The narrative of Aida, owner of Bel-Tam Yurt Camp, is an example of how CBT gives young people a chance to participate in cultural exchanges. Bel-Tam Yurt Camp is located on the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake providing a lake- front yurt experience as a fusion of nomadic and western cultures.
Aida has strived to build a place that serves as a source of adventure and authenticity, “I always wondered how great it would be if there was away to share our knowledge and culture with the tourists and make friends with them,” she recalls. She has successfully provided such an experience to countless tourists since the opening of Bel-Tam in 2001. One day early on in the yurt camp’s development, Aida was so frustrated with a lack of guests that she challenged herself to close down if there were no tourists in the next 24 hours. That day a group of German tourists arrived which she interpreted as a sign to keep persevering. The name “Bel-Tam”, refers to small mountain constructions made from clay and stones that serve as rest stops for shepherds.
Over the years, Bel-Tam became a place that transformed the lives of local young people. Aida provides opportunities for young people which reduces local migration towards big cities. The research team witnessed how the entire yurt camp was efficiently supervised by a team of young people, speaking good English and attending to the needs of guests. Some young people come every year during their summer break from school to gain work experience, practise their English and make extra income. Aida noted that working at Bel-Tam has changed their mindset because foreign guests from diverse backgrounds help young people to broaden their horizons and be inspired to set new life goals. As a result, the majority of young people have shown interest in studying abroad or travelling.
Over the years, Bel-Tam has become an alma mater to local tourism specialists. For example Tolganay started working during her summer breaksat Bel-Tam and Aida remembers her as, “small and fragile but very positive and bright”. Tolgany captured her experiences of working at the camp in an essay: ‘90 days of my unique summer break’.
“I'm stronger, my motivation has changed. I don't know what it would be like if I hadn't been in that environment. But now I have a different outlook on life and I have very different values and plans for life.”
Tolganay studied at Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University in Bishkek, majoring in technology, and is now a manager of the Kol Fest festival. Aida mentioned with a twinkle in her eye, “I'm very proud of her and I'm sure she will go far in life.”
Entrepreneurs like Aida are providing learning and growth opportunities for local youth that they would otherwise not have access to.