OREANDA-NEWS. March 15, 2011. Bakcell, the first mobile operator in Azerbaijan, is proud to announce that as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program “Bakcell Stars” held the next grand event for children in need. The event jointly organized with United Aid for Azerbaijan (UAFA) was named “My colourful dreams” and featured drawing and photography exhibition and concert program of children with disabilities, reported the press-centre of Bank Bakcell.

About 60 children who participated in the Bakcell Stars and UAFA project shared their creative works with the audience of families and friends. Representatives of local and international child-assistance organizations, embassies, businesses and government came to support childen and get familiar with their art projects.

Ms. Pervana Mammadova, Head of Corporate Communications Department of Bakcell welcomed the children, their parents, teachers and guests at the event by saying that “Bakcell truly believes that all children deserve opportunities to realize their dreams. We are happy to support children with disabilities by providing them with an opportunity to create art and display their works, which is an important part of self-expression.”

UAFA and Bakcell has been implementing “Helping children with learning disabilities to communicate through the arts” project since February 2010. Within the frame of the project, about 60 children took dancing, drawing and photography lessons, which facilitated their physical, cognitive and social development.

Ms. Gwen Burchell, Director of UAFA thanked Bakcell for its support of the disabled children’s project: “Bakcell’s vision and support have helped to bring colour to many children’s lives, as well as providing more opportunity to help children with disabilities to participate in society. Bakcell is playing an active role in reducing stigma towards disability.”

At the end of the children’s event, Bakcell announced the launch of a two-week SMS Charity Campaign to raise support for the continuation of UAFA project. The SMS Campaign will allow Bakcell subscribers to donate AZN 1 or 450 contours by replying or sending a SMS to 1155 shortcode.

UAFA was founded in 1998 to provide specialized services for children with special needs. The main goal of the organisation is to improve service quality for disabled children and assist the government in deinstitutionalization reform aimed at reducing the number of children in state institutions.