Support Center Teaches Children, Teens Self-Sufficiency
In Azerbaijan, institutionalization is the only form of support offered by the government for thousands of children whose families are in crisis. Once placed, institutionalized children are effectively cut off from society and receive inadequate care. With few opportunities to experience and learn from ordinary day-to-day family activities, young people leaving institutional care have to grapple with the challenges of transitioning to adulthood far earlier than other young people. A lack of proper support poses great dangers for formerly institutionalized youth, who are at high risk for homelessness, prostitution, unemployment, imprisonment, and young parenthood.
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After cooking, Azerbaijani children enjoy eating the meal together in
a pleasant and relaxed setting
Photo Credit: Save the Children |
Given these challenges, USAID’s Children and Family Support Center in Shuvelan developed a three-month “Housekeeping Class” for nine girls ages 14-16 from urban areas. This initiative is a part of “life lessons” course, aimed at reducing the vulnerability of teenage youth and increasing their chances of leading independent and productive lives.
The class, which meets three times per week, teaches young people basic skills of cooking, cleaning, entertaining, shopping, budgeting and personal hygiene. They also received special training on kitchen safety and first aid. As a result, participants developed healthy eating habits and improved their communications skills and self-confidence.
“Here I have learned to do a variety of things which I didn’t know before, like making useful recipes and reading nutrition labels, the math of adding ingredients together and the science of learning about how different ingredients affect recipes,” says 15-year-old Esmira Shahkerimova.
During the mid-term evaluation period, the students cooked various Azerbaijani national meals for an external auditor and the CCSP Staff team, who were impressed by their efforts.
By building upon the independent living skills of Azerbaijan’s most vulnerable youth, USAID is investing in these children’s ability to build a better future for themselves and their families.
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