IVANOVAKA SCHOOL OF FAITH
Location: 725008 Issyk-Ata area, Ivanovka village, Teatralnaya str.
Population: 9,000
School founded in Year 2001
Principal: Raisa Zacharchenko
# of staff : 16 teachers
# of students : 221
These students are from at least 13 different nationalities from 1st grade to 10th grade. Most of the children are from very poor families, with low or no income. Some of them are either social orphans (left behind), or are real orphans without living parents. Many others were just born into families with many children and not enough resources to go around. Due to the circumstances the school provides 96 students from the elementary side free meals on top of free tuition. Our school differs from the public schools that we teach bible lessons and we believe that through such teaching students receive the solid bases of the knowledge, values and guidelines of Christianity to be useful for the rest of their lives.
Special feature about the school and students –
This school situates in the midst of a Dungan village, and in this neighborhood there is no access to tap water. The occupations of most of students’ family are centered on farming, farm related activities, or sales of farm produce. Children naturally become family’s labor force. So in the many years, very frequently children cannot regularly attend classes but have to work in the fields. However, in the recent years, we notice changes. It is because school has been making major efforts through PTA training and education to help parents to understand how proper education can impact their children and transform their future.
Students skipping classes during the planting, harvesting seasons are still very common among other villages throughout Kyrgyzstan, but it is no longer the same in Ivanovka School of Faith. Today, among our students, there are significant improvement - we have 12 excellent students, 81 good students, ranking among the top in the area.
In general, children from this school have great personalities, you will find them are very friendly, courteous and helpful.
In our school, we have wonderful, and loving staff on the team even though this is a much poorer area and less convenient as compared to other locations. We have 16 educational specialists, some of them were considered as the excellent students of education of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the majority of the teachers have received even higher education. They are certified and well qualified for their positions. What a blessing to our students.
Graduation:
During the past nine years of operation, school has held 2 graduations for the ones that completed the 9th grade with a total of 38 students.
Community involvement and service –
· School helps orphans and war members of 1941-1945
· Staff and students are heavily involved with the annual summer camps outreaching to the neighborhood children who have never heard of the good news.
Associated churches - Local Christian church
Needs: There are only 13 classrooms in the school building, we need additional classrooms. The school also prays for a gym facility.