ZHANAOZEN – Neighbours and local residents, contributing their efforts into what is known as “Asar” (Together) action have been able to build and provide a home for 40-year Zhanaozen resident and widowed father of four Amanzhol Abdeshev.
Abdeshev’s wife died a few years ago and without an apartment the family had been huddled together in a hostel for more than one year. The family’s eldest son had become the family’s main supporter.
Abdeshev’s plight became known to his colleagues at Uzenmunaygas, where the modest and humble man works as a welder. The young professionals association there turned to the Mangistau region’s governor, asking to support for their charity action Asar (Together) and got down to building a home without saying a word to its future owner.
“It is an ancient Kazakh custom when a village community pools together to do a job that requires much manual effort, like building a house. It is goodwill work for which no payback is asked, and this good tradition is being revived,” said Young Professionals Association Chairman Askar Nogayev.
Several construction companies responded to the young peoples’ request and provided the building materials and labour.
It was not until the roof of the four-room house was almost ready that the future owner learned of the action.
“At first I did not believe it. I thought it was a joke. And after work, I ran to the construction site to make sure and saw the house standing!” overjoyed Abdeshev said.
He even had no land plot for construction. But the Mangistau oblast Akim (Governor) Alik Aidarbayev ordered land next to the school in Rahat village be donated for the home so that the father would no longer have to worry about how his children would get home. The family recently moved in and is enjoying their new home with enough space for everyone. The governor also came over to see the cozy home and congratulate the new owners.
