It makes it all worthwhile
Seeing these smiling faces drives home just how worthwhile the charitable activities of the Anglo-Azerbaijani Society are. $20,000 from the money raised by the Society at the 2005 Charity Dinner in Baku was given to "Community Shield", the charity which has been working on the Shuvelan project in recent years.
The Shuvelan sanatorium is home for around 35 children suffering from respiratory problems. The entire place had fallen into disrepair but the toilet, bathroom facilities and the classrooms were the worst. Thanks to the Society's contribution, Community Shield was able to embark on a $35,000 renovation and refurbishment programme of the whole site.
The cost of renovating the classrooms ($13,000) was met by the Baku-Irish Society, by funds raised by the Holycross and Klyeakin Football clubs, and by Netherlands trains, thus making it an Irish-Scottish-Dutch venture. The above picture is the classroom as it is today.
With the proceeds from the Anglo Azerbaijani Society's charity dinner held in Baku in June, the Society's donation of $20,000 specifically financed the toilet and bathroom facilities which underwent a complete overhaul. The building was in such bad shape that it was effectively demolished. This is what it looked like at the half way stage:
It now provides a superb shower room and toilet facilities next to the dormitory in addition to outside facilities for the summer time.
The Society is not in this for the applause, but the thank-you from the Shuvelan children and the smiles on their faces are enough to lift anyone's spirits. The image will sustain us in our endeavours to raise funds for more projects in 2006. Community Shield has approached the Society for support next year for a project to upgrade the kitchen in a home for blind people in Baku - $4,000; refurbishment of the toilets and washrooms in a sanatorium in Lokbatan for children with heart problems - $10,000; and an upgrade of as many of the sanatorium bedrooms as we are able to achieve for $8,000. We hope with the continued support of our sponsors and members, the Society will be able to help Community Shield and also support other charities working in Azerbaijan.
