Alstom Foundation supports Dara Foundation in Kazakhstan

The Mentorship Programme for orphans

4 December 2020 – As part of a selection of 29 projects worldwide, the Alstom Foundation decided to support the Mentorship Programme proposed by the Dara Foundation in Kazakhstan.

The Mentorship Programme aims at helping orphans and children deprived of parental care, to discover their life potential and develop their independent living skills through communication with adult volunteers - mentors. A mentor helps a child to believe in himself/herself and develop self-reliance, contributes to creating the conditions under which a child has an opportunity to better know his/her personality, to set and realize life goals and learn how to take responsibility for implementation.

“It’s already our second project granted by the Alstom Foundation in Kazakhstan and we are very happy to continue supporting communities in different social aspects. We are confident that this contribution will help Dara Foundation in developing a solid base for all orphans and involve more mentors to this very important and valuable project”, said Guillaume Tritter, Alstom Managing Director for Western & Central Asia.

The grant will be used for developing partnership and hiring coordinators in three cities of Kazakhstan – Nur-Sultan, Semey and Kostanay, as well as launching project in Kyzylorda. The Dara Foundation is targeting to recruit 600 new candidates to the roles of project coordinators and mentors and organize their subsequent training according to self-developed Methodology. After training Dara provides continuous support and supervision to all mentors in their communication with mentees (orphans).

“The Mentorship Programme is fully in line with the social development axis of the Foundation supporting orphans. Alstom employees will be able to directly participate in it as mentors though volunteering, and we are proud of this engagement into community activities”, says Anne-Cecile Barbier, Secretary General of the Alstom Foundation.

Established in November 2007, the Alstom Foundation supports and funds projects which serve to improve living conditions in, and economic prospects of, communities located near Alstom’s facilities and sites around the world. All projects are conceived, presented and supported by Alstom employees who team up with expert partners and look to the Alstom Foundation to make a positive impact on the local environment. All projects are conducted in strong partnership with local or global NGOs with a proven ability to implement the projects on the ground.

“We believe that mentorship programs are one of the most effective types of assistance to young people in difficult life situations, and thanks to Alstom's support, children have an increased chance of meeting their mentor – friends. We also have the opportunity to expand the geography of the project and add new cities, so more children will have mentors”, said Ainur Aimurzina, Head of Projects and Programs of Dara Foundation.

The Dara Foundation is implementing projects aimed at improving the living conditions and expanding development opportunities for orphans and children with special educational needs in Kazakhstan since 2005. Dara projects are aimed at teaching, developing creative skills in children, rehabilitation and support in acquiring a profession. The Dara Foundation also participates in the development of proposals for improving legislation and practice in terms of implementing the rights of children with disabilities and orphans, as well as cooperates with other public organisations in the promotion of reforms.

Alstom is present in Kazakhstan with more than 950 people, two joint ventures and two facilities, EKZ in Nur-Sultan for locomotives manufacturing and maintenance and on-board transformers, and KEP in Almaty for the production of point machines. Alstom is the only manufacturer of electric locomotives and point machines in the Central Asian and Caucasian region and a major contributor to the revitalisation of its rail industry and the development of its economy.