When did you join the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement?
I became a Red Crescent volunteer six years ago.

Why did you join?
My desire was to support vulnerable people even with small help. I decided to be involved into different activities of the national society, especially with handicapped children or people ill with blood diseases. For example, as long as blood donation project was started in Azerbaijan Red Crescent, meaning in 2003, I became blood donor and even could be called a regular donor to several people.

Where do you work?
Baku city, Azizbekov district.

What work do you do?
Volunteer in psychosocial support to disabled children and blood donor.

What has been your best experience as a volunteer?
I can mention two of them. First, my work in one of the orphanage house where I met with disabled and mentally ill children. I didn’t feel myself confident as I was not aware how to behave with them: what is wrong or right to do as they are really sensitive, their understanding is mainly on feelings’ level. Now I became experienced, but still learn and try to be careful and attentive. The other one was when I gave blood for the first time during one of the Red Crescent blood donation campaigns. I just wanted to go home, but stopped by one of those, who attended campaign. I asked whether this person also came to give blood, but the reply was that he is a recipient and ill with talassemia. He would like to express gratitude for saving his life. I was very touched; it is really an amazing feeling when you become a witness of real necessity of your assistance.

What are your hopes for the future?
My hope is that the Azerbaijan Red Crescent will have even more different projects for handicapped children both physically and mentally ill, which will help to bring them into the society, reveal their talents. I have noticed that many of them have different talents. Somebody can draw or dance others play games like chess or on musical instruments, but their talents should be developped. I also hope that the number of those who will have a desire to give blood and save lives will increase as the people whom we are giving blood are really in need and should be on the top of necessity. This "red liquid" is sometimes the only medicine for people with those hereditary diseases like talassemia and hemophilia. I am asking those who can do it: don't hesitate to provide your assistance as it will save somebody's life.