ADRA Opens ‘Better Together’ Community School in Kazakhstan
Restored from an abandoned clinic, the new hub now hosts classes and activities for all ages.
Vladimir Mikhailov, Euro-Asia Division, and ANNKazakhstanNov 25, 2025, 7:00 AM
An abandoned building in Karabas, Kazakhstan, has been transformed into a community creative school that brings together children, youth, and older adults for learning, recreation, and social support. The project was implemented by ADRA Kazakhstan with funding from the TzuXing International Foundation in Taiwan.
The “Better Together” creative and social school was officially opened on November 13, 2025, in the presence of the akim (mayor) of Karabas, the akim of Beskaragay District, the akim of Abay Region, and local residents. The facility, formerly a health center that had stood vacant for years, now hosts classrooms, activity spaces, and areas for sports and community events.
According to ADRA, work began in April 2025. By September, the first children were attending classes, followed by programs for youth and seniors. The opening was attended by ADRA Euro-Asia Division director Alexander Leukhin, representatives of ADRA Kazakhstan, and sponsors from Taiwan, including foundation president Lisa Lin and her coordinators.
Local authorities supported the initiative with infrastructure and equipment. District and village leadership arranged new asphalt from the highway to Karabas, and government offices donated furniture, a television, and a computer for the school. Residents also contributed materials and support.
ADRA’s presence in Karabas follows earlier flood-response efforts in 2024, in which members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church participated. The village administration has expressed openness to continued collaboration and plans to host volunteers from the Adventist community in Semipalatinsk. Two volunteers are scheduled to lead healthy-lifestyle classes at the new facility.
ADRA Kazakhstan says it will continue partnering with local Adventist communities to combine relief and development projects with community-based services. ADRA is the humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The original article was published on the Euro-Asia Division Russian news site.
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