Zhenatova Anara, 27, Talshik village
Talshik is the center of Akzhar district, North-Kazakhstan region. The population is about three thousand people. There’s a bank, a hospital, two schools, an education department, police station, and Kazakhtelecom. We’re lucky to live in a border area, 200 kilometers away from Omsk. I travel to Omsk three times a year, as I’ve got many relatives there. I like it, it’s hospitable and friendly with all the beautiful and old architecture.
Our Akzhar region closely cooperates with Russia. Our people carry gravel there, but the thing is that it badly affects our roads. Villagers often go to Russia, Omsk especially, as some household appliances can be purchased there much cheaper than in Kokshetau. Besides, there we have a wide.
Tele2 mobile service is used in Aksara village. There’s a Russian village of Ekaterinoslavka in 3 km from Aksara, where villagers periodically purchase some things. The prices are acceptable, and sometimes cheaper. We can exchange money at a favorable rate, stores sell both Kazakhstani and Russian products.
I work as a teacher at a local school. There’re two of them – a Kazakh and a mixed one. Many students prefer Russian education, and at least five graduates a year enter Russian universities such as OmSPU, OmSTU and the Medical College.
Undoubtedly, I do love my village. But I would move to Omsk, if I had a chance. I dare say I’m a patriot of two countries.
Beisenova Aigerim, Aksary village
Our village is located in the Akzhar district of the North-Kazakhstan region. It used to be a huge state farm, but these days people are constantly leaving it and there’re only about 53 houses left. I’ve been living in Aksara since December, 2009. I come from Russia, Omsk region, Sherbakul district, Kuduk-Chilik village. I came here to my sister's birthday and married! I’ve been living here since then.
The frontier is stretched out with barbed wire, which made it easier for the shepherds to work, as cattle used to go to the Russian territory. In case cattle weren’t turned back in time, shepherds had to pay fines.
We have no large stores, except the one near the post office, and a few small ones at homes. Rubles are rarely used. Also, we use Russian mobile services such as MTS or Tele2, as we aren’t far from Ekaterinoslavka which has two mobile towers there. Kazakhstan's Beeline mobile service connection works bad in the village.
Food’s more expensive than in other regions, so many people buy food in the district center. Akzhar’s (Kazakhstan) and Sherbakul’s (Russia) residents can travel to the other country on Mondays, while the border is open from 10 am to 5 pm. My husband goes to Sherbakul to buy some food and some stuff for car. My mom and sisters live in Omsk, we visit them only on vacation or on holidays or weddings.
Although there’re few children in school, teachers and staff aren’t enough. Few people want to work in the village, so parents and children are forced to move when teachers leave. There aren’t enough work places in our village and people have to deal with the cattle raising mainly.