Hello from Baku,

These past few weeks I have been spending time getting to know a local Charity, Community Shield Azerbaijan Baku (CSA).  They have asked me to become their treasurer as the previous woman moved out of Baku.  The women involved in this charity are all expat spouses. 

One of CSA's ongoing projects helps with the design and sale of craft items made by the Ramani Home for Young Invalids.  The women are paid on a per piece basis for the items they sew/embroider.  This helps them develop their sense of independence and self confidence. 

Over the years CSA has renovated therapy and computer rooms.  Recently, money was donated to Community Shield to fund a hair salon.  The building is a very old Soviet Building and is in need of many repairs including heating, electrical and plumbing.  We learned while we were there that the Azerbaijan Government is considering a full renovation of the building, so for the time being, donations to future projects are on hold.

The pictures below are of a few of the women invalids that do the sewing projects.   CSA purchased this new embroidery machine for the women to use.  They do custom sewing projects for many of the women in the IWC and have the use of the Community Shield sewing machines for these projects.  I am bringing home a few of the things they sew for the IWC that are sold to help fund on going donations to the Invalid Home.

One of the latest CSA projects is setting up a micro-finance program to enable these women to purchase their own sewing machine so they can create their own business.  We are currently working on a micro-finance business plan and contract.  Anyone with any knowledge in this area they would like to share would be greatly appreciated.  The cost of a new sewing machine is about 200 Manat and the cost of an embroidery machine is 800 Manat.

The woman in the gray jacket came to the home with us to see if they could do a sewing project for her.  She is expecting a baby and is in need of small gift for people coming to see the baby.  A custom in her home country, Turkey.

Darshana, in the blue, is an expat wife and has been helping to design the items that the invalid women sew. She buys fabric in the states and brings it to Azerbaijan for the sewing projects.  They are showing the new tea cozy's they are making.  Darshana has been in Baku for 2 years and will be going home in a year or so.  This is one of the challenges with this Charity - finding others to take over these jobs.

The other project I recently visited was the School for Deaf Children.  This is one of 3 Deaf Schools in Baku.  Each school has about 300 students ranging in age from 5-18.  About half of the students live at the school.  CSA has done many renovations to their building as well.  They are hoping to find sponsors to begin renovating the school's gymnasium.  Below are some pictures of the students and the gym.

The man in the middle is with Rapid Solutions, the company that donated the funds to create and print these text books for the students.  The woman on his right, Ann Sutherland, is an expat wife that has been in Baku for 6 years and has been running CSA with Darshana the past few years.

 Dorm Room at the Deaf School for the Girls, renovated  by CSA and an anonymous donor

 Classroom at the Deaf School

 Lunchroom at the Deaf School

Kitchen Stove at the Deaf School

See the wiring under the stove.

 Pictures of the Gymnasium

And, after they showed us around, we had tea with the Director of the School

If you are interested in learning more about Community Shield, the Invalid Home, the Deaf School or any of their other projects, please check out their website: http://www.csabaku.org/index.html.

Last week I finally was able to meet up with Jackie Carpenter, a niece of my aunt and uncle's, living in Baku for the past year and half.  Turns out we both attended a party the weekend before, but since we didn't know each other we didn't meet.

Life keeps us pretty busy here in Baku.  We have met many fun people and are having a good time.  I leave for home on Friday for 5 weeks.  I am excited to see everyone, however, I am going to miss my new friends here in Baku.

So long for now.
Cindy
xxoo

Our week in the UK

Beautiful Garden in memory of some of the Soldiers Dogs
Overlooking the Sea at
Edinburgh Castle

February 14, 2011

Happy Valentines Day,

I was lucky enough to tag along on a business trip of Allen's to London. Just prior to leaving, I got together with the Friday morning Coffee Group and went to lunch afterwards.  This is a cute Italian Restaurant off of Fountain Square.

Lunch with the women at Olive in Fountain Square

And, I attended the local Baku Rotary Club.  The meeting was very interesting and I enjoyed meeting the members and learning about their projects and fundraising.  The meeting was conducted in English, which was a pleasant surprise.  True to Rotary form, they encouraged me to join their Club.

We left on Saturday, Feb. 5 and went to dinner with our friends from Denver, Rex and Charene Jones, at a little restaurant near their home in Holland Park.  In spite of our jetlag, we had a fun time seeing their home, their dog, Ozzi, and catching up on the family.

Charene and I got together with a friend from the American Women's Club of London that I met while in London in the fall of 2008, Kathy Lindroth.  I'm embarrased to say that our 3 hour lunch didn't result in any photographs - good wine and conversation!  We met at a cute restaurant near Hyde Park - The Pantechnicon Public House & Dining Room.

The following day Charene and I got together to do a little shopping.  We entertained ourselves for quite a while at Fortnum and Mason and then had lunch on the Marlybone High Street - near the location of the next Chipolte Mexican Grill in London.

Marlybone High Street

Although Allen had meetings, Sunday through Wednesday, we were able to take a couple of days at the end of the week and go to Edinburgh, Scotland, a first for me.  It was so beautiful and we were lucky to have blue sky and sunshine on our first day.  The Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace were amazing.  I loved Scotland and can't wait to go back and explore the different Scotch regions and continue our tastings.  Not sure I'm a scotch fan, however, it was fun to check it all out.

Our favorite restaurant in Edinburgh on the last night before flying back to Baku the next morning.

Angels & Bagpipes Restaurant
Edinburgh

And, the one thing Allen will most most of all about Scotland...................

..................the outstanding Scotch and the FREE samples.  One last free sample at the airport.

That's it for now.  I hope this note finds you all happy and well.  And, thanks for all the comments on my Blog.  I'm glad you are enjoying it. 

Cindy

xxoo

Latest from Baku, Jan. 31, 2011

Hello,

It seems easiest to create a blog for people to follow at their leisure and I can update as I have new things to share about our adventure here in Baku, Azerbaijan.  

Last week we had beautiful weather, a high one day of 50 F.  The weekend, however, was very soggy, but didn't keep us from exploring between raindrops.

The picture above is a view of Fountain Square.  This is the City Center and is right near our apartment.  There are many restaurants, shops and small markets in this area.  I really like a local Azeri Market.  There is an abundance of Butternut Squash, Potatoes, Yellow Onions, Lettuce, Lemons. and Pomegranats.  It is not uncommon to see people on the sidewalk selling these fruits and vegetables out of a burlap sack.

Below are pictures of the Old City which is adjacent to Fountain Square.  Allen walks through Fountain Square and the Old City on his way to the office.  Traffic and congestion is so extreme, it's much faster to walk when the weather is nice.  The office is about a 15 minute walk and by car at the end of the day it's about a 40 minute drive.

 The original Gate to the Old City  The Old City is a World Heritage site and has a nice walking tour.

A view up one of the streets in the Old City.  There are little shops in the old buildings that sell everything - carpets, throws, scarves, and junky trinkets.

This is a Tea House or Cafe situated inside the Old City built up against the wall around the City.  I haven't tried the local food from these Cafe's.  Choni, our driver, tells us it's not good. We may have to try for ourselves.

The City is very clean.  You see women out sweeping at all times of the day. The brooms are made from old branches and tied together. I have yet to find an area that is dirty with litter.  It is difficult to keep everything clean as the construction here is unbelievable.

This is a picture from the Airport Bazaar.  It is about 20 minutes out side of Baku and we went there to get things we needed for the kitchen - mixing bowls, wooden spoons, etc. For the record, we made no purchases as this booth!  The Bazaar is huge. We only went to this one section.  I am going back on Wednesday with some friends and I am hoping to see some of  the other areas .  I understand the Bazaar has just about everything.

We recently had a holiday for Martyrs' Day, Jan. 20, the Anniversary of the Red Army's massacre of Baku civilians in 1990.  There is a beautiful Park that sits up high above the bay that has a beautiful memorial to the people that died in this attack - I think 146 people were killed in 1990.  My camera died so I have no pictures today.

Allen left town this morning by plane to visit the Mine outside of Ganja near the border of Georgia.  It's a short flight, however, due to airline schedules he won't be home until tomorrow afternoon.  We are going to London on Friday and will be gone for just over a week.  We are tagging on a visit to Edinburgh, Scotland at the end of his London business.  We are looking forward to seeing some friends that now are living in London.

That's it for now.  My best to everyone.  I miss you!

Cindy
xxoo