The Intercultural School in a Kazakhstani Village

The school in the small village of Kornewka in northern Kazakhstan, founded in 1996 by German priest Fr. Lorenz Gawol, has become a crossroads of different religions and cultures over the past three decades.
The school began with 11 students in its founding year. Today, it has more than 200 pupils from Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant and Muslim families.
Vatican News has featured the school’s story in an article titled “Building bridges between faith and education in Kazakhstan,” highlighting how education can bring together people from different religions and cultures while preparing young people for the challenges of the future.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, when many German families left Kazakhstan to return to their homeland, Fr. Lorenz Gawol decided to stay. He believed that quality education, a sound moral foundation and opportunities for personal development could make a lasting difference in the lives of the children who remained in the village.
Three decades later, the school continues to welcome children from different religious backgrounds, creating an educational environment that brings together pupils from diverse faith communities.
In 2026, the school introduced digital skills courses, provided computers and organized training on artificial intelligence. Students are learning to use various software programs and exploring how artificial intelligence can be used to create applications and games.