By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Azemedia new logo
  • Home
  • COP29
  • Opinion
  • News
    • Economy
    • Energy
    • Climate and Ecology
  • Culture
  • Diaspora
  • Interview
  • Science
  • Logistics-Transport
  • Gender
  • History
  • Defense
  • Karabakh
Aze.MediaAze.Media
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
  • Economy
  • Climate and Ecology
  • Energy
  • Opinion
  • Culture
  • Gender
  • Interview
  • Science
  • Logistics-Transport
  • History
  • Defense
  • Karabakh
  • Diaspora
  • Who we are
Follow US
© 2021 Aze.Media – Daily Digest
Aze.Media > News > A breath of fresh air: equal opportunities to integrate vulnerable children in Azerbaijan
News

A breath of fresh air: equal opportunities to integrate vulnerable children in Azerbaijan

AzeMedia
By AzeMedia Published December 10, 2021 8 Min Read
Admin ajax

Six years later, his social skills have developed to a level appropriate to his age. “I have always wanted Shahin to have friends and be able to earn his living,” says his mother Firangiz Guliyeva. “Now, Shahin can freely leave home by himself and go to work, use transport, and go shopping. Our house is near the university, Shahin goes there in his free time, spends time with students, and tries to learn something new from them.”

The Centre in Agjabadi district was set up in 2013 with the aim of expanding the opportunities for inclusive education for children with special needs living in the regions. Since 2018, it has benefited from the support of the ‘Development of Community and Family-based Integrated Social Services for the Most Vulnerable Children in Azerbaijan’ programme, funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with UNICEF and local NGOs. The centre provides rehabilitation services not only for Agjabadi district, but also for children living in the surrounding areas, helping thousands of children to adapt to society.

The programme aims to create an environment in which more vulnerable, at-risk and under-served children and young people can access quality services, support and opportunities, developing Early Childhood Development community-based social services for children and youth friendly services across selected districts of Azerbaijan.

Admin ajax
20211208 img 4996 1024x683
20211208 img 4978 1024x683
20211208 img 4919 1024x683
20211208 dsc 4131 1024x683
20211208 dsc 4120 1024x683
20211208 dsc 4090 1024x683
20211208 dsc 4064 1024x683
20211208 dsc 3934 1024x683
20211208 dsc 3895 1024x683

In line with this objective, the programme recently also opened a series of community-based preschool training centres in Ganja city, in Garargah settlement of internally displaced people from Kalbajar district, and in the villages of Garavelli and Ranjbarlar in Agjabadi district. Working with trained mentors, these centres hold regular group sessions for children aged between three and five, providing services to some 100 children.

Four-year-old Kanan is one of those children attending the centre in Ganja. Kanan has been diagnosed with congenital microcephaly, affecting his ability to communicate, including speech delays. After just one and a half months at the centre, Kanan is now showing active socialisation and skills development.

Kanan’s mother Khayala says that before coming to the centre, he used to run away from other children, did not want to be touched, and did not even want to get up from where he was sitting. He couldn’t recognise fruits or vegetables. “And now I see significant improvement in Kanan after just one month. He knows fruits and vegetables, holds hands and plays games with children. It makes me very happy as a mother.”

Project manager Rovshan Novruzov says the community-based preschool training centres were set up in villages and settlements without existing kindergartens or child development centres. “There was a great need for these centres,” he adds: “We can really say they have brought a breath of fresh air to the communities.”

Sessions organised at the centres aim to develop skills and concepts in children, and include disciplines ranging from speech development and physical education, to arts and music, and the development of logical thinking.

1
20190414 img 2165 1024x683
20211208 dsc2605 1024x683
20211208 dsc2615 1024x683
20211208 dsc2716 1024x683
20211208 dsc2975 1024x683

Mentor Aynur Aliyeva is also impressed with Kanan’s progress: “Two weeks after coming to our centre, Kanan learned to communicate with children, share toys. He comes to our centre with great passion. We are happy for the positive changes in Kanan, and our aim is to help him integrate into society.”

Back in Agjabadi, Shahin, who is now 19, is an example to other children and their parents. “After coming to this centre, Shahin became a phenomenon,” says the centre’s coordinator, Rada Gafarova. “He is invited to many events as a role model. This was our aim when we first created the centre. To demonstrate that all people have equal opportunities and to make them feel that they are a part of this society.”

Ms. Gafarova adds that Shahin’s example acts as an incentive for many parents: “Within the framework of the project, extensive awareness-raising activities are conducted not only with children, but also with their families. The establishment of parent committees and the involvement of fathers in the development of children clearly demonstrates the important role of the family as a whole in the harmonious development of their children. We are proud to say that today the number of role model children like Shahin is growing in society,” says Ms. Gafarova.

Shahin’s mother Firangiz used to worry about having a child with a disability. Today, she is proud of her son: “Everyone in the district knows him, the police greet him with respect, and people love him very much. As a mother, I am very happy to bring my son to this centre. Now I am not worried that I have a child with a disability, and I am very happy to have a son who is as kind and appreciative as Shahin.”

The ‘Development of Community and Family-based Integrated Social Service for the Most Vulnerable Children in Azerbaijan’ initiative, funded by the European Union, is implemented in partnership with UNICEF and local NGOs that work alongside public sector agencies in delivering the broadest range of support to vulnerable children in the selected districts.

Euneighbourseast.eu

You Might Also Like

Major operation by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service: Terror suspects extradited to Azerbaijan

Aliyev and Pashinyan held talks

Iraq may consider Azerbaijani gas imports

PM Shehbaz thanks Azerbaijani President for support amid regional crisis

Azerbaijan’s capital welcomes the 3rd Contemporary Music Festival in May

AzeMedia December 10, 2021 December 10, 2021

New articles

Screenshot 698
Armenia will receive what Pakistan has already torn to shreds
Defense May 19, 2025
Photo 2025 05 19 16 30 15
Israeli Ministry of Defense: Hasanov visits Tel Aviv to strengthen cooperation
Defense May 19, 2025
852188 crop 0 4d7c0ea155120c8e
Major operation by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service: Terror suspects extradited to Azerbaijan
News May 19, 2025
Ebc096e48582a8f641737c2322eba732
Azerbaijan and Iran launch joint exercises on liberated territories
Defense May 19, 2025
Indiya kitaj
The Caucasus in the crosshairs: India militarizes, China invests
Opinion May 19, 2025
Trend suret qatari
Azerbaijan Railways launches new digital feature to enhance user access and security
Logistics-Transport May 18, 2025
Trend huqo qevara
United States remains a top destination for Azerbaijani students
Science May 18, 2025
2025 02 01 4 tamar gas field israel
Azerbaijan strengthens its positions in the Mediterranean
Opinion May 18, 2025
1697109803 307687950 5973742676020681 399519580479016507 n
Registration open for the 6th Summer Camp of Diaspora Youth in Khankendi
Diaspora May 18, 2025
China’s strategic pivot paying off in South Caucasus
Opinion May 18, 2025

You Might Also Like

852188 crop 0 4d7c0ea155120c8e

Major operation by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service: Terror suspects extradited to Azerbaijan

May 19, 2025 3 Min Read
Grefgdfxkaa zkk

Aliyev and Pashinyan held talks

May 16, 2025 0 Min Read
The iraqi flag flutters during the offic

Iraq may consider Azerbaijani gas imports

May 16, 2025 2 Min Read
17095547693006461827 1200x630

PM Shehbaz thanks Azerbaijani President for support amid regional crisis

May 15, 2025 2 Min Read
Img2024

Azerbaijan’s capital welcomes the 3rd Contemporary Music Festival in May

May 15, 2025 3 Min Read
B 122 800x445

Turkey–Bulgaria green energy cooperation and the strategic role Of Azerbaijan

May 13, 2025 24 Min Read
Ebrd 1

EBRD reveals economic prospects for Azerbaijan for 2025-2026

May 13, 2025 5 Min Read
Jeyhun Bayramov 271221

Azerbaijan, UAE FMs discuss strategic ties, regional security

May 12, 2025 1 Min Read

Useful links

426082d1 a9e4 4ac5 95d4 4e84024eb314 pojkz91103g6zqfh8kiacu662b2tn9znit7ssu9ekg
Ab65ed96 2f4a 4220 91ac f70a6daaf659 pojkz67iflcc0wjkp1aencvsa5gq06ogif9cd0dl34
96e40a2b 5fed 4332 83c6 60e4a89fd4d0 pojkz836t9ewo4gue23nscepgx7gfkvx6okbbkasqo
759bde00 a375 4fa1 bedc f8e9580ceeca pq8mvb9kwubqf6bcadpkq5mz16nayr162k3j2084cg
aze-media-logo-ag1

We are a unique political and socio-cultural digest offering exclusive materials, translations from Azerbaijani media, and reprints of articles from around the world about Azerbaijan.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookies Policy

Email: editor@aze.media

© 2021 Aze.Media – Daily Digest
aze-media-logo1 aze-media-logo-ag1
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?