Who we are
Garth has also lived in Tajikistan directing a U.S. State Department program that brought internet to rural schools and as of fall 2005 he started a PhD program in International Education at the University of Minnesota. While he still oversees the financial management and overall direction of the organization, it is Arianna and the dedicated team of interns and volunteers that deliver the Alpine Fund programs in Bishkek.
Arianna is the Alpine Fund’s Kyrgyzstan Director. Arianna became director in June 2006. Under her supervision the mountain programs have grown from two trips per month to the current one trip per week plus an additional weekly climbing wall trip; she encouraged individuals occasionally attending English classes to become involved as committed Alpine Fund Interns. Arianna is in constant contact with and provides support for the interns, volunteers and numerous children from orphanages who have been in contact with the Alpine Fund at one time or another. She also manages the monthly budget and the delivery of the programs. When Arianna is not busy in the office she can be found at the Kyrgyz National University where she is completing a degree in Law.
Adilet is an Alpine Fund Intern. His parents moved to Bishkek when the farm they worked on was closed. From the age of 13 he worked with his parents in Dordoi bazaar but the family struggled to get by. Adliet was referred to the Alpine Fund by the Dordoi bazaar Center for Child Protection where he and his friends from the market ate lunch everyday. Adliet has been involved with the Alpine Fund ever since, first on trips to the mountains, then with English classes and now as a full time intern helping to run Alpine Fund programs. Adliet speaks Kyrgyz, English and Russian and has experience of leading rock climbing trips, guiding tourists in the mountains and working as a porter for climbers in Kyrgyzstan.
Salavat is an Alpine Fund Intern. Salavat grew up in Voenno Antonovka orphanage on the outskirts of Bishkek. She first attended an Alpine Fund English in the orphanage in 2002 when she was 11. Salavat soon became the class assistant and has been helping to run Alpine Fund English classes ever since. She currently assists with English teaching twice a week at the Osh bazaar Child Protection Centre. Salavat is now in her second year of a four year course in English Teaching at Arabaeva College in Bishkek. When she finishes she will be qualified to teach English at high school level.
Ulan is an Alpine Fund Intern. He grew up in the Dordoi area of Bishkek. As a young worker in Dordoi bazaar he visited the Child Protection Centre everyday for lunch. His first trip with the Alpine Fund was in 2003 when he and a group of boys from the CPC spent a weekend at the Alpine Fund Dacha near Ala-Archa National Park. Ulan has been a part of the Alpine Fund ever since. He as been on several climbing expeditions including Corona Peak and Uchitel Peak and has always excelled in Alpine Fund language classes. Ulan now speaks fluent Kyrgyz, English and Russian. An Alpine Fund donor recently sponsored Ulan to allow him to attend university. Thanks to this generous donation he is now studying for a degree in International Communication at the Kyrgyz National University. Ulan plans to become a professional translator and to continue to assist with Alpine Fund programs.
Kurushbek is an Alpine Fund Intern. He grew up in the Dordoi area of Bishkek with his mother and sister. He left school in the 6th grade and at the age of 12 started work in the bazaar. He worked along side his mother running a stall selling Scotch tape. Kurushbek was referred to the Alpine Fund by the Dordoi Child Protection Centre. He loved the trips to the mountains and has been in and around the Alpine Fund ever since. He attends Alpine Fund intermediate English classes twice a week and helps supervise and teach children at the weekly Alpine Fund climbing wall trips. Kurushnek has made several trips to the Ratsek area in Ala-Ar and recently joined an expedition in the Karakol mountains with a group from Norway.
Kuba is an Alpine Fund Intern. He also grew up in Dordoi. He left school in the 5th grade to start work in the bazaar. Kuba was referred to the Alpine Fund by Dordoi CPC and has been attending our mountain trips and English classes ever since. Kuba loves to be in the mountains and has made several long trips with tourists visiting Kyrgyzstan. He has recently worked as a cook on two 10 day expeditions and he regularly helps to supervise Alpine Fund trips with groups of younger children. Kuba hopes to continue making a trips to the mountains and work as a guide whenever possible.
Sanjar is the Alpine Fund driver. Always on hand with the Alpine Fund’s eight seater van, Sanjar is involved in all of our trips and is a major part of the team. He also happens to be a far better climber than the rest of us - he says his arms are strong because he’s spent so much time milking cows...
About Us
