Our history

Once upon a time, workers were not servants. They worked. They developed honor, absolute honor, as befits honor. The chair leg had to be done correctly. It was natural and understandable. This came first. There was no need for it to be done for the sake of the salary or in proportion to it. It should not have been done for the sake of the owner, for the sake of the experts, or for the sake of the owner's clients. The chair leg had to be made well, in general, by itself, by its nature. The surviving tradition, coming from the depths of the race, history, absolute, honor - all this demanded that that leg of the stool be made correctly. And every inconspicuous detail of the chair was processed as perfectly as the visible parts. Similar to the principle of cathedrals.
Ch. Peguy

2001

A group of young Italian and Kazakh friends buys an old kindergarten in Almaty and begins repairs. This initiative was born out of a desire to create a beautiful and hospitable place for the children and youth of Almaty who live in difficult situations.

Two non-profit associations are established: Alpha and Omega, which will manage the structure of the Youth Center and MASP, the purposes of which will be to develop and implement social and educational activities that will be held at the Youth Center.

2002

2002 - 2003

In October 2002, the Youth Center was opened and the implementation of MASP activities began.

AVSI, an Italian foundation, is actively involved in the implementation of the first vocational training projects for young people and women in need, supporting MASP with the help of Campagna Tende and the opening of the project “Long-distance Support" for children living in difficult situations. This project is still ongoing, thanks to which thousands of children have received support.

MASP implements career guidance, vocational training and employment projects for adolescents and young people at risk, as well as women living in poverty and social disadvantage. This work covers hundreds of beneficiaries and is carried out in collaboration with non-profit associations such as Misereor, Renovabis, the European Commission and the Austrian Government.

2004 - 2008

2011 - 2014

During this period, the methods of conducting vocational training seminars are being reviewed and improved in order to reach adolescents and young people with special needs who have physical and mental disabilities. From year to year, they improve in the process of work and individual approach for each beneficiary. The projects are carried out thanks to the financing of Philip Morris Kazakhstan, JTI International, Solidarty Charitable Trust.

In 2012, MASP became a founding member of AVSI. In addition, MASP works in conjunction with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Kazakhstan. The project is aimed at working with refugees from Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and China.

2012 - 2016

Activities for adults are organized, as well as activities to integrate children in need into schools, encouraging the creation of small family businesses through forms of microcredit.

2017 - 2023

Rehabilitation rooms for children with severe disabilities are being organised and launched with the support of local foundations and Renovabis, which, together with AVSI, regularly support this activity and annually help hundreds of children.

In 2019, a small social enterprise Masp Artisan House was established, which employs five girls with special needs, in order to produce textiles and sell them in stores in Almaty. The project was launched thanks to the support of Samruk-Kazyna.

Thanks to local foundations, CEI and the Austrian government, MASP is working on Covid-19 awareness and prevention activities such as the distribution of masks, gloves and antiseptics. In addition, MASP provides assistance to the Employment Department of the Ministry of Social Programs of Almaty in the distribution of food and medicines during the months of closure of the city and suspension of work, schooling, etc.

2020 - 2022

2020 - 2023

Opening of a social warehouse of second-hand items for collection and distribution to the poor. The launch of the project was supported by RoAid. The work of the project is aimed not only at providing the population with clothes, but also carries an environmental value. In the process of collecting things, sorting and recycling are carried out. The Masp Artisan House project recycles materials such as jeans, shirts, ties and advertising posters. This activity is also supported by some local companies and the Asso Calzaturifici Association.