Akzhol recalls how it all started: "Everything seemed harmless when I was in company. I first tried alcohol in the 8th grade. Even in the orphanage, I had already started to abuse it. Stressful situations only worsened the situation: I turned to alcohol to numb my pain and avoid responsibility. It provided temporary relief, but the problems only grew, returning to me like a snowball."
"From this, I concluded: alcohol does not solve problems.""Living on the streets, I witnessed many sad events. There is a concept of 'the spirit of vagrancy': when a person goes to the streets, it becomes difficult for them to return to normal life. Many remain in this state, believing they are free from responsibility, but in reality, they are destroying themselves and their relationships with others. This leads to sad consequences: degradation becomes so deep that a person stops caring about their condition and seeks a 'dose' just to forget."
"Everyone goes through their own path, but the result is almost always the same: many years in such a state destroy a person.""The system of our foundation is as follows: the first six months of living are completely free. We provide housing, food, and necessary items. In return, participants help at the day center, learning to accompany the homeless to hospitals, arrange documents, and interact with medical staff. After a medical examination, they help in the kitchen, shower, laundry, and participate in repairs," shares Kubataev.
Akzhol is one of the brightest examples of successful adaptation. "I have known him for over 15 years. When we first met, he looked lost. Now he has an official job — he is a hairdresser, cooks well, and creates paintings. We have three more guys who have also successfully adapted and are now working — two in a hospice, one in another adaptation house with our partners. We see that adaptation really works. People who were on the streets yesterday are becoming full members of society today and helping others, starting a new life," concluded Kubataev.
