LocationsKyoko Kimura: JICA Volunteer Bringing Youth Engagement to Life in Balykchy
August 21, 2025
Kyoko Kimura, a JICA Volunteer at the Youth Centre in Balykchy
Kyoko Kimura, a JICA volunteer from Niigata, Japan, has been living and working in Kyrgyzstan since October 2023. Based in Balykchy, she teaches English and Japanese at a local school and conducts after-school language clubs. Beyond the classroom, she actively participates in intercultural understanding events in collaboration with the Balykchy Youth Centre—an inclusive space for youth built through the UNDP–Japan partnership.
At the Youth Centre in Balykchy
Her journey with JICA began with a strong desire to contribute to community development through international cooperation. The grassroots approach of JICA appealed to her as a way to apply her education degree from International Christian University in Tokyo in a meaningful, community-driven setting. While Balykchy was selected by JICA, she has found the city to be a rich environment for professional and personal growth.
Although not formally assigned to the Youth Centre, Kyoko has become a familiar and welcomed figure there. The centre offers a dynamic platform for local youth to engage in educational, social, and cultural activities. Introduced to the space by a KOICA volunteer, she has since collaborated with other international volunteers, supported youth-led initiatives, and built strong connections with local students.
Kyoko with local youth in front of the centre
Among her most memorable experiences was a surprise celebration prepared by students on her birthday. They made a handmade poster and sang “Happy Birthday” in Japanese—an act that underscored the meaningful relationships built through language and cultural exchange. She also recalls the joy of being greeted in Japanese on the streets of Balykchy, small gestures that reflect the lasting impact of her work.
Kyoko has faced challenges along the way, particularly language barriers, as many students speak only Kyrgyz or Russian. To overcome these hurdles, she uses visual aids, gestures, and interactive methods. Irregular attendance at the Youth Centre also presents difficulties in maintaining structured courses, prompting her to design flexible, engaging sessions that accommodate varying levels of participation.
Kyoko is holding komuz, the Kyrgyz national musical instrument
With three months remaining in her volunteer term, Kyoko plans to return to Japan and continue her work as a teacher. She intends to bring her experiences in Kyrgyzstan into the classroom to promote intercultural understanding and global awareness among her future students.
Kyoko’s engagement at the Balykchy Youth Centre reflects Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to the National Development Programme until 2030, where the active participation of youth is recognized as a key factor in building an inclusive and sustainable society. Her efforts through JICA, in collaboration with UNDP and the Government of Japan at the Youth Centre in Balykchy, contribute to strengthening the role of young people as agents of positive change in their communities.
Kyoko during the visit of the Ambassador of Japan Goda Hideki and UNDP Resident Representative Alexandra Solovieva to the Youth Centre
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