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