Living in a new country can make familiar values from home feel different. In Prague, women from Kyrgyzstan came together to talk about family, community, and memories of their homeland, reflecting on the lives they have led and the lives they are building today.

On October 31, the Czech Prague Branch of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) held the first session of a workshop titled “Harmony Begins at Home” with members of the Kyrgyz diaspora community. The workshop offered Kyrgyz women living in Prague a welcoming space to connect with one another and reflect on their roots, their present lives, and their hopes for the future.

The first activity was called “Yellow Wave”. Sitting in a circle, participants passed a yellow wave from one person to another. The activity invited them to consider how their words and actions affect those around them. Afterwards, they shared what the experience meant to them.

One participant described herself as the “sun” in her family. Another said the activity reminded her that we are all connected. One participant also reflected that she could not pass on to her son something she had not yet learned or achieved herself. Their comments led to a conversation about the example they set for their families and what they hope to pass on to the next generation.

In the next activity, “My Tree”, participants used felt fabric to represent their lives as trees. The roots represented where they were born and raised, their families, their past, and the languages they had spoken. The trunk represented the experiences and interests that have shaped who they are, as well as the people with whom they spend their time. The branches and upper part of the tree represented their dreams and hopes for the future.

As they worked on their trees, participants began sharing more personal stories. One spoke about a difficult period in which, despite usually appearing positive, she had begun to lose sight of what she enjoyed and felt uncertain about how to move forward. Others talked about missing the respect for elders and sense of community they had known in Kyrgyzstan. They described feeling a stronger sense of connection and belonging back home, while experiencing Czech society as more individualistic.

The conversation also turned to family relationships, particularly the balance between a household formed after marriage and one’s family of origin. Participants exchanged views on how involved parents and siblings should be in the lives of a family built around a husband and children. Their discussion highlighted how cultural backgrounds and personal experiences can shape different understandings of family.

To close the workshop, participants were given a small task to complete before the next session: spend at least 10 minutes each day doing something for themselves over the following week. The aim was to encourage them to pay attention not only to their families and communities, but also to their own feelings and needs.

Throughout the workshop, the women reflected on the cultures they grew up with, their experiences of living in the Czech Republic, and their roles within their families. It was an opportunity for women with different life experiences to share their stories and listen to one another.