On March 30, the International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF) held a charity event for children in Terter region of Azerbaijan. The action was organized with the participation of specially invited guest Philip Roche, representing the British School in Baku. On behalf of the organization, the event was attended by President of the Fund Umud Mirzayev, Vice-President Ramil Azizov, Assistant to the President, Political Analyst Anastasia Lavrina, and Project Coordinator Chingiz Rakhmanov The event was also attended by a representative of the administration of Terter region and teachers from various schools. After a visit to Hesangaya village and meeting with local residents, the participants gathered at the IEPF Vocational Training Center in Terter.

About 100 children of different ages took part in the action, most of them children of refugees and IDPs from Shikharkh and Hesangaya villages, as well as from a special camp for refugees, affected by the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In addition, the children-participants of the AYAP program (Azerbaijan Youth Advocacy Program), being implemented by the IEPF in collaboration with the UNICEF Office in Azerbaijan aimed at youth development in the war-affected regions.

IEPF President Umud Mirzayev opened the event and welcomed the participants. He noted the importance of the event and cooperation with the British School in Baku, aimed at improving the educational development of children.

“In the war, children, women and the elderly suffer the most. That is why in our projects we always pay special attention to support these parts of the population. This is not our first meeting with you and once again, I want to say that education plays a very important role in life. Together with the British School, we are focused on the development of education in the region, especially English language. All of you, young people, are the future of our country and we must do everything possible for your development”, Umud Mirzayev said.

“I am very impressed with this trip to the war-affected region of Azerbaijan. Everything I see here is very sentimental, but most of all I am amazed and at the same time glad to see the desire of these children to improve their skills, study and move forward”, Philip Roche said.

Assistant to the IEPF President Anastasia Lavrina told about her experience and how education played a vital role in her career.

“This is not my first trip to Terter. I love to come here because I see myself in you. I grew up in Lok- Batan settlement of Karadag district. As a schoolgirl, I believed that a good education and belief in success can lead me to the victory. And I was right. Strong education has opened many doors for me and today I say with confidence that the efforts will never be in vain. I believe in your success and in your achievements”, Anastasia Lavrina said.

A representative of the administration of Terter region Ilgar Gasimov said:

“Despite the fact that these children live in the war-affected region of Azerbaijan, not far from the contact line, and every time they are afraid when they hear the explosions of bombs, they do not lose hope for peace. The work of IEPF, aimed at helping and supporting these children, makes an invaluable contribution to their development.”

Answering the questions, the children stressed that they are very interested in learning English and will be happy to become a part of the program initiated by IEPF and the British School.

“If there is a goal and a desire, then there is no need to pay attention to the difficulties, they always exist, but they lead to success,” schoolgirl from Shikharh village said.

The children were given bags of clothes and toys, specially collected by the IEPF, students of the British School in Baku, students of ADA University and members – international students from Baku International Students Organization "BISO".

After that, several joint photos were taken.