Isaak Mustopulo, a 5th grader from Taraz and author of one of the winning projects, with his mother Maya Mustopulo (standing behind), who is also the founder of the Batul Ana Society of Parents of Children with Disabilities, and Victoria Shestel, director of the department of development of the Public Fund “Dostizheniya Molodykh” and teacher at the Dostar School.
ASTANA – Winners of the Chevron-sponsored School Children’s Environmental Business Projects competition were recognised for their achievements at an awards ceremony in Astana on May 14.
The Public Fund “Dostizheniya Molodykh” (Youngsters’ Achievements) organised the competition that was supported by both the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. Bektas Mukhamedzhanov, Vice Minister of Environment and Water Resources presented the awards to the winners.
This year, the competition was dedicated to World Environment Day as part of the goal of promoting social responsibility, developing best practices for eco-friendly projects and creating environmental awareness among Kazakhstan’s school children.
In 2014, nearly 200 projects from various regions of Kazakhstan have been reviewed by the competition panel and 13 winners received grants from Chevron to bring their business ideas to life. Judging criteria included the practicality of implementation in the student’s home district, preservation of the surrounding landscape, as well as how well the project demonstrated an understanding of the environmental issue and potential solutions.
“Today, it has become crystal clear that our future depends on our commitment and ability to jointly resolve environmental issues,” said Yerkin Zikibayev, the company’s Manager for Government and Public Relations in Kazakhstan. “This is why Chevron pays particular attention to ecological education and development of environmental skills of our youth. In our 20 plus years in Kazakhstan, we have supported numerous ecological projects and initiatives.”
Bektas Mukhamedzhanov (с), Vice Minister of Environment and Water Resources, with winners of the contest and Chevron officials.
Isaak Mustopulo, a 5th grade student from Taraz and author of one of the winning projects, “Ecological Sand Graphics Studio for Children with Disabilities”, was very happy to have a chance to make a contribution to building a better environment. “Taking part and winning the competition raised my self-confidence. I will now have an opportunity to produce animation films on ecological subjects,” he said.
Another winner, 9th grade student from the Aktobe Oblast Serik Markhabat who had been awarded for his project, “Greening the Territory of Baikadam Village and Protecting It from Sandstorms,” also expressed his gratitude.
“Thanks to the competition, our village will now be surrounded by a beautiful garden. It will become a place for leisure of all villagers, especially for kids,” he said.
