From 2002 to 2007, Karachaganak Petroleum Operating, B.V. (KPO) allocated nearly 426 million tenge for the implementation of social projects in the village of Berezovka. The funding was used for gasification of the village, trash removal, repairs and improvements to the water supply system, and renovations to the Cultural Center and the school. According to the members of the community organization “Zhasyl dala”, which was developed by an initiative group of Berezovka residents, the quality of life in the village continues to decline. This deterioration is caused not only by KPO’s pollution of the environment, but also by the social “assistance” provided by the consortium.
Photos: Sergey Solyanik.