Azerbaijan International

Autumn 1999 (7.3)
Page 11

"Flight of Fantasy" for Kids

British Airways helping Azerbaijani refugee children
It was a dream come true for 60 children from local area orphanages when British Airways Baku recently treated them to a "Flight of Fantasy" over the Caspian Sea. The hour's flight took place on August 5 in a Boeing 767 aircraft.

British Airways and the flight and cabin crew volunteered their services to make this day so special in the lives of these young children. The day began with clowns and magicians entertaining the children as they checked in at the airport.

British Air recently organized a "Flight of Fantasy" over the Caspian Sea for 60 children from Baku's orphanages.

The British Airways team had been planning the "Flight of Fantasy" for five months with assistance from several local organizations including the International Women's Club.

The following day, a charity auction was held at the Hyatt Regency with assistance from Statoil, Deutag, Hyatt, British Bank, ANS TV and BP Amoco in order to raise money for local orphanages for projects that the International Women's Club intend to carry out. This club comprised of both Azerbaijani and international women adopted several of the local orphanages back in 1995 when the club was under the leadership of Anne Kauzlarich (wife of U.S. Ambassador), Elizabeth Young (wife of the British Ambassador) and Caroline Adams (wife of AIOC President). All these women have since left Baku but their legacy continues to be felt in the lives of these young children.

Many youth who are living in orphanages in Azerbaijan have lost one or more parents because of the Karabakh War. However, not all of them are orphans. Because of the weak economy since the collapse of the Soviet Union, some families are so poor that they put their children in orphanages for an interim until they are better able to undertake financial responsibilities for them.


From
Azerbaijan International (7.3) Autumn 1999.
© Azerbaijan International 1998. All rights reserved.


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