Frances Tiafoe and Adrian Mannarino, two renowned tennis stars, recently visited the inaugural Asyl Miras Autism Center in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Their visit aimed to bring joy to the children and families affected by autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Upon arrival, Tiafoe and Mannarino distributed gifts and received heartfelt drawings from the children. They were particularly impressed by Aibek, a charming youngster who greeted everyone with a warm handshake and “Salam Alaikum.” Aruna, another child, engaged in a lively conversation with Mannarino, showcasing her impressive English skills.
Tiafoe and Mannarino engaged in developmental games with Aibek and Aruna, focusing on alphabet recognition and character building. Tiafoe was particularly struck by Aibek’s infectious personality, stating, “That kid had way more personality than I do. And that says a lot, as I’ve got a wild personality.”
The visit provided a valuable perspective for the tennis stars. Tiafoe reflected, “It builds a level of perspective. Sometimes it’s so easy to look inward at what you’re doing, complain about your life and things like that. Ultimately a lot of people have it way harder.”
Mannarino echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community. “I think it’s pretty important for us whenever we get some free time to give back to other people and trying to share a little bit of happiness with them, share some good moments.”
The Asyl Miras Autism Center is part of a larger project by the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, which has established 13 centers across Kazakhstan. Since its inception, the foundation has provided free care, education, and resources to over 16,000 children with ASD.
Tiafoe and Mannarino were inspired by the foundation’s mission and the progress made in understanding and supporting individuals with ASD. They acknowledged the need for continued global efforts to create a truly inclusive society.
