Born on January 2, 1979, in the village of Don-Aryk in the Chui district, she raises four children with her husband — three sons and a daughter. “My daughter is already married, the eldest son lives separately, and the second and third sons are studying in the 10th and 7th grades, respectively. I met my future husband on March 8 when he was working as a taxi driver. I stopped his car while returning from the market, and we started talking. One funny moment I remember: since we got married, he always calls me ‘Zhan’ [‘Dear’]. When my ‘abysyn’ (brother's wife) came to visit, she also started calling me ‘Zhan-Zhan,’ and we couldn’t help but laugh. I told her that my name is Kanykey, to which she replied in surprise: ‘Isn’t ‘Zhan’ a name?’” Kanykey shares her memories.
Her choice to become a teacher was influenced by her class teacher. “Teacher Asira had a huge impact on me. Her care and ability to guide me on the right path inspired me to become a teacher. I realized that this is a very honorable profession. Among the Kyrgyz, there is a saying: ‘A child's tongue is honey,’ and ‘A child's heart is pure.’ Teaching the younger generation is a great honor for me. This year marks 20 years since I started working in the field of education,” she says.
Kanykey graduated from school in her native village in 1996 and enrolled in the correspondence department of the Kyrgyz National University the same year, which she successfully completed in 2002. “A true teacher is not just a source of knowledge, but also a second mother, a reliable friend who always listens and shows the right path. For my work, I have received many certificates of honor, including a Certificate of Honor from the Ministry of Education and Science last year for Teacher's Day. I am grateful to the director of Lenin Secondary School, Zoe Likhuzova, for her support, as well as to the deputy director Cholpon Asanazhanovna, who inspires us to work hard. Diligence is the key to success, as they say: ‘Honest labor brings sweet bread,’” she notes.
Kanykey recalled a humorous incident that greatly amused her. “The laughter of my students is my laughter, and their sorrows are my sorrows. Currently, I work in the primary Kyrgyz classes at the V.I. Lenin School. Our school was originally Russian-speaking, and the Kyrgyz classes opened only five years ago. I am currently the class teacher of the fourth Kyrgyz class, where 12 children study. I always start the lesson in a good mood and with songs. One day, when I was feeling unwell, one of the students suddenly asked: ‘Teacher, what’s wrong with you? Are you in a bad mood? Did you have a fight with your husband?’ — and I couldn’t hold back my laughter.
Every class I have taught is special to me. Teachers take pride in the successes of their students. Future generations are the future of our country, and it is our duty to provide them with quality education and upbringing.
Everyone has their own goal. Without it, life would be incomplete. My dream is for my students to find their calling in the future and contribute to the development of the country.
I enjoy reading and reflecting on the aphorisms and teachings of famous Kyrgyz writers and akyns,” she adds.
