Celebrating 25 Years of SOS Children’s Village in Astana
This year, SOS Children’s Village in Astana celebrated its 25th anniversary—an event supported not only by educators and children, but also by long-time advocates of this unique family-based education model.
One of the key partners is the Halyk Charitable Fund, founded by Timur Kulibayev and Dinara Kulibayeva. The Fund has provided consistent support for the village’s development and helped launch new initiatives for youth, including integrated teen homes and programs for families facing difficult life circumstances, according to inbusiness.kz.
A family that lasts a quarter 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 the past 25 years, more than 200 children have received educational support at SOS Children’s Village in Astana. Today, they are independent, confident adults. Sultan Zheniskhan, one of the village’s first graduates and now a successful entrepreneur, spoke warmly at the celebration:
“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 built on a family-based system: children live in homes with foster parents, attend regular schools, and participate in creative activities and sports. Currently, the village provides care and support for nearly 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, an integrated teen home opened at SOS Children’s Village in Astana, located within a modern residential complex. This new initiative helps teenagers gradually transition into independent adult life—while still receiving guidance from mentors and support from their “home village.” Similar homes are already operating at SOS Children’s Villages in Almaty and Temirtau.
This year, we launched integrated youth homes—a new initiative for youth development that’s important not only for Astana, but for all of Kazakhstan. It’s a new format for supporting teenagers: they learn independence and experience life in an urban environment, while always knowing that support from mentors and their SOS village is close by. Many of the youth care projects we launch, especially those supporting teenagers, are made possible with the help of the Halyk Charitable Fund, founded by Timur Kulibayev and Dinara Kulibayeva,” emphasized 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 Charitable Fund 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 stay with their families or avoid separation, supporting a total of 200 families. Currently, another 60 families are receiving care.
Across Kazakhstan—in Almaty, Astana, Karaganda, and Temirtau—thanks to the work of SOS Children’s Villages, more than 2,500 children have remained with their parents. This is the result of a comprehensive and compassionate approach to child welfare.
An anniversary is a reason not only to look back, but also to move forward
“Every child deserves a loving home”—this phrase resonated deeply during the anniversary celebration. For some, it became a reality 25 years ago. For others, it’s just beginning. The village has ambitious plans ahead: new integrated homes, expanded family support programs, and initiatives to prepare graduates for independent living. 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.
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