A charitable initiative for the free collection of apples at a garden near Victory Park in Atyrau ended in destruction: 170 trees were damaged, and the irrigation system was broken.
According to the Telegram channel "HALYQSTAN", the garden, which had been cultivated by the deaf society for more than five years, opened its doors to residents so that everyone could pick apples for free. However, some visitors, instead of carefully picking the fruit, began shaking the trees, breaking branches, and trampling the drip irrigation system.
"We grew them from tiny saplings, they were barely a metre tall," says team leader Svetlana Tsoi. "Over five years, they grew and, in gratitude, gave us sweet and juicy fruit. We were genuinely happy that we could now share the ripe harvest with the residents. And… this is what happened. It's heartbreaking. Of course, we will fix everything — we will replant and treat them. But why do it in the first place?"
The workers from the deaf society intend to restore the garden, but it will take considerable time.
Unfortunately, such examples, where a free offer triggers irrational and even dangerous behaviour, are not uncommon.
For instance, in September 2022 in Kyzylorda, giving away free pilaf during the City Day celebrations led to a fight and a crush, during which one of the cooks was injured.
In March 2023, Kazakhs shared videos on social media of visitors at mass Nauryz holiday celebrations causing a crush in the queue for free pilaf and baursaks.
In one clip, a woman was shouting and pushing her way towards food in a yurt, believing it to be free. In another video, instead of taking a few free baursaks and sweets, people were piling the food into bags. The event organisers were also handing out pilaf in disposable containers, but some were scooping the hot dish into bags to take home.
In June this year, in Aktau, local residents caused a crush over free ice cream for Children's Day. On that occasion, several children got lost in the crowd and could not find their parents.
These events demonstrate how a thoughtless desire to get something for free can lead to physical and emotional harm, and bring fines and public criticism upon the organisers.