Sails of Spirit and ExtraAbility Business: All This Was "Sails of Spirit" in Kyrgyzstan

From August 17 to 27, 2025, the international inclusive project "Sails of Spirit: Movement Towards Mutual Enrichment" took place in Kyrgyzstan. This year's program combined a sailing camp on Issyk-Kul, a meeting with parliamentarians from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, and a vibrant finale—the "Days of ExtraAbility" festival.

The project is implemented by the "White Cane" NGO with the support of the State Atomic Energy Corporation "Rosatom" and Dastan Bekeshev, Deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh of Kyrgyzstan.

Over ten days at the "Orbita" base, participants learned to operate catamarans and trimarans, tie nautical knots, coordinate in mixed crews, and trust each other. The camp brought together people with and without disabilities, representatives of different countries and professions.

"This event is very important, and it is a joy that it is taking place here in Kyrgyzstan. I would like 'Sails of Spirit' to be held every year. Many thanks to everyone who organized everything at the highest level," shared Raimbek Temirbaev, a volunteer of "Sails of Spirit" and Director of the Foundation for Public Development and Cooperation (FORiS).

An important part of the program was the meeting of project participants with parliamentarians. Around one table gathered deputies Dastan Bekeshev (Jogorku Kenesh of Kyrgyzstan), Kenzhegul Seitzhan and Irina Smirnova (Mazhilis of Kazakhstan), and Jasur Jumaev from the Parliament of Uzbekistan. During an open conversation, the deputies shared plans for cooperation and agreed to make such meetings an annual tradition.

The festival concluded with concerts, ExtraAbility masterclasses, and an awards ceremony. The atmosphere of friendship and inspiration united guests from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Egypt, Latvia, and Russia.

On the last evening, the camp turned into a platform for "investors." Participants pooled money into a common fund and, divided into teams, presented their ideas about what "gift" they could offer the world. The first team proposed purchasing new towels for the "Orbita" base; the second suggested transforming the children's playground into a multifunctional space: a place for children's games, youth gatherings around a fire, and an improvised stage for concerts; and the third—creating a graphic module with the "White Cane" logo in Kyrgyz style.

The children's playground idea won: over 13,000 som were collected and transferred to the base director. Thus, within the "Sails of Spirit" project, an example of extraability business was born—the opportunities of each participant turned into a common good.

The camp ended symbolically—with candlelit songs, friendly hugs, and new dreams. Many left not only with a deep sense of satisfaction but also with new friends.

"At the project, I received such a powerful charge of energy. I realized that life should be used differently: to do good, to smile, to simply wish well to other people. I am deeply grateful for the invitation to the event: my eyes were opened to how much more I need to learn," shared Gulnara Murzakhmedova, participant of the Days of ExtraAbility, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Ambassador of Russian Education and Science, and Vice-Rector of the K. Karasaev Bishkek State University.

For the first time in history, the project in Kyrgyzstan smoothly transitioned into a camp in Kazakhstan. Part of the team dispersed to their homes, while another set off to continue the journey. Among them was Zhazgul Pazylova from Kyrgyzstan, who only at the camp on Issyk-Kul decided to join "Sails of Spirit" at Lake Balkhash.

The "Sails of Spirit" project has been uniting people with and without disabilities for over ten years, showing that limitations can become a source of strength, and diversity of experience—a priceless resource. This year's theme—"Movement Towards Mutual Enrichment"—was evident in everything: in joint learning, honest dialogues, the creation of shared projects, and in friendship that knows no borders.

"Sails of Spirit" continues its journey, and we believe that this friendship and the energy of extraability will grow and inspire new cities and countries!