One of the important days of the Nauryznama decade is Charity Day. This holiday aims to foster a culture of caring and kindness in society, promoting compassion and responsiveness.
It is known that, at the initiative of Kazakhstan, the UN declared 2026 the "International Year of Volunteers." President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev regularly emphasizes the importance of supporting youth activity in this field.
Merey Sagadatuly is one of these active young people for whom charity and volunteerism have become a life principle. In our interview, we discussed the importance of charity during Nauryz, the role of volunteerism in society, and youth interest in this field.
– Merey Sagadatuly, let's start with you. How long have you been volunteering?
– I was born in the Algau district of the Aktobe region. My volunteer journey began four years ago in the city of Aktobe. This was one of the most important turning points in my life. Then, volunteer trainers from the United Nations Population Fund came to the Nazarbayev Intellectual School, where I studied, and conducted an informational training. At first glance, it might have seemed like a routine meeting, but this training had a profound impact on my worldview and laid a solid foundation for my personal development. After this meeting, I began to understand the essence of volunteerism more deeply.
Since then, I learned the basics of volunteering at the Y-PEER volunteer network branch located at the Ospanov West Kazakhstan Medical University, and I participated in informational meetings and trainings for schoolchildren and college students. Thus began my journey in volunteering, with an informational focus. This experience taught me how to communicate freely with people, convey useful information to society, feel responsible, and be sensitive to the problems of each person.
– What inspired you to become a volunteer?
– I began participating in charity events while still in school. This opened up a new dimension of volunteering for me. While informational work focused on sharing useful information and influencing people's consciousness, charity focused on concrete assistance, caring, and supporting those in need. It was then that I realized something crucial: doing good doesn't require great resources or large sums of money. Sometimes, a sincere desire, simple caring, and a dedicated amount of time can be the greatest help.
This experience made me think more deeply about volunteering. At first, I perceived it as work in specific areas, but over time, I realized that volunteering is a holistic concept. Yes, it can be informational, social, environmental, or charitable. But all of these areas have a common core: serving people, benefiting society, and supporting those in need. Therefore, for me, volunteering isn't about working in a specific field, but about a way of life.
– What is the most important value of charity for you?
– In my opinion, the main value of charity is humanity and caring for others. Charity brings people together, strengthens mutual trust and kindness. It's not just about providing assistance, but also about cultivating spiritual qualities in a person. After all, good deeds are a great force, capable of making society a better place.
– What symbolic significance do you think good deeds have during the Nauryz holiday?
– I believe that charity on Nauryz is especially important. Nauryz is a holiday of renewal, rebirth, mercy, unity, harmony, and well-being. On such days, by performing good deeds, we not only help others but also strengthen a culture of mutual assistance and care in society. In Kazakh tradition, Nauryz is a time when people forget grievances, wish each other well, and begin a new stage of life with good intentions. Therefore, for me, charity on Nauryz is a way to begin a new period with good deeds and bring warmth to those around me.
– What does the declaration of this year as the Year of Volunteers mean to you?
– I am very happy about it. I believe that no matter how much attention and support is given to this area, it can never be too much. Volunteering has taught me not only to be useful to society but also to develop myself. Along the way, I've learned patience, responsibility, leadership, the ability to find common ground with people, and teamwork.
Most importantly, volunteering has taught me not to remain indifferent to the fates of others. Today, I view volunteering not simply as community service, but as an indicator of a person's inner culture and conscious position. After all, being a volunteer isn't just about helping; it's about contributing to the development of society, giving hope to others, and fostering goodness.