The Fund Forum expresses its gratitude

August 27, 2010

On August 27, Tashkent`s Center of National Arts hosted a report evening for sponsors and patrons organized by the Fund Forum jointly with the Women`s Council, Mehr Nuri Foundation and the SISF. The event brought together over 150 representatives of international and national public organizations, the business community, industrial enterprises, trading and pharmaceutical companies who were given diplomas of gratitude.

Over the six years of their operation, the foundations patronized by Gulnara Karimova have catered to over 4 million citizens of Uzbekistan. A large number of organizations and individuals have helped these projects come to fruition. It is thanks to their generous contributions and support that ideas have been embodied and dreams have come true.

Specifically, the British Council, UNFPA, Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Development Fund of Tashkent University of Information Technologies which are in close collaboration with Jelajak ovozi YIC received diplomas for their active support of the Fund Forum`s youth and educational projects in Uzbekistan.

Hamida Yunusova, Director of Oltin Qanot (Golden Wing) Kindergarten (Tashkent), a partner of the Fund Forum`s and the Women`s Council`s youth and educational projects:

“I`m happy to be here and to receive this affirmation of gratitude from the Fund Forum and the Women`s Council with which we have been collaborating for many years. Participation in projects that involve so many children and young people is a pleasure. Seeing smiling faces and seeing them grow up and hone their skills is great. We intend to continue to provide these organizations with support in their noble mission.

Pharmaceutical companies Hoffmann La-Roche, Sanofi Aventis and Novartis Pharma, Salus Vita Medical Centre, supermarkets Korzinka and Turkuaz were given diplomas in recognition of their contributions to the fight against breast cancer which is held and actively supported at the initiative of Gulnara by the Women`s Council and “In the Name of Life” National Association in the form of diagnostic campaigns across the country, a charitable marathon and fundraisers for breast cancer victims, etc.

Children`s pre-school facilities, general educational facilities “Oltin qanot”, “Bek kichkintoy”, “Leader”, “Unikim-Raza”, “Elite educat. Altern. Sehriy”, credit unions “Markaz”, “Jahon”, “Rivoj invest”, “Optimal kredit”, “Sogdiana Navoi”, “Barlos”, Supermarket “Continent”, Art Studio “Sakura Project”, Recreation and Entertainment Agency “Sunday”, holiday organizing companies “ALS Family” and “Eventa” have made contributions to the organization of projects to safeguard mother and child health.

Yekaterina Volnova, Art Studio “Sakura Project” (Tashkent), a partner of the Women`s Council in “In the Name of Childhood” Charity Ball:

“For us participation in the charity ball is very interesting experience. We have broad experience in decorating different events but it`s doubly pleasant to be able to contribute to the decoration of the Japanese Garden which hosted this wonderful children`s holiday. We are ready to continue to help the Women`s Council organize these projects which are important to each and everyone.

The Social Initiatives Support Fund thanked the participants of its grant programmes who have provided financial and organizational support for other people. Among them are Manzura Jurayeva, an entrepreneur and chairwoman of Do`stlik (Friendship) Mahalla Committee; Turgunoy Mamajanova, head of Elga Hizmat Ltd. from Andijan region, and Nigora Nasirova, director of Mukhsina Avto Enterprise among others.

Vazira Rakhmanova, the Association of Business Women of Uzbekistan, Chairwoman of “Tadbirkor ayol” Union (Andijan):

“It`s important that each entrepreneur get timely support, especially at an initial stage. Therefore, when the SISF provided me with a microloan several years ago, this was a big help. And now that I have achieved significant success in my business, I am able to provide support for other entrepreneurs. This is a kind of a mutual support circle. This is why I`m very pleased to receive this gratitude from the Fund Forum, which opens opportunities.”

The evening included a presentation of the Fund Forum`s major projects: Art Week Style.uz, which will take place in Tashkent on October 9-14, 2010, and a Network of Universal Cultural Centers, which was announced in February this year. These projects have drawn a lot of attention from the youth who have been the center of attention with the Fund Forum. The evening was “adorned” with a concert by Uzbek pop stars and performances by laureates of Yangi Avlod Children`s Creativity Festival, one of the Fund Forum`s major projects targeted at children.