Cooking and Baking Videos from Yurdum in Baku, Azerbaijan
About three years ago, a program was established in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, that provides a daily structure for approximately 15 adults who require assistance.
In this country, there is a relatively high level of commitment to children with special needs and challenges; some of this work is organized by NGOs and funded by the private sector. Public schools strive for inclusion, but due to a lack of professional training in this area, these efforts do not always result in successful outcomes for the children. In the area of early intervention, there are programs for children on the autism spectrum, but beyond that, there is almost nothing.
This makes it all the more significant that, as a result, there are no programs for adults. Zarema Jagizarov recognized this need and, with great courage, planted a seed. She, a retired physician, lives in the United States near Camphill Copake and has been there for 30 years; she has the bold vision of establishing such a community for adults in her home country as well.
The first steps have been taken! Committed individuals have been found, including two retired doctors, a very active partnership with a vocational training institution for education (where students serve as volunteers), and others who feel drawn to this place.
Relationships with political authorities have been established, though unfortunately this has not yet led to basic funding for the day center.
In addition, the staff – who work for very little compensation and essentially on a volunteer basis – are working to receive better training in anthroposophical social therapy, since a candle-making workshop and art therapy programs can be structured in many different ways!
Some staff members participated in the continuing education program at Alanus University (Germany) in cooperation with Step Together (Lebanon) last year; others took part in one or more offerings at the “Baltic Seminar”; and others completed internships. This is how we hope to continue…
Sonja Zausch from the section’s leadership team spent a week on-site in October 2027 and took up various strands: Who could do an internship where, how could digital continuing education programs be designed to address specific issues, and which people from the international network could be involved in shaping the future?
Appropriately, the current issue 3-2026 of our journal Perspectives features an organization portrait!
Last year, the organization received funding to produce an inclusive cookbook. The team members expanded it on their own by adding short baking and cooking videos. The result is wonderful – the videos are full of joy and color, and people can learn to cook and bake while also learning Aseri (a Turkic language)! Enjoy watching!