Sonun Boronchieva has dedicated her life to supporting people with disabilities. Under her leadership, the organization has implemented projects in social assistance, education, economic empowerment, and inclusion. 

Kyial Boronchieva is a craftswoman and teacher at the Tyup Children and Youth Creativity Center. She has taught schoolchildren and center participants traditional crafts and produced custom-made items from various materials. Her work lies at the intersection of creativity and social mission, with children with disabilities among her students.

Despite their experience and skills, both women faced similar challenges. High-quality raw materials such as felt and wool were scarce. There was limited understanding of tourist demand: what products they prefer, what kinds of souvenirs they are willing to buy, and what they expect from authentic Kyrgyz crafts. There was also a lack of experienced mentors, limited online sales opportunities, and a narrow professional network.

They learned about the UNDP “Aid for Trade” project online. Their decision to participate was deliberate: they aimed to improve their own skills and engage young women from rural areas and mothers of children with disabilities, providing them with tools to earn income and gain independence.

Through the project, the organization gained access to trainings, workshops, and master classes; opportunities to exchange experience with artisans from Osh, Alay, Chon-Alay, and Bishkek; access to quality raw materials through the “Tumar” company; and support in online and offline sales and financial literacy. A key milestone was participation in the “Silk Road Tourism – 2025” fair in Uzbekistan.

“The most important part was the exchange of experience and master classes, which helped us improve product quality and start creating authentic items that tourists truly need.”

The results have been tangible. Previously, products were sold only in small quantities at local fairs. Today, they are available at the “EthnoMir POINT” souvenir shop and tourist logistics centers, with online orders coming from South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. The group has also developed its own unique toy designs that stand out in the market.

By adopting environmentally friendly production practices, the organization began recycling wool waste, turning it into an additional income source. Families have seen real improvements in their livelihoods and greater confidence in the future.

Behind these results is a deeper story. UNDP support enabled the organization to take the next step, engaging mothers of children with disabilities, young rural women, and others seeking not only income but also a sense of belonging.

Seeing women who once stayed at home now creating beautiful products, earning income, and feeling valued is, as Sonun Boronchieva notes, the true result.

“If you are engaged in crafts, keep learning, focus on quality, participate in projects, and build experience. Every effort leads to success. Even a small contribution to traditional crafts is a contribution to preserving Kyrgyzstan’s cultural heritage.”

The story of “Kelechek-Sary-Kol” reflects a broader process — the implementation of national strategic priorities for sustainable and inclusive economic development. Under the National Development Programme of the Kyrgyz Republic until 2030, UNDP, through the “Aid for Trade” project, supports promising sectors for growth and export, including felt and leather products as green niche industries.

These initiatives connect crafts and tourism, forming sustainable value chains. Today, the project supports over 50 craftswomen, fosters export-oriented MSMEs, expands access to innovative and resource-efficient technologies, and strengthens the role of women and persons with disabilities in the economy.