Ilitay and Perizat are developing a Unified Games Club in their community where young people from both typical and special schools can come together and play Unified games.
About the Project Leaders
Ilitay is a 19-year-old from the capital of Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek. She studies at the Bishkek Humanities University, in the hopes of getting a degree in journalism, and specializes in advertising and marketing. Ilitay has been a partner of Special Olympics for many years. She participates as a Unified partner in the sport of badminton. She is very proud of her work in Special Olympics, and sees how it brings joy and social advancement for her friends who are Special Olympics athletes of the Kyrgyz Republic. Ilitay also participated in the Youth Summit in Berlin, where she learned about leadership, a skill that will enable her to develop her project even better.
Perizat is a 19-year-old living in the capital of Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek. Since 2019, Perizat has participated in Special Olympics. She attended the 2019 Special Olympics Summer World Games in Abu Dhabi. Along with her Unified partner, Perizat has pursued leadership positions within Special Olympics, and organized the activities for their youth club. Perizat likes being a Youth Leader for Special Olympics of the Kyrgyz Republic and being an example for her friends and community.
The Inspiration
Ilitay and Perizat noticed that in their country there is a lack of inclusiveness for people with intellectual disabilities. Education in the school systems remains exclusive to youth with intellectual disabilities, and many people are not accommodating to those with disabilities. These Youth Leaders feel that regardless of any differences, everyone should have equal rights and opportunities and receive equal treatment in all spheres of life and activity.
The Plan
Ilitay and Perizat would like to create a space, a "Unified Games Club" for students from special schools and typical schools to come together for friendly Unified Sports games. These games include table tennis, volleyball and badminton. In order to attract participants, they will go to schools in their community and talk about their experience participating in Special Olympics, relaying the opportunities it has granted them, and inspire other youth to join their club and also the Unified Generation.
Project Goals
Their project aims to attract more Unified partners as well as athletes to Special Olympics Estonia program. They hope to integrate students from special schools into activities with their peers from typical schools, and show students in mainstream schools that their participation in the lives of children with intellectual disabilities makes society a more inclusive place.
