Long Way Round - Climbing Centre in Kazakhstan

A month after leaving the UK and almost 5,000 miles (8,000 km) from home, Ewan and Charley reached Kazakhstan where they visited the UNICEF-supported Tamgaly Climbing Centre in Almaty. Many families come to Almaty searching for work and a better life, only to find high unemployment and few opportunities. The standard of living is very low and children growing up here are some of the most vulnerable in the country. Over the last few years, there has been an increase in young people falling into crime, drugs and alcohol abuse which puts them at high risk of contracting HIV and AIDS. Whilst schools cannot solve these problems, there is no doubt that they can take positive steps to give children the knowledge and life skills they need. Therefore UNICEF, with funding from British Airways, came up with an innovative and successful way of giving young people a purpose and focus, by installing climbing walls in schools across the country. The walls quite literally help children find a foothold, at school, in the community and in life. The success of this project has been acknowledged by the Government. On seeing the benefits the 10 UNICEF-supported walls have brought to the lives of young people, the Government installed a further nine across the country. Funds raised through the Long Way Round have also been supporting UNICEF's HIV and AIDS prevention work in Kazakhstan. Through these funds, UNICEF has been able to improve education services available to young people, such as training teachers, establishing a peer education network and increasing youth-friendly services. These centres help to provide health and counselling services which enable young people to stay free from HIV.

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YouTube | January 30, 2008

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