My Personal Story & Blogs
The Journey Started With Crafted carpet
Growing up in deep poverty, with limited resources and societal expectations shaped by traditions like bride kidnapping and deep corruption in the education system, I did not believe higher education was within my reach. My grandmother, who raised me, began preparing my dowry two years before I graduated high school, anticipating that I, like thousands of other girls in our country, might be kidnapped by a suitor from the village and forced into marriage. For many girls, this marked the end of their aspirations.
Everything changed when I discovered my passion for learning and began participating in subject Olympiads in the 9th grade. By my final year of high school, I had won at the national level, earning the right to study at one of the best universities in the country with a full scholarship and no entrance exams. However, my family could not afford the cost of travel. In a selfless act of love, my grandmother decided to sell the dowry she had so carefully prepared for years — beautifully crafted Kyrgyz carpets woven by her own hands.
From the day my grandparents sent me to the capital, I began to believe in dreams and rely on myself. Yet, I never stopped my relentless pursuit of finding a place where I could belong and continue learning. I chose the Faculty of International Cultural Communication at the university, focusing on Turkish studies. In my first year, I worked nights at a local primary school, cleaning classrooms to support myself.
Starting journalism in age 18
By my second year, my faculty arranged a language internship at the international newspaper Zaman — a Turkish media outlet in post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan in 2000, with a modern newsroom equipped with computers, a rarity at the time.
After just two weeks of my internship, the editors recognized my potential and offered me a part-time correspondent position. It was there that I began shaping myself into a professional journalist. I covered high-profile global events, including the 9/11 attacks, the Afghan War, the Beslan tragedy, and the establishment of international cooperation organizations led by Russia, China, and the U.S. I also reported on the opening ceremonies of U.S. and Russian military bases in Kyrgyzstan.
While reporting on these significant political and international issues, I never lost sight of my mission to amplify the voices of those often unheard. I told stories of people who suffered from abuse and violence and focused on human rights, gender equality, and environmental issues.
Despite the demanding workload, I graduated from university with an honors diploma. Driven by my passion for knowledge, I applied for a master’s degree at Kyrgyzstan-Turkey Manas University, one of Central Asia’s leading graduate schools, hoping to pursue a career in academia alongside journalism.
Even as a top graduate student and a doctoral candidate, my passion for journalism never decreased. In 2006, I made the serious decision to dedicate myself fully to the field. Over the years, I have written thousands of articles and feature stories, hosted hundreds of radio and TV programs, and spent a decade anchoring live shows on Azattyk Media — the Kyrgyz bureau of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the leading media organization in the country.
Passion to human rights and investigation
My investigative reporting has led to significant legislative changes in Kyrgyzstan. For instance, in 2013, I began investigating the state of the children’s cancer ward in Bishkek. What I discovered was appalling: rampant neglect, corruption, and a lack of resources. More than 3,000 children under 18 were diagnosed with cancer annually, and around 80% of them died within a year due to inadequate care. There was only one doctor and three nurses for the entire ward, and essential medications were prohibitively expensive. Parents bore unbearable financial burdens while watching their children suffer.
Through relentless reporting, I brought national attention to these issues. My investigations spurred Parliament to act, resulting in legislative changes that made cancer treatment for children under 18 free. The children’s oncology department has since been transformed into a modern, three-story facility with dozens of oncologists working to save lives. The death rate among children with cancer has fallen to 30% — a dramatic improvement. This is just one example of how journalism can create real change
I have also reported extensively on the issue of bride kidnapping, leading a massive campaign against this horrifying tradition. My work contributed to legislative changes that now classify bride kidnapping as a serious crime in Kyrgyzstan. Thanks to these efforts, no young girl today has to experience the fear I felt growing up, wondering if she would be forcibly taken away and married against her will.
Throughout my career, a guiding principle in my work has been the importance of reporting in Kyrgyz. Language plays a vital role in shaping national identity, especially in a region like Central Asia, where the remnants of a colonial mindset continue to limit our nations’ full freedom. Language is a cornerstone of cultural independence.