Alumni Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan Aizat Jakybalieva ’07 Recognized for her Commitment to FLEX

FLEX Alumni Coordinator (AC) Aizat Jakybalieva ’07, who works alongside with and coordinates the activities of FLEX alumni in Kyrgyzstan, was named AC of the Month for December 2008! The AC of the Month award is bestowed to the Alumni Coordinator who has exhibited outstanding professionalism in one or more of the following categories: conducting alumni activities, compiling of FLEX alumni successes, working with the media, and finding cost-sharing opportunities.

Aizat’s impressive dedication, her considerable volume of activities organized and the consistently high level of quality in her work with the FLEX community are part of what makes her this month’s choice for the award. Since her acceptance of the position of Alumni Coordinator in August 2008, Aizat has eagerly taken responsibility for Kyrgyz alumni projects, and gone above and beyond to be an innovator. Not only has she been the driving force behind the new Kyrgyz Alumni Website and Newspaper, but she has also been an essential motivator in establishing outreach events to children and the elderly. Aizat has embraced the opportunity to make a difference in her country and been a driven trendsetter in promoting volunteerism and an example to those around her.
Aizat’s communication skills are another of her key strengths. Her frequent sunny e-mails, which often contain motivational quotes, serve as a crucial link between alumni, not only in Kyrgyzstan, but also within the FLEX community across Eurasia. Through list serves and weekly updates, she consistently delivers alumni news to her peers’ fingertips and computer screens. Moreover, Aizat has taken a great interest in reaching out to the disabled. Her “Aiming High for the Disabled” initiative, the “Purple” segment of the Colors of FLEX 15th anniversary initiative, focuses on promoting awareness of equal rights for persons with special needs. Yet, Aizat’s concern extends even beyond the 15th Anniversary Initative. By organizing events like a “sports day” for disabled youth, running weekly English and leadership classes for children from the Association of Parents of Disabled Youth, and making visits to a home for deaf children, Aizat touches lives.
Recently, she has also been working extensively with a series of Bishkek homes for the elderly. Aizat and fellow alumni’s regular trips to spend time with the elderly include her import of a game she learned during her time in America: bingo. Bishkek alumni have taken Aizat’s lead, spending countless hours with older members of the community playing bingo, which turned out to be immensely popular among them. Residents of the homes frequently request return visits from the alumni in order to continue playing. Aizat has lifted the spirits of persons that might otherwise receive less attention, and included FLEX alumni in her quest to bring light, joy and a bit of entertainment into their lives.
This outstanding AC deserves the award for FLEX AC of the month for her excellence in uniting the alumni community, and acting as a positive driving force at its core.