| Description |
In the quiet Kazakh village of Zhosaly, the threads of tradition, resilience, and love are being woven together—one knot at a time. At the heart of this story is Bakytgul Raimbaeva, a mother whose personal struggle with her daughter’s illness led to the creation of something extraordinary: “Ansagan,” a school of traditional Kazakh folk crafts for children with disabilities.
What began in 2007 with just four girls—including her daughter Ansagan, who had been diagnosed with a painful and incurable skin condition—has grown into a life-changing creative community of more than 130 students. Children who once felt isolated and hopeless now find joy, purpose, and healing through the ancient art of carpet weaving, korpe-making, and felting. Here, they learn to create with their hands, share laughter, and rediscover strength they never knew they had.
Guided by the belief that every thread carries emotion and intention, Bakytgul teaches not just a craft but a philosophy: weave only with positive thoughts, and your creation will carry healing energy. With carpets made using traditional Kazakh methods and designs—like ornék looms, tekemet rugs, and sacred motifs—this grassroots school revives and preserves centuries-old techniques once passed from grandmother to granddaughter.
Among the pupils are teenagers like Kuralai and Inkar, who have mastered complex weaving skills and find pride in their cultural roots. But at the heart of it all remains the story of a mother's devotion. Miraculously, two years after the school was born, Bakytgul witnessed the impossible—her daughter Ansagan stood up and walked again.
Today, “Ansagan” is more than a workshop—it's a sanctuary of cultural revival, inclusion, and hope. Supported by the village and driven by a passionate mission, Bakytgul continues to teach, inspire, and heal through craft, proving that folk art is not just a legacy of the past, but a force for transformation in the present. |
