Nestan, a 12-year-old girl living in France with her family, was recently elected as a deputy in the Youth Municipal Council in one of the districts. Her father, Samat, shared her achievements.
Samat was born and raised in Baytik, Chui region. He graduated from Akmatbek Suinbaev School and then studied "Ecology" at the Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn. He began his professional career at the Bishkek Fire Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, where he worked as a fire safety inspector for five years, and then continued his career at the Environmental and Technical Safety Service under the government since 2012.
His wife, Ainura Sabyrbek, also from Kyrgyzstan, was born and raised in the village of Ton, Issyk-Kul region, and is a certified journalist who graduated from the Faculty of Journalism at the Kyrgyz National University.
Their family has four children: the eldest, Altai (14 years old), Nestan (12 years old), Aaly (10 years old), and the youngest, Ernak (6 years old), who was born in France. At the end of 2018, their dream of living abroad came true when they moved to France. "It was our childhood dream to get an education and experience to strengthen the family and raise our children in the future," says Samat.
Samat recalls his father, Kushbek, who was the son of a shepherd from the Talas region and, despite facing challenges, left to study in Frunze to provide a better future for his children. "We also aimed to give our children the opportunity to see the big world, although it was not easy: a new culture, a different life. We essentially started from scratch. But, thank God, we have now adapted. The education system in France actively supports children," he adds.
Nestan is currently in the 5th grade of college (equivalent to the 6th grade in Kyrgyz standards) and won the elections for the Youth Municipal Council of the city of Sommières.
The Youth Municipal Council includes students aged 8 to 18 who discuss city issues, propose initiatives, and participate in community projects. Their activities are overseen by the mayor and members of the municipal council, meetings are held monthly, and trips to Paris are organized to learn about the workings of parliament. "In France, there is no division based on nationality or race; the country's motto is 'Liberty, Equality, Fraternity,'" noted Samat.
Nestan not only excels in her studies but also actively participates in the sports life of the college, was elected to the organizing committee, and then ran for a position in the Youth Municipal Council.
"We are proud of our daughter. She has a strong character and discipline; she knows how to manage her time. Along with her studies, Nestan engages in athletics and is fond of sculpting and painting. She speaks not only French but also English, German, and Latin," her father shares with pride.
Samat emphasizes that their family places great importance on communication in their native language: "We support multilingualism, but we primarily speak Kyrgyz. Even though we live in French society, at home we return to Kyrgyz traditions, cook national dishes, and discuss news from Kyrgyzstan. Often, our compatriots ask, 'Do your children really speak Kyrgyz?'
According to Samat, the entire family retains the citizenship of the Kyrgyz Republic. "We hope that someday our children will return to their homeland and serve it. At the moment, we are accumulating knowledge and experience. I am confident that Kyrgyzstan will become one of the developed countries in the future," he says.
Gallery: A family from Kyrgyzstan lives in France. Nestan.
