Nurbank celebrates its 30th anniversary. Over the past three decades, the bank has financed projects for both existing and startup businesses in socially significant areas such as manufacturing, healthcare, education, professional scientific and technical activities, and has participated in government programs promoting SME development.
The success and achievements of the bank have been made possible thanks to its partners—both those who have grown with the bank over the decades and relatively new clients who have recently begun collaborating with the bank but have achieved significant results through its support, collective effort, and shared commitment to set goals.
Nurbank's philosophy is to benefit society and improve the lives of Kazakhs. One of the projects reflecting the bank's philosophy is the network of care homes for the elderly "Blagodat," established by Tatiana Adietova, the owner and Nurbank's partner.
— How did you come up with the idea of creating care homes for the elderly?
In 2011, my husband and I moved to Russia for his work, where we spent 1.5 years. We lived in a communal apartment, and our neighbors were two elderly women. One was a WWII sniper who had completely lost her vision, and the other worked in a maternity hospital after the war. Both were lonely.
Upon learning that there were new neighbors in the communal apartment, they started seeking our help, and we began assisting them. When I was about to return home, one of the elderly women gave me a letter and asked me to read it on the train. I read it and cried, as she expressed her gratitude in a very touching way. It was at that moment that I considered the idea of creating care homes for the elderly.
What fears and doubts did you face on the path to establishing such a complex business?
Initially, my husband tried to dissuade me from this idea, considering it a very serious endeavor requiring a lifetime commitment. I assured him that I was ready for this and had thought it through thoroughly.
I consciously chose a social direction for my business. We were not deterred by the challenges and difficulties associated with caring for the elderly. We knew what we were getting into; this is the work of our lives and our family. My children and relatives work in the homes. My mother regularly visits to check on the elderly and treat them with homemade baked goods.
I always say—this is not a business for me, this is my life. I am constantly engaged in my care homes. I always remember my promises to the elderly and worry about them. Even during difficult times, the thought of abandoning this never crosses my mind.
— How has your business developed?
In 2017, we opened a care home for the elderly accommodating 20 people in a rented building. I aimed to furnish it in a way that it felt less like an institutional facility and more like a cozy, comfortable home.
As more people became aware of us, they began to recommend us, prompting the question of expansion. The rent was high and, most importantly, unsustainable. Thus, we decided to purchase a home.
Today, we have 6 houses in Karaganda (215 people), 1 house in Nur-Sultan (40 people), and 1 in Kostanay (30 people). These are two to three-level equipped cottages in central city areas, featuring central communications, convenient locations, fenced territories, and facilities designed for the comfortable living of the elderly and disabled. Every new home is built up from scratch with significant investments. We purchase beds, special anti-bedsore mattresses, wheelchairs, walkers, massagers, ducks, dishes, furniture, etc. Diapers and incontinence pads are regular expenses, along with many others.
Primarily, families approach us to accommodate their parents and relatives requiring special care and attention. Families visit the residents regularly; some come daily. Occasionally, elderly individuals are placed with us temporarily during their family’s long-term travel, or after heart attacks, strokes, fractures, and cases of dementia.
In the care homes, we provide guests not only with accommodation and meals, but also a comprehensive range of services. We have psychologists, caregivers, massage therapists, paramedics, administrators, and technical staff. Each meeting, I thank everyone for their work and say: “Let’s ensure that our grandmothers and grandfathers have a happy old age! May they feel comfort, care, and love!”.
Our staff administers IVs, injections, catheters, ostomy bags, etc., according to the doctor's directions. We even have a ventilator purchased as a precaution during the COVID-19 pandemic, though no one got sick during this time. We diligently monitored the health of the elderly, and staff members regularly took PCR tests and got vaccinated.
Our residents engage in board games, drawing, mosaics, and physical exercises. On holidays, we organize festive lunches, celebrate residents' birthdays, and occasionally host dance evenings.
— What products from Nurbank helped you in building your life's work?
— Initially, we utilized refinancing from Nurbank, which significantly reduced our payment rates. Later, we took out a loan from Nurbank under the DAMU program to purchase a home. The terms, interest rate, and service provided by the bank suited us. I especially highlight the work of Deputy Director for Corporate Business and SME Spiridonova Tatyana Gennadievna and Head of the SME Client Service Department at the Nurbank branch in Karaganda, Marina Wunsch, as very competent specialists and professionals. Whenever we reached out, we always received prompt responses and attentive service. The human factor is very important when working with a bank, as we trust it with the most crucial financial matters. Therefore, we select a bank that offers the most convenient and comfortable service. I particularly value warm relationships with Nurbank staff.
— What difficulties have you encountered along the way?
— A major difficulty is finding good workers. It's not easy to find a good and responsible caregiver. We have high demands for our staff as it is hard work and well-compensated here.
— What are your future plans?
— We plan to combine elderly care homes with orphanages. Additionally, we aim to offer not only palliative care but also rehabilitative services. We plan to purchase a house where we can provide water massage and treatments, phytotherapy, and plan to buy equipment for making oxygen cocktails. We sincerely hope that Nurbank will support us again in these endeavors.
— What achievements would you like to share?
— I believe that in our social business, we have achieved great heights; we were the first to open such a home in the city, hence the high demand for its services. I can confidently say that today, there are no better services or wider service range than our homes.
We strive to maintain high standards, constantly improve, and expand our services. We have acquired multifunctional beds, and together with the engineers from the rehabilitation center "Luch," we developed a hoist for the critically ill, which greatly assists us. We paid for the construction, design, and development.
We participate in many competitions and frequently become winners. Our activities are certified according to international ISO standards.
Our homes have created 90 jobs. While some of our staff have medical education, we've trained almost all employees in first aid protocols.
— What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
— The main thing is not to fear challenges. I would say: those who do not work do not face challenges. If you fall, get up and move forward, seek reliable partners, and find work you are passionate about.
I am glad I encountered a reliable partner in the form of Nurbank. I wish Nurbank further success and progress. We look forward to new products and services from you, so we can continue to develop and build our business.
The Nurbank branch in Karaganda opened in October 2009 and continues to strengthen its presence in the Karaganda region. The regional economy shows positive growth dynamics in the industrial, construction, social, and service sectors. The Karaganda region is a significant region for the country, contributing around 8% of the nation's GDP.
The key business areas financed by the Nurbank branch in Karaganda are the service sector—82% (particularly projects for building modern-format shopping centers and retail-service centers), manufacturing—8.5%, the social sector—5%, with the remainder in trade, etc.
The branch participates in financing clients through government programs, playing a role in anti-crisis programs during the state of emergency and pandemic in the country.
The branch supports social projects. For instance, in 2021, projects for acquiring real estate for the comfortable living of the elderly and disabled, as well as a project for the renovation and opening of a kindergarten in one of the Karaganda region's satellite cities were financed. Currently, financing has been approved for a project to acquire equipment for opening a modern clinic in Temirtau (a startup project within the framework of the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) Program).
The Nurbank branch in Karaganda offers a full range of banking services for both small and medium enterprises and the population.
Source: http://ekaraganda.kz/