On August 11, 2025, another Saturday was organized in the Al-Farabi district of Shymkent as part of the nationwide environmental campaign "Clean Kazakhstan". This initiative was undertaken to protect the environment, improve the city's territory, and form an ecological culture among residents. Residents of the district, employees of municipal institutions, teams of educational organizations, volunteers, and active citizens participated in the campaign, and significant work was done in one day.

During the weekend, the courtyards of apartment buildings, pedestrian paths, public places and green areas were cleaned. Garbage was collected and taken out using special equipment. In addition, sediment was removed from the ditches, trees and bushes were trimmed, and dead grass was mowed. All of these works contributed not only to the beautification of the city, but also to improving the sanitary conditions.

The Al-Farabi district akimat promoted a culture of cleanliness among residents, emphasizing that "everyone's responsible attitude to the cleanliness of their yard and street is the main guarantee of improving the quality of life." During the campaign, participants were provided with information about sorting household waste, recycling plastic and glass, and the importance of implementing environmental habits in everyday life was explained.

This 2025 Sabbath was somewhat different from similar events in previous years. For example, in 2023, the number of participants in the “Clean Kazakhstan” actions held in Shymkent was significantly smaller, and at that time Sabbaths were organized mainly only in the spring and autumn seasons. This year, the environmental initiative has become permanent and continues even in the summer heat. This indicates that the activity of residents is increasing, and the idea of protecting nature is becoming a permanent part of city life.

Another difference from previous years is the increased level of technical support. In previous sabbaticals, manual labor was predominant, and special equipment was rarely used. Several forklifts, garbage trucks, and lawn mowers were used in the 2025 sabbatical. This increased the scope of work done in a day and made the results visible.

Moreover, while in previous years participation in the Sabbath was mostly the responsibility of municipal employees and a few activist groups, this year schoolchildren, students, retirees, and local entrepreneurs also participated. The activity of young people is especially encouraging, as this is a clear sign of the passing on of environmental responsibility from generation to generation.

Compared to similar events held in 2024, the 2025 Sabbath has not only expanded in scope, but also enriched in content. Previously, only garbage collection and yard cleaning were carried out, but this year sanitary and educational activities have also been added. For example, during the campaign, special leaflets were distributed to residents about the economic and environmental benefits of waste recycling. In addition, mini-quizzes on environmental protection were organized for children.

If we look back at history, mass clean-ups in Shymkent have deep roots. In the Soviet era, the concept of "clean-ups" was often a means of promoting labor and collective responsibility, but in modern times it has become the main mechanism for forming an ecological culture in society. If in the past clean-ups the main goal was to clean up the territory on a visible level, today's goal is to form a conscious attitude towards nature among residents.

The 2025 Sabbilik in the Al-Farabi district was a clear example of positive changes in this direction. Here, not only cleaning work was carried out, but also educational work with the population was carried out. This approach will help ensure the long-term results of the environmental initiative.

In general, the "Clean Kazakhstan" campaign has become a major environmental movement today, encouraging residents of Shymkent to unite and join forces towards a common goal. Its main value is to show that the small efforts of each person lead to great results. If the work done within the framework of a one-day Sabbath immediately affects the appearance of the city, then the environmental habits formed in the minds of residents will become the basis for creating a sustainable and clean city in the future.

That is why the Saturday cleanup in the Al-Farabi district, which took place on August 11, 2025, is not just a cleaning event, it is a vivid example of environmental culture that has learned from past years and risen to a new level.