Almaty resident Kamila Kassymova turned 101 on May 16. The video of the centenarian on social media amazed many. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.

A Sputnik Kazakhstan correspondent interviewed the grandmother who sparked public interest. Kamila apa, whose life of hard work from a young age has become an example for many, still engages in handicrafts.

"I herded sheep and cows, was a milkmaid, and mowed hay. I am a laureate of international handicraft masters. I still knit — faster than anyone, more beautifully than anyone," she says.

Kamila apa has performed the great hajj three times. She still does not miss the five daily prayers.

"The war began when I was ten. I have three books of poetry and one book of prose. I know everything that happened in my life from the age of four, I have forgotten nothing. In 1928, because my father was rich, our property was confiscated. I know everything that happened then, what events took place. I was four years old then," the grandmother says.

Kamila apa fully memorized the Quran in just two months at the age of 82.

"In 2012, a competition called 'Beautiful Mother' was held in Turkey. Our Turkish brothers showed respect and presented their cups. Later they made a film about me called 'Mother of Mothers' and show it in Turkey," says Kamila Kassymova.

She was also a member of the World Writers' Union.

"The poems of 28 poets from Kazakhstan were selected and included in the book 'Anthology of World Writers.' Medals were awarded to three people, one of them is me," the grandmother says.

Kamila Kassymova spent most of her career as an accountant in a tractor brigade. She moved to Kazakhstan from Russia. In 1970, she got a job as a seamstress at a sewing factory in Esik. Later, the management, appreciating her qualifications, appointed her head of the quality department. She retired from there.

Kamila apa has four children, six grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

"I have four children, the eldest is a daughter. The eldest of my great-grandchildren is 37. I have 11 great-great-grandchildren, the eldest is in the fifth grade. I have a century of life, but not a single regret. If Allah gives me more life, I would live exactly the same way," she says.

The grandmother was widowed at 31. At that time, the youngest of her four children was only one year old. Today she gives advice to the younger generation.

"One should not get angry if someone says something. Do not take someone else's things without permission, do not cross their path. Another piece of advice I would give is to take proper care of children and teach them to work," says Kamila apa.

The elderly woman says there were many difficulties in her life. However, she does not want to recall those moments.

Kamila apa still has good eyesight and does not wear glasses. She stays close to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and helps them.

The grandmother's great-granddaughter named Danara recalls her care with special warmth.

"My two brothers are twins. Even my breast milk dried up, one..." her recollection begins.