Our mission is to reduce digital and educational inequalities.

The situation with the
digital divide in education is getting worse.

300,000 children in Kazakhstan do not have a personal computer. This is 10% of the total number of students in the country. Of these, 20,000 children in the Almaty region were left without opportunities for full-fledged distance learning. That is why the "Connect-Ed" initiative aimed at overcoming digital divide was launched.

3,000,000

total pupils
Kazakhstan

300,000

pupils do not have a personal computer in Kazakhstan

20,000

children in Almaty region were left without opportunities for full-fledged distance learning

Our Idea

came on April 8, 2020 among educational activists Gulnaz Kordanova and Daniyar Kussainov during quarantine. They spent 24/7 at home and realized how important it was to have access to technology in order to continue working and be useful to society. In fact, even in 2020, having a personal computer at home and stable access to the Internet and technology remains a privilege.

Our initiative was immediately supported by the Soros Foundation-Kazakhstan, which allocated funds to a special reserve to help the most vulnerable groups of the population, among them children who were left without access to computers and technologies. Our team consists of four active enthusiasts who are not indifferent to the current situation: Anar, Gulnaz, Daniyar and Tomas.

Connect-Ed

Connect-Ed (from English “connect” - link and “Ed” abbreviated from “education”)

Our team

Gulnaz Kordanova

A specialist in the field of education. Conducts our negotiations with partners and is responsible for the strategy.

Daniyar Kussainov

A specialist in research and development. Conducts our negotiations with donors and is responsible for fundraising.

Anar Zholdoshbek kyzy

A specialist in the field of Digital Marketing and SMM. Leads our social networks and is responsible for promotion.

Tomas Akynov

An IT specialist. Developed our platform and is responsible for all technical issues.

Nessie Kozhakhmetova

A specialist in the communication with partners and donors.

Alikhan Serikbolov

Student. Helps with materials for social media and website design.

Zhandos Khakimov

A monitoring and evaluation intern.

Daniyel Zhaksylyk

A monitoring and evaluation intern.

Niknaz Tillavaldyyeva

Digital literacy development coordinator.

Our volunteers

Balerke Alimkhanova

Teacher of Physics. Helps with the translation of texts to Kazakh.

Maria Zhumabayeva

Translator and interpreter. Helps with a translation of our website to English/Russian.

Assel Umirzakova

Business analyst. Helps with crowdfunding campaigns.

Balnur Tazhikhan

Student. Helps with the translation of texts to Kazakh on our Social Media Pages

Elmira Abdualiyeva

Helps with social media promotion.

Yedige Kinayat

Student. Helps with filming videos for our website and social media pages.

Aidana Bassenova

Supervisor Finance. Helps with crowdfunding campaigns, regional coordinator in Kyzylorda oblast.

Kundyz Mukhtar

Student. Helps with the translation of texts to Kazakh on our Social Media Pages