“Panorama Shymkenta”, 15.08.2008
E. Mirova

   Many associate the holiday with a time full of idleness and staying all day at the beach or in nature. But at Shykentskih, teenagers participate in a summer school “In unity, our strength”, organized by public association the “Legal Center for Women's Initiatives “Sana Sezim”, with the financial support of the Commission for the Development of Democracy at the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan.
   They were confident that the summer vacation would be a noteworthy event. And the winners of the qualifying round will be able to go to a summer school. Initially, 80 children, 40 boys and 40 girls, from different schools of Shymkent were trained at the Circle Center for Childhood and Adolescence. The winners of the qualifying round of the first phase would be provided further relaxation in the summer school, and would be participating in training aimed at developing leadership skills, protect the rights and interests of children, gender education, violence prevention among youth, smoking, drug abuse, HIV / AIDS.
   The trainings were conducted in an interactive format, so the participants would not get bored. The most active and creative were selected to participate in the republican summer school health camp “Tau Samal” in the Zhambyl region.
   The Shymkent teenagers are waiting to have intelligent communication with peers from Taraz and Kyzylorda. They will continue to sharpen their leadership skills, knowledge, and ability to work in a team, make decisions.
   The organizers of the national summer school, among other interesting activities for teenagers, are preparing a surprise: U.S. basketball player Sam Perkins, a player from the well-known team the Los Angeles Lakers, will be in attendance. Also the summer school will be attended by representatives of the U.S. embassy in Kazakhstan.