Aizhan Chynybayeva, a well-known eco-activist from Kyrgyzstan and founder of the "Hour of Cleanliness" initiative, shared with 24.kg her transition from the hotel business to ecology. She explained why the issue of waste is a matter of national security and recounted the most shocking event of her volunteer work over the years.
“People have come to terms with the garbage and did not believe in change”
— My journey began in finance; my parents wanted me to become an accountant. While working in banks, I realized that I couldn’t stay in one place. Eventually, I moved to the hotel business, getting a job at the Hyatt hotel.
There, we began organizing clean-up days: cleaning the area and planting trees. Later, when I opened my own hotel, my team and I started cleaning various places.
In the early 2010s, Bishkek was overwhelmed with garbage.
Aizhan Chynybayeva, coordinator of World Clean-Up Day in Kyrgyzstan
After concerts in the square, mountains of trash were left behind, and no one cleaned up. People claimed, “It has always been this way; nothing will change.”
But I realized that this is not true. There are people who are tired of the dirt, and once you start, dozens, and then hundreds, will join you. That’s how the “Hour of Cleanliness” was born.
[b]“Ecology is not an abstraction; it is part of our lives”
— It was previously believed that cleanliness and environmental conditions were the responsibility of the state. But now people are beginning to understand that it concerns them as well. Simple actions, such as turning off the water or sorting waste, can lead to real changes.
We are already facing a crisis: the incidence of cancer has increased by almost 40 percent, children suffer from allergies, and drought is destroying crops. This is not just statistics — these are our loved ones and acquaintances.
Business can play a significant role, but unfortunately, many limit themselves to symbolic actions. There are examples, such as an oil company that funds the work of divers at Issyk-Kul to clean the lake's bottom.
Every business could do something similar, not for PR, but for real ecological improvement. After all, without clean water and air, even millions in the bank won’t help — there will be nowhere to live.
[b]“The most terrible thing I have seen is human remains under the garbage”
— In 15 years of clean-ups, I have seen a lot, but one incident still stands out in my mind.
During an event at Issyk-Kul, while we were cleaning the shore, the guys suddenly stumbled upon bags — and inside were human remains. We immediately called the police and experts.
Fortunately, it later turned out that these were ancient bones, archaeological finds, but the first few minutes were a real shock. People stood in complete bewilderment on the shore — no one could believe it.
Aizhan Chynybayeva, coordinator of World Clean-Up Day in Kyrgyzstan
This was the moment when I realized that our land is not just a dump, but a keeper of history. We often treat it carelessly, forgetting that it holds the traces of our ancestors.
[b]“If I had a magic wand...”
— I would start with educational institutions. I would introduce an “hour of cleanliness” so that children learn to clean, sort waste, and understand the importance of resource conservation.
I would create centers that teach green technologies and ecological business. After all, caring for nature can become not only a source of income but also a means of preserving health.
Moreover, it is necessary for television and bloggers to actively cover ecological issues. This should become part of our culture.
Ecology is not just the task of activists, but the responsibility of each of us. We should not wait for the president or international organizations to come to our aid. Everything is in our hands.
Every Kyrgyz citizen can become an eco-activist — in their neighborhood or yard. If you see a factory dumping wastewater or someone throwing garbage into a river — don’t stay silent. Report it, film it, write about it.
Aizhan Chynybayeva, coordinator of World Clean-Up Day in Kyrgyzstan
When people come together for a clean-up, they not only clean the area but also change themselves. This is the strongest feeling that ecology gives — the realization that life has meaning.
Aizhan Chynybayeva
Public figure and founder of the "Hour of Cleanliness Academy" fund, coordinator of World Clean-Up Day in Kyrgyzstan. Over the years of working in ecology, she has united thousands of volunteers across the country and proved that cleanliness is not just a habit, but a mindset.
