New kindergartens herald better future for children of Internally Displaced Families

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Two much-awaited kindergartens have been opened in the Internally Displaced Persons settlement of Takhtakorpu, Agjabedi district, in the lowlands of Azerbaijan, bringing a new sense of hope and community. Some 200 children enrolled in the two kindergartens finally have a safe and comfortable place to learn and be cared for during the day while their parents eke out a living in this deserted and often harsh environment.It appeared the whole community came out to inaugurate the kindergartens, together with the representative of the Cabinet of Ministers, local government, international and national non-governmental organizations, parents and others. 'It is such a wonderful day today. It helps us to forget our severe life and creates hope for the future of our children. Finally, we will have a good and safe place to leave our children during the day and someone will take good care of them', said Farida, mother of two pre-school age children. 'We can't wait for the opening of these kindergartens and sending our children there', she continued as the organisers of the opening ceremony entered the kindergarten yard. Following the cutting of the ribbon, the children pulled their parents inside the kindergarten, while marveling at the toys and equipment that will be available to them soon. Their parents were equally happy to see the wonderful facilities and clean beds, kitchen, doctor's room and toilets. World Vision's team in Azerbaijan also enjoyed seeing the result of their year of hard work and explained the significance of these facilities. 'It was one of our difficult, but very important and proud projects in this area. The parents had no place to leave their children when they go out to the field to work the land or take care of the animals. Also, the children had no place and chance to get prepared for school', said Mehdi Bakhshiyev, Project Manager with World Vision. The project was generously funded by the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM) with significant support and contribution from World Vision in the United States. 'I have attended many openings in this community in the last fifteen years. But today is special. We are opening two kindergartens today, two opportunities for hundreds of our children to get education and care', said the head of local government in his opening speech. 'What we do now, we will see the results after ten years, both rights and wrongs', he continued, thanking World Vision and BPRM for building the kindergartens. 'You can find such kindergartens only in a few places in Baku [the capital city]', said the representative of the Cabinet of Ministers to people after seeing the kindergartens. 'It is now your responsibility to maintain them, because they are for your children'. The two kindergartens have also recruited about 100 staff from among the families of children enrolled in the facilities to work in various capacities, which will also increase the income of struggling households in the area.-Ends-