Return to a Peaceful Life

Note: All names have been changed.

The autumn sun gently bathes the courtyard, where four children are excitedly preparing for a special occasion: the birthday of Nurali. The family is heading to the market to gather ingredients for the celebration. Tonight, they will bake cinnamon rolls, and tomorrow the guests will arrive. But behind this happy scene lies a long and challenging journey of adaptation.

Nurali and his three sisters – Zarina, Aliya, and Raikhana – returned to Kyrgyzstan. They had found themselves in a conflict zone after their mother brought them to Iraq. Their return was made possible by a mission led by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic.

When they first arrived, their eyes were filled with fear and uncertainty, but over the past two years, their lives have changed significantly.

Adulthood and new beginnings

Children raised in conflict zones often face harsh conditions with no schools, no health care, and no opportunities to play or just be a child. This affects their wellbeing and behaviour. This is why UNICEF, with funding of the European Union, has been working to support them to adapt as swiftly as possible when they come back home to Kyrgyzstan.

Zarina, the oldest of the siblings, is now 21 and married. Despite some struggles in the beginning, Zarina was able to adapt rather quickly to her new life. Her interest in education helped her to excel at school and socialize with her peers. 

Aliya, now 17, was very shy in her first year of coming back to Kyrgyzstan. However, with the help of social workers and her new family, she has gained confidence. She is currently studying finance and credit at college.

Mental health and psychosocial support upon arrival has been crucial in identifying ongoing needs and helping children adjust. To that end, an integrated set of services was delivered at the transit centre, where all repatriated children and women are initially accommodated, before transitioning back to their communities. This support has been recognized by both returnees and stakeholders as playing a critical role in facilitating reintegration.

Nurali, who is about to turn 16, struggled to adapt to his new environment for quite some time.

“When we first arrived here, I couldn’t get used to it: everything felt too quiet and calm. But I realized that freedom means being able to walk around without fear. Here I’ve learned not to be afraid,” he says.

In addition to emotional challenges, Nurali faced serious health issues.

On his arrival in Kyrgyzstan, like all repatriated children, Nurali underwent a comprehensive medical examination. This revealed an intestinal problem. His treatment is ongoing, and he is recovering well.

Nurali still misses his mother, who remains in Iraq.

“My mother is always in my heart, but I don’t want to return to Iraq,” he shares.

Raikhana, the youngest sibling, has just started school. She was only three years old when they returned to Kyrgyzstan, and she adapted to her new life quickly.

“I don’t remember much about Iraq. But I love everything here: the weather, and the fact that I can run around. I like playing with my soft toys: there’s an elephant named Vaska, and a bear called Ayushka. I walk with my brother and sister, and when they play chess, I do my homework, which they check for me,” she says.

Looking ahead

Repatriated children often live with relatives if they have come home without their mothers. These families, along with the broader community in which they live, play a crucial role in the children’s adaptation and development.

Government social workers are assigned to help the children and their families to plan what support they need to live in Kyrgyzstan. These social workers do their best to visit the families as often as they can, and make sure they have the support they need.

The children affectionately call their guardian, Gulia Akhmedova, “Mum”. Gulia recalls that in the early days, the children had to learn even the most basic hygiene skills.

“At first, they refused to tidy the house and didn’t know how to brush their teeth or care for their hair. But with time, we worked things out,” she says.

Today, the children are full of hope for the future. Aliya dreams of working in a bank, while Nurali wants to become a programmer and move to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. They view the future optimistically, eager to develop in every aspect.

Since 2019, Kyrgyzstan has repatriated over 400 children from conflict zones. With the financial support from the European Union and U.S. Department of State UNICEF is continuing to provide the necessary assistance to help these children reintegrate into normal life.