Freedom 250: “Partnering with Youth to Build Stronger Communities Through Education and Leadership”
Growing up in Dashoguz, Turkmenistan, Kasym Jumayev worked in youth development through NGO Eco Durmush and saw how limited English and global exposure restricted opportunities. In 2023, he joined the C5+O.N.E. (Opening Networks Through English) program, gaining skills in English, leadership, and collaboration that expanded his impact.
He later received a U.S. Embassy Alumni Small Grant to launch “Roots of the Future – Rural Youth Taking Action,” empowering youth through training and civic engagement. “Thanks to the program, I found a stronger voice for my ideas,” he shares.
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, his story highlights the impact of U.S.-supported programs in strengthening leadership and cooperation. The C5+O.N.E. network now includes over 200 graduates and 140 current participants in Turkmenistan, a growing community of professionals advancing local development and shared prosperity.
Growing up in Dashoguz, Turkmenistan, Kasym Jumayev worked in youth development through NGO Eco Durmush and saw how limited English and global exposure restricted opportunities. In 2023, he joined the C5+O.N.E. (Opening Networks Through English) program, gaining skills in English, leadership, and collaboration that expanded his impact.
He later received a U.S. Embassy Alumni Small Grant to launch “Roots of the Future – Rural Youth Taking Action,” empowering youth through training and civic engagement. “Thanks to the program, I found a stronger voice for my ideas,” he shares.
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, his story highlights the impact of U.S.-supported programs in strengthening leadership and cooperation. The C5+O.N.E. network now includes over 200 graduates and 140 current participants in Turkmenistan, a growing community of professionals advancing local development and shared prosperity.
Exploring Business Innovation and Workplace Culture at Freedom Pay in Kazakhstan
Cohort 5 participants from Almaty visited Freedom Pay as part of a field visit aimed at connecting classroom learning with real-world practices in the financial technology sector. The visit offered students a closer look at how modern fintech companies are transforming digital payments, banking services, and workplace culture in today’s rapidly evolving economy.
During the visit, participants learned about the company’s approach to employee well-being, flexibility, and productivity, while also discussing the high expectations and fast-paced nature of the financial technology industry. Students reflected on how workplace culture and office design can influence motivation, creativity, and overall performance.
Field visits remain one of the key components of the C5+O.N.E. Program, strengthening participants’ practical understanding and professional outlook by connecting them with real-world examples.
Cohort 5 participants from Almaty visited Freedom Pay as part of a field visit aimed at connecting classroom learning with real-world practices in the financial technology sector. The visit offered students a closer look at how modern fintech companies are transforming digital payments, banking services, and workplace culture in today’s rapidly evolving economy.
During the visit, participants learned about the company’s approach to employee well-being, flexibility, and productivity, while also discussing the high expectations and fast-paced nature of the financial technology industry. Students reflected on how workplace culture and office design can influence motivation, creativity, and overall performance.
Field visits remain one of the key components of the C5+O.N.E. Program, strengthening participants’ practical understanding and professional outlook by connecting them with real-world examples.
❤1
From Innovative Education to Modern Industry
Cohort 5 participants in Tashkent visited School 21, a free and innovative IT education initiative where learning happens through collaboration, peer-to-peer support, and hands-on projects. During the visit, participants explored how future software engineers and digital specialists develop practical skills by working on real-world challenges together. The experience highlighted the growing role of modern education in strengthening the digital economy and preparing the next generation workforce. A few days later, another group of participants visited Fergana GLOBAL TEXTILE company to see how technology and industry come together in large-scale textile production. Participants followed the journey of cotton from cleaning and spinning to weaving and fabric dyeing, while also exploring factory laboratories where modern technologies help improve fabric quality, durability, and color resistance.
Cohort 5 participants in Tashkent visited School 21, a free and innovative IT education initiative where learning happens through collaboration, peer-to-peer support, and hands-on projects. During the visit, participants explored how future software engineers and digital specialists develop practical skills by working on real-world challenges together. The experience highlighted the growing role of modern education in strengthening the digital economy and preparing the next generation workforce. A few days later, another group of participants visited Fergana GLOBAL TEXTILE company to see how technology and industry come together in large-scale textile production. Participants followed the journey of cotton from cleaning and spinning to weaving and fabric dyeing, while also exploring factory laboratories where modern technologies help improve fabric quality, durability, and color resistance.
👍3
Media is too big
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
C5+O.N.E. EXPERTS
We are starting a new series featuring C5+O.N.E. experts — a new chapter dedicated to the inspiring professionals who share their knowledge and experience with participants through webinars, conferences, and interactive sessions.
We are pleased to share a video message from Dr. Giuseppe Chiaramonte, who talks about how C5+O.N.E. impacts not only participants, but also the experts themselves.
In the video, Dr. Giuseppe Chiaramonte reflects on his experience with the program and shares how working with participants through webinars, conferences, and discussions has impacted his professional and personal journey.
We are starting a new series featuring C5+O.N.E. experts — a new chapter dedicated to the inspiring professionals who share their knowledge and experience with participants through webinars, conferences, and interactive sessions.
We are pleased to share a video message from Dr. Giuseppe Chiaramonte, who talks about how C5+O.N.E. impacts not only participants, but also the experts themselves.
In the video, Dr. Giuseppe Chiaramonte reflects on his experience with the program and shares how working with participants through webinars, conferences, and discussions has impacted his professional and personal journey.
Media is too big
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
C5+O.N.E. EXPERTS
In this video of our C5+O.N.E. Expert Series, Elena V. Son-LaRocco discusses the future of U.S.–Central Asia cooperation, highlighting the growing interest of American businesses and organizations in engaging with the region and expanding partnerships across key sectors.
C5+O.N.E. graduates represent the next generation of leaders capable of building strong international connections and driving economic growth, leading businesses, fostering innovation, and contributing to the shared prosperity of both the United States and Central Asia.
Watch the video to hear Elena's insights on the future of this important partnership. @Elena_V_Son
In this video of our C5+O.N.E. Expert Series, Elena V. Son-LaRocco discusses the future of U.S.–Central Asia cooperation, highlighting the growing interest of American businesses and organizations in engaging with the region and expanding partnerships across key sectors.
C5+O.N.E. graduates represent the next generation of leaders capable of building strong international connections and driving economic growth, leading businesses, fostering innovation, and contributing to the shared prosperity of both the United States and Central Asia.
Watch the video to hear Elena's insights on the future of this important partnership. @Elena_V_Son
Experienced Teachers Share Best Practices at National Training of Teachers in Tajikistan
On May 29, C5+O.N.E. (Opening Networks Through English) brought together ten English teachers in Dushanbe for the National Training of Teachers (NToT), preparing them to lead Cohort 7 “English for the Economy” classes. A highlight of the training was a peer-learning session where experienced teachers from Cohorts 5 and 6 shared their favorite classroom activities, practical teaching tips, and lessons learned from their C5+O.N.E. experience. Their insights sparked new ideas and reinforced the power of collaboration among educators.
Participants also explored innovative topics, including artificial intelligence (AI) and critical thinking, student engagement strategies, and the Freedom 250 Trivia game, designed to help learners better understand the history and culture of the United States in an interactive format, while strengthening their skills in delivering English for Specific Purposes (ESP) instruction.
On May 29, C5+O.N.E. (Opening Networks Through English) brought together ten English teachers in Dushanbe for the National Training of Teachers (NToT), preparing them to lead Cohort 7 “English for the Economy” classes. A highlight of the training was a peer-learning session where experienced teachers from Cohorts 5 and 6 shared their favorite classroom activities, practical teaching tips, and lessons learned from their C5+O.N.E. experience. Their insights sparked new ideas and reinforced the power of collaboration among educators.
Participants also explored innovative topics, including artificial intelligence (AI) and critical thinking, student engagement strategies, and the Freedom 250 Trivia game, designed to help learners better understand the history and culture of the United States in an interactive format, while strengthening their skills in delivering English for Specific Purposes (ESP) instruction.