Youth in Uzbekistan: personal stories of living through the COVID-19 pandemic

25 March 2021

It’s hardly possible to find someone whose life has not been changed in one way or another because of COVID-19. In this photo story young people from Uzbekistan share their experiences of living through a pandemic and how it has transformed their lives. Such personal experiences reflect on the impact that COVID-19 has had on physical and mental health, relationships, values and priorities for young people facing the future.

Challenges and restrictions posed by the pandemic have been especially difficult for young people, considering the rapid lifestyle changes brought about by the need to follow protective measures and self-isolate. “The pandemic has taught its lesson to almost everyone, including those who didn’t get sick and didn’t lose their loved ones,” notes Ms Lianne Kuppens, WHO Representative and Head of the WHO Country Office in Uzbekistan. “It made them learn something important about themselves, their families, and people around them. I would say that everyone had a unique experience likely to bring a long-lasting impact.”

Here we publish highlights from a photo exhibition run by the WHO Country Office in Uzbekistan in January–February 2021 with the support of the UN Information Centre. Supporting young people to cope with the pandemic and become more resilient for the future remains a priority for WHO.

WHO

Youth in Uzbekistan... 1

Ismigul -

“I guess everyone has learned something about themselves and for themselves in 2020. My biggest fear these days is that this pandemic is not the last one. So, I have realized that I need to be more responsible and kinder, express more love to my family, because I have no one closer than them. I became friends with them, especially with my younger sister. I helped her a lot in her studies online; together we managed to get her to pass to the 3rd grade. One more thing I have learned during COVID-19 is that support is very important, that you need to appreciate people who are with you here and now.”

WHO

Youth in Uzbekistan... 2

Shomurad -

“Thankfully, none of my loved ones suffered from any serious complications from COVID-19, which is why everything is fine. I think what has happened is a lesson for all of humankind. It turns out that we need to spend more time with our families. The pandemic made all of us realize it.”

WHO

Youth in Uzbekistan... 3

Dana -

“COVID-19 helped me understand things that I hadn’t paid attention to before. For example, I love to travel and discover new places and countries. But since all the borders closed, I started to explore my country, Uzbekistan, places I had never visited before. Another thing that the pandemic made me realize is that material things are not that important. What really matters is my family and friends, being in touch with them and taking care of them.”

WHO

Youth in Uzbekistan... 4

Anna -

“None of us expected such a situation as a pandemic of this scale. My main conclusion from what has happened due to COVID-19 is that most of all we should value our health. Not just our own, but also the health of our relatives and friends. During quarantine I was in contact only with my family members, and we got to know each other and understand each other much better than before the pandemic. Moreover, COVID-19 made us realize that nothing should be put off until tomorrow. Everything has to be done now and today.”

WHO

Youth in Uzbekistan... 5

Asadbek -

“During the pandemic I started volunteering at the Expocentre where the government opened a special support centre for the population. 5000 volunteers worked there for 2 months and helped people by answering their questions, distributing food to families in need and supporting them morally. COVID-19 made me understand how vulnerable we all actually are. In situations like this you start appreciating things that have a real value. This is the main lesson that the pandemic taught me. In fact, it has taught all of us to take care and support each other. I don’t think our lives will be the same again.”

WHO

Youth in Uzbekistan... 6

Alisa -

“I have a daughter who is now in primary school. Attending school online was not easy for both of us. She always got distracted and wanted to play with the cell phone instead of studying. I had to think up things to get her attention back. As for myself, I’m also a very active person, so quarantine restrictions became a big challenge for me. Movies, theatres, exhibitions – I lost access to all of them and had to stay at home 24/7. Hopefully, this pandemic won’t last forever, as there are vaccines now. I think that as many people as possible have to be vaccinated. It will make the situation change slowly for the better. I hope all of us learn how to live in this new reality.”

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