From Kyrgyzstan with love – a documentary on communities and mining

“I love my country, Kyrgyzstan. I love the scenery, I love the people of Kyrgyzstan and I want to see my country flourish so that the people find satisfaction in their lives, so that they benefit from our natural resources and so that our country remains as beautiful as ever.”

So says Kalia Moldogazieva as she sets off on a journey to two different mining areas in her country – one where she has been able to work closely with local authorities, mining companies and the community and one where she has not been in six years.

Kalia’s goal, and that of her NGO Tree of Life, a PWYP member, is to help local communities living in extractive regions access information and be empowered to take part in decisions made over how projects are carried out and where the mining profits of their districts should be directed.

PWYP members have said in the past that communities who are not listened to are more likely to engage in direct action or indeed violence in a bid to be heard. Unlike the rhetoric spouted by some, communities do not seek to impede modernity or progress, but to have their concerns and grievances heard and addressed. In Kyrgyzstan, this is a crucial issue as conflicts in mining areas break out regularly and rarely obtain positive results.

Watch this film to see Kalia’s journey unfold and find out what happens where dialogue is promoted, or where voices are ignored.

What members said of the film at its screening in Kiev:

Anila Hajnaj (Albania):

When I watched it the first thought was to stand up and hit the road! We can’t remain sitting still. It’s a big signal for civil society and those who sit in the MSG should make a serious difference. Very dramatic film!

Larysa Mykytko (Ukraine)

I liked so much the beautiful nature and those words of Kalia that she loved her country touched me a lot and echoed in my heart. I looked at those terrible conditions of roads that reminded me a bit of Ukraine and I wondered how the government can remain indifferent? The life of local population seemed so undeserving.. How can we use EITI to claim more accountability from the government?

Zhanibek Khassan (Kazakhstan)

I really liked the video, especially the close up filming. Seeing the sick people in the hospital really touched me. This film not only informs of crucial issues but emboldens fellow campaigners in PWYP coalition to take an action.