If you may recall, at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the United Nations declared 2026 the International Year of Volunteers. In this regard, a Decade of Kindness has officially started at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University under the slogan “The Energy of Kindness is an Eternal Trend!” Over the course of ten days, the University will host a series of events aimed at promoting the values of volunteerism and charity.

The opening of the Decade began with the “Kindness Fair.” During the fair, students offered homemade sweets and beverages for sale, while book-loving students sold books they had already read. The funds raised will be allocated through the “Kind Shelter” campaign to support an animal shelter in Almaty, as well as to produce bird feeders.

In addition, several other socially significant projects are planned throughout the Decade. These include the charity event “Benefit: Today Is My Birthday” at a local orphanage, the environmental campaign “Paperlife: Give Paper a Second Life!”, the nationwide initiative “Let’s Care for the Birds,” and the “Kindness Basket” event dedicated to supporting veterans.

“Active participation in initiatives that promote goodwill, kindness, and volunteerism undoubtedly contributes to shaping students into competent professionals and dedicated future educators. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone supporting this meaningful initiative,” said Gulmira Niyetbayeva, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology, during the opening ceremony.

It is worth noting that the charity Decade is being carried out at the initiative of the “Meirim” Volunteer Organization, which currently brings together more than 100 students. By uniting thought, word, and action, they strive to contribute positively to society. The organization actively develops student volunteerism and initiates socially important projects.

Several events within the Decade are also being held as part of the nationwide environmental campaign Taza Qazaqstan, which encourages young people to protect nature, act responsibly toward the environment, and make a meaningful contribution to society.

 Abai University Media Center