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BISHEK, Kyrgystan / ReliefWeb / March 5, 2009
A groundbreaking audio-visual project developed by HelpAge International has recorded the experiences of older people during severe winters in Kyrgyzstan to raise awareness of the challenges they face keeping warm in the winter months.
The
'Winter diaries' project collected photography, case studies and video interviews over a series of visits to older people between December 2008 and February 2009. The material will be on display in an exhibition launched on March 5 in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek.
Struggling to heat their homes
Temperatures in Kyrgyzstan routinely fall below 20°c during the winter months, yet shortages in gas and electricity supplies, coupled with rising food and fuel prices, mean that many are unable to heat their homes. Older people face particular challenges. Because of their reduced income older people are often unable to afford gas or electricity and heat their homes using coal, firewood and animal dung. In order to afford this fuel they are spending less on food, with many surviving on just bread and tea each day. This has significant impacts on their health and nutrition.
This file photograph from http://www.christianaid.org.uk is used here only to indicate the extent of suffering in Kyrgystan.
It is also more difficult for older people with mobility problems to leave their homes and risk the icy conditions on the roads. Many must rely on neighbours and family members to bring food and fuel for them. In rural areas, migration of younger adults to the cities also means older people are supporting grandchildren, leaving household resources even more stretched.
Jursun Ybykeeva, 75, is from a village near Issyk Kul lake in eastern Kyrgyzstan. She lives with her husband, daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren.
"What makes living in winter difficult is heating. We don't have enough money to buy fuel like coal. We usually use a bunch of bushes and dry manure for heating, which doesn't provide much heat and quickly gets cold. Since food is also expensive, we usually eat just bread and tea without sugar or milk."
Eppu Mikkonen-Jeanneret, Regional Representative for HelpAge International in Central Asia, says:
"This project aims to bring to life the experiences of older people in Kyrgyzstan, showing the particular challenges they face during the winter months.
"Our hope is that government representatives, donors, NGOs, civil society and members of the public will visit the exhibition to learn about these issues and take action to better support older people, many of whom are fulfilling a caring role for grandchildren."
The Winter Diary project is a collaboration between HelpAge International, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the United Nations Volunteering programme (UNV).
The photos, videos and case studies used in the exhibition were collected by Azuma Nakahira. Azuma is on a work placement with HelpAge International as part of the United Nations volunteering programme.
© 2009 ReliefWeb
Old Kyrgyz Woman. Copyright photograph by Alex Gost. "I saw this woman while stopping on the road, and snapped this picture without thinking. I saw her life in her face only a few days later..". Says one independent comment: "What a face ! Impressive ! The problem is she does not look very happy indeed. Or maybe it's the sun. Any way it's a good pic". Courtesy: Trekearth - Learning About the World Through Photography 
