva.

Integrated Teenage Homes: A step into Adulthood

In 2025, a group integrated teenage home opened at SOS Children’s Village Astana, located in a modern residential complex. This is a new direction that helps teenagers gradually enter into independent adult life – but with the support of mentors and their “home village”. Similar homes are already operating at SOS Children’s Villages Almaty and Temirtau.

— This year we launched integrated youth homes — a new initiative for youth development that is important not only for Astana, but for all of Kazakhstan. It is a new format of supporting teenagers: they learn independence, try living in an adult urban environment, yet always know that support from mentors and their SOS village is close by. Many of the projects we launch here in support of youth care, in support of our teenagers, are carried out with the help of the Halyk Charitable Foundation of Timur and Dinara Kulibayev, — emphasizes Gulzhan Asanova, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Kazakhstan.

“We do everything to ensure that these children have a sense of home and the opportunity to learn independence,” added Halyk Foundation Director Saginbek Shunkeev.

Prevention of orphanhood is national priority

In addition to the village itself, a Child and Family Support Center (CFSC) operates in Astana, focusing on the prevention of social orphanhood. From 2020 to 2024, the center helped more than 600 children remain with their families or avoid separation, supporting 200 families in total. Currently, another 60 families are under its care. Across the country (Almaty, Astana, Karaganda, Temirtau), thanks to the work of SOS Children’s Villages, more than 2,500 children have not been separated from their parents. This is the result of a comprehensive and humane approach.

An anniversary is a reason not only to look back, but also to move forward

‘Every child deserves a loving home’ — this phrase sounded especially poignant at the anniversary. For some, it became a reality 25 years ago. For others, it is only beginning now. The village has big plans: new integrated homes, family support programs, and preparing graduates for independent life. But perhaps the greatest measure of success is the line of alumni waiting to see their ‘mothers,’ called by name by grown, confident, and happy children.

inbusiness.kz