7,000 Miles From Home by Aiden

7,000 Miles From Home by Aiden - April 2022 Scholarship Essay

In 2019, I was given the opportunity to go to Central Asia, specifically Kyrgyzstan, to do service projects. Kyrgyzstan is classified as a "second world" country, with roughly 20% of Kyrgyz people living under the world poverty line. Kyrgyzstan was formerly a part of the Soviet Union, until it broke off in 1991, only a few months before the Union collapsed. The current state of their government is exceptionally corrupt. According to Transparency International, Kyrgyzstan is ranked 144 out of 180 in terms of corruption within the government. On top of this, Kyrgyzstan faces climate change issues, high levels of unemployment, and terrorism.
So, it's safe to say, that they needed all the help they could get. I stayed in Kyrgyzstan for 10 days, providing food, clothes, and other living necessities to the locals there. I got to stay in "Yurts", which are small huts in green fields and plains. I played soccer at the futsal courts, swam in Lake Issyk Kul, and hiked through snow-capped mountains for over 20 miles.
This experience impacted me in a way that I had never experienced before. While I did have a wonderful time in Kyrgyzstan, I was infinitely more grateful for my fortunate circumstances in the United States. Often, when I am feeling discontent with my current circumstances, I reflect on what many of the Kyrgyz people are going through. I hope to return to this wonderful country and beautiful people someday.