Annually, some portion of the funds raised from the Almaty Marathon’s entry fees is donated. For the last year, the largest running competition in Central Asia raised record KZT 65.5 mln. for the implementation of 8 charity projects for over 1,377 children. The Almaty Marathon Organizers – “Courage to be the First” Corporate Fund – personally participate in the implementation of the charity projects and coordinate the whole process from selection of contractors to supervision over the construction and transfer of the facility to its users.
The Almaty Marathon’s mission is to develop the active life style making the sports available for everyone. The Organizers are focused on the charitable mission as well: by involving the society in social projects, they give a chance to everyone to contribute to the good deed. For 12 years, the Fund’s team has implemented over 30 charity projects to the amount exceeding KZT 277 mln. in Almaty and Almaty Region. During this period, the dozens of football fields, rock climbing walls, sports grounds and special equipment have been installed for the development of sensomotor integration, locomotor system, as well as for the adaptation of the children for living in the society.
In the last year, the Fund’s beneficiaries included the following 8 child institutions:
- Senim Center for Social Services, Municipal Public Institution
- Regional Centre for Support of Disadvantaged Children, Municipal Public Institution
- Ak zhol-M Social Fund
- Meyirim Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled Children and Teenagers, Private Fund
- Amanat Social Child Care Home
- Ana Amanaty Girl Care Home
- Almaty Athletic Facility Front Office LLP
- АВА Center Rostok LLP
Today, Senim Centre hosts 108 children with special needs and children without parental support. In last December, the institution received a new sports equipment from the Fund and now its children have more opportunities for training.
The Regional Child Care Home hosts 130 children at the age of 3 to 18 years. Among them are 52 girls and 78 boys. A new football stadium equipped with advanced facilities and equipment, which meet all safety requirements, was opened there.
Ak zhol-M Fund is focused on free socialization and rehabilitation of over 1,000 children with special needs in Almaty Region. This is the first and Kazakhstan’s only institution built at the expense of ordinary people. This spring, “Courage to be the First” Corporate Fund has purchased furniture for the new building of the Rehabilitation Centre in Kyzyl-Kairat settlement. Rehabilitation services in the new centre may be provided to 170-200 children a day, and it is attended by children not only from Almaty Region but also from the nearest regions.
Meyirim Centre is daily attended by 90 children and teenagers with special needs. The centre offers them social, pedagogical and physical rehabilitation. On 16 March, the Almaty Marathon Organizers provided the Centre with MyWay walking frame with elliptical trainer. This equipment for rehabilitation of children with musculoskeletal disorders allows them to learn walking, develop various motor skills, strengthen muscles, and improve the coordination of movement and balance.
“We have received a unique English equipment, which opens up new opportunities for development of our children. For example, MyWay walking frame with elliptical trainer is a novelty for Kazakhstan,” says Yelena Kuzembayeva, Director of Meyirim Rehabilitation Centre.
Amanat and Ana Amanaty Child Care Homes host almost 50 children from the low-income families and children without parental support. The wards of the Child Care Homes are prepared for school, they also broaden their horizons and develop the social and personal qualities. This May, the Fund opened there the multifunctional sports grounds suitable for playing football, basketball and having fun outdoors.
The secondary field of the Central Stadium is a well-loved place for the Almaty football players and runners. This May, the Fund opened the workout complex there: now citizens could do strength training, stretching and other combined developing exercises.
Rostok Centre provides assistance to the children suffering from autism and speech disorder by using ABA methods. Here, children are taught under the individual correction programmes, as well as learn to interact with the world around, develop their social skills and self-confidence. In April, the Centre received the specialized rehabilitation equipment.
The inclusion and charity are the basis of “Courage to be the First” Corporate Fund’s Strategy.
“All our activities form an inclusive environment opened for all and everyone irrespective of gender, age, physical abilities, running experience and other particularities. For the last years, we have managed to support over 3,000 children in joining the sports. We are sure that sport is a powerful tool to promote health and develop the nation as a whole,” says Saltanat Kazybayeva, Executive Director of the Fund.
Annually, as the number of run participants grows, the Fund increases charity donations allowing Kazakhstani children to join sport. In 2023, about 14 thousand runners representing 44 countries were brought together at the start line. The Fund’s idea promotes the country’s image at the international level. The Almaty Marathon’s contribution to the city’s economy is significant as well: according to the last year survey, about 1,000 participants made purchases amounting to USD 16.8 thous. (KZT 7.9 mln.) during the two-day event, of which 39% were spent by the guests from other cities and countries.
It stands to mention that in 2024 the 13th Almaty Marathon will take place, which pulls together over 15 thousand runners. This year, it is expected to donate KZT 75 mln. The registration is open at website.
