Work of charity foundations is not only a search for sponsors and a purchase of a necessary facility or equipment. It is also cooperation with volunteers who are willing to help our wards for free or for a nominal fee. AYALA Foundation in cooperation with several volunteers has projects on studying foreign languages, conducting various master classes, etc. Today we want to introduce you to Maksat Kenzhetai, who teaches English to children of orphanages in Almaty.
Hello, Maksat. Please, tell us a little about yourself. When did you decide to become a volunteer?
For a little over a year now I have been a member of the holding company ADD CAPITAL. Since I obtained a higher education in China I work mainly with partners from China. It is often necessary to use foreign languages. At some point, I thought that I could become a volunteer in this field.
Inside I always had a desire to make some contribution to the development of the society, so I entered a volunteer club at the university. In student years we often participated in various social projects and educational events. I remember, at the lectures on sociology a professor was telling that the world itself was not quite fair and one of the signs of civilization was how many people in the country were engaged in volunteering. I appeal to the concept of a civilized society, so I try to find free time for this.
In which projects do you participate and why?
At the moment twice a week I work with children from SOS Children`s Village Almaty. Before I worked with children from the orphanage No. 1, but they grew up and each took their own way. I hope that in the future there will be even more children who will want to study.
Children are innocent creatures; they do not choose conditions under which to come to this world. But we, adults, have the opportunity to somehow influence their lives for the better. And I believe that there is nothing more effective and productive for a child and for his bright future than good education, upbringing and care. Therefore, in my example, I try to show children what can be achieved on the path of education.
What does volunteering give you?
It is a good chance to look at the reality around in a different way and see that help can be very diverse. From money donations to allocation of free time for classes with children. To teach them foreign languages, to help them in getting skills that for sure will come in handy in their adult life, or just play outdoors or do sports on weekends.
It can even be said that through the concept of volunteering you rethink life values, in some way the process of character formation continues, but at a different level.
Of course, it is not always possible to find free time. Nowadays the life rhythm is very fast, every minute is planned, there are priorities, personal ambitions, goals, etc. But I personally believe that the allocation of a few hours of free time to improve the society is a minimal sacrifice in comparison with the potential positive effect. Figuratively speaking, this creates a multiplicative effect, where individuals who get help from volunteers now, will help others in the future, but at a higher level and with greater enthusiasm. In the process of volunteering the image of a seed that you plant into the ground involuntarily comes to mind and you hope that in the future it will germinate and grow into a large and strong tree. And then on the place of this single tree there will be a whole forest.
Has participation in volunteer projects somehow affected your character? How exactly?
As I already mentioned, volunteering is a good way to expand your social horizon, get life experience, and begin to love society and your country, share common enthusiasm from the process of improving of the social environment. After each event there is a re-perception of some views. There are people that will be good from a little attention. Every time I see my students gladly studying the subject or telling about their good grades at school, or their teachers telling about the positive impact of my classes on the way the children live, I understand that I do not make efforts in vain.
Maksat, do you keep in touch with any of the children?
Like everyone else the children I work with use a variety of social networks. Through them you can watch different moments of their lives, sharing and rejoicing with them. I try to keep more in touch with their tutors. They can keep me informed with the children's progress during school breaks.
