Shahin Guliyev

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“Now, Shahin can freely leave home by himself and go to work, use transport, and go shopping. Our house is near the university, Shahin goes there in his free time, spends time with students, and tries to learn something new from them.”
Firangiz Guliyeva

A breath of fresh air: equal opportunities to integrate vulnerable children in Azerbaijan

Shahin Guliyev started attending the Centre for Inclusive Education and Child Development in the Agjabadi district of Azerbaijan in 2015 when he was 13. Shahin has Down syndrome, and, at the time, his perceptual, social, self-care and motor skills were those of a three-year-old.

Six years later, his social skills have developed to a level appropriate to his age. “I have always wanted Shahin to have friends and be able to earn his living,” says his mother Firangiz Guliyeva. “Now, Shahin can freely leave home by himself and go to work, use transport, and go shopping. Our house is near the university, Shahin goes there in his free time, spends time with students, and tries to learn something new from them.”

The Centre in Agjabadi district was set up in 2013 with the aim of expanding the opportunities for inclusive education for children with special needs living in the regions. Since 2018, it has benefited from UN support on community and family-based integrated social services.

Shahin, now 19, is an example to other children and their parents. “After coming to this centre, Shahin became a phenomenon,” says the centre’s coordinator, Rada Gafarova. “He is invited to many events as a role model. This was our aim when we first created the centre. To demonstrate that all people have equal opportunities and to make them feel that they are a part of this society.”