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Inclusion Continues: First Post-Events of the "Sails of the Spirit" Project Held in Kyrgyzstan

2026-09-25 22:48
On September 12, 2026, the first meeting in a post-work format for participants and volunteers of the international inclusive project "Sails of the Spirit," held with the support of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, took place in Kyrgyzstan. The event demonstrated that the completion of the main expedition stage became an impetus for the independent development of local inclusive initiatives in the region.
The main themes of the meeting were the development of the Extrability concept and the prevention of emotional burnout. The event was attended by 12 people, including four participants with disabilities.
The meeting program was based on author methodologies selected during the "Sails of the Spirit" expeditions. The trainings aimed to unobtrusively, through personal experience, show people their hidden talents:
  • "Dark Corridor" and Picnic in the Dark: Participants learned to trust themselves and others in conditions of complete vision loss, developing sensory perception and non-verbal communication.
  • "Bird-Wind" Dynamic Training: The exercise elicited a bright emotional response—participants showed maximum involvement. A visually impaired participant showed particular brightness, whose activity and reaction speed required increased attention to safety from the organizers.
  • Sign Language and Communication Practices: Guests mastered sign language communication skills and practices of free interaction without visual contact.
"The most inspiring thing for me was the incredible involvement and ease with which participants went through all the tests. People with and without disabilities engaged in processes in the dark from the first try, discovering undiscovered resources in themselves and learning to listen to themselves. We saw how fear and stereotypical pity give way to trust and equal partnership. The completion of the expedition is only the beginning of great work: we plan to develop new formats, including an inclusive book club with Extrability practices, and direct funds from such initiatives to support a specialized school for blind children in Kyrgyzstan," shared meeting organizer Aigerim Kazakbaeva.

Personal Discoveries and Initiative Development

Based on written feedback and reflection, participants noted that the meeting managed to create a safe space for overcoming internal barriers. One of the participants shared that the experience of moving with closed eyes helped her step out of her comfort zone and get rid of the feeling of pity for people with disabilities. Passing through the "Dark Corridor" helped a young guest—the daughter of the invited photographer—overcome an internal barrier. Experiencing strong fear at first, after completing the exercise she realized that there is nothing frightening in such an experience.
The meeting formed a demand for regular inclusive events: participants suggested teaching the community Goalball, a Paralympic team sport designed specifically for people with vision impairments. Visually impaired participants offered to help conduct master classes, and the team began preparing an inclusive book club.

Project Partners:

  • State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom
  • Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo)
  • Russian Geographical Society
  • Medscan Group of Companies
  • Ural Federal University named after the First President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin
  • Institute of Management Design and Competitive Strategies LLC
  • Udokan Copper LLC
  • Extrability Movement
  • Akimat of Almaty Region (Kazakhstan)
  • Akimat of Karaganda Region (Kazakhstan)
  • Akimat of Balkhash City (Kazakhstan)
  • Akimat of Ulken City (Kazakhstan)
  • Issyk-Kul District State Administration (Kyrgyzstan)
  • Society of the Blind and Deaf of Kyrgyzstan
  • Bishkek State University
  • DE FACTO MEDIA HUB Inclusive Media Portal (Kazakhstan)
  • Public Charitable Events Foundation "Special Holidays" (Kazakhstan)
  • Tarsus Disability Platform (Turkey)
  • UPTK "Sails of the Urals"
  • Dr. Volkova's Clinic
  • ANO "Most"
  • "Eldorado" Travel Agency
  • "Nurbakhyt" Recreation Center
  • "Volna" Fishing Base, Ulken
  • Alliance School, Private School, Almaty
  • Sverdlovsk Regional Public Organization "Kyrgyzstan-Ural"