Leon MITOUARD. From France to the Kyrgyz Steppes: My Winter with Chaar Appaloosa

Jan 12

Hello everyone! My name is Léon.

Freshly graduated, I chose to spend my winter not under the tropical sun, but in the heart of the vast Kyrgyz steppes, at the farm of the Chaar Appaloosa Association.

But how did I end up here?

My aunt has been supporting the association for several years, and my parents, who recently returned from a trip to Kyrgyzstan, passed on their enthusiasm for this beautiful country. So, when I learned that the association was looking for volunteers for the winter, joining the project became an obvious choice for me!

A lover of discovery, passionate about meeting new people and exploring cultures profoundly different from our own, this project seemed to align perfectly with my aspirations.

Before settling here, I embarked on a solo journey, traveling from France to Turkey using public transport. Over two months, I explored the streets of Slovenia, Bosnia, Bulgaria, and beyond, before arriving in the breathtaking landscapes of Kyrgyzstan.

Of course, this won’t be a vacation.

My role here is to take care of the Chaar horses while contributing to promoting French culture and highlighting the association’s projects.

Because Chaar Appaloosa is not just a farm: it’s an ambitious initiative that champions essential values such as cooperation, fraternity, and biodiversity preservation. It reminds us how much every species matters and how its disappearance can disrupt an entire ecosystem. It’s also an invitation to reflect on our history, our connection with nature, and what we want to build for the future.