As parents themselves, Timur Tillyaev and his wife, Lola Tillyaeva have extensive knowledge of what children need to thrive. Back in 2002, the couple recognized that many underprivileged children in their native Uzbekistan do not have the environment required for thriving. This is where Lola’s and Timur’s passion lies; giving children a chance to thrive.
To support this endeavour, the You Are Not Alone foundation was launched in 2002. Lola Tillyaeva and Timur Tillyaev set themselves a simple but ambitious goal - to ensure that vulnerable children grow up in a caring and loving environment. Initially, the foundation supported existing orphanages across Uzbekistan by equipping them with improved facilities. As time has gone on and their expertise has grown, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva and Timur Tillyaev have been able to broaden the scope of their assistance. These days You Are Not Alone designs, constructs and outfits purpose-built facilities. In all their activities, Lola and Timur ensure that their assistance in Uzbekistan reaches far beyond the major cities.
They also support initiatives to provide health and education. One of their most well recognized schemes is the long-running partnership with the French organization, Association La Chaîne de l’Espoir (Chain of Hope). This collaboration has made it possible for more than 130 Uzbek patients to receive specialized treatment for congenital heart conditions. Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva and Timur Tillyaev’s aim is to make sure that children in receive the best medical attention possible.
One such beneficiary of the charity was Munojat Tulaganova and her daughter Madinabonu Ermatova. She recalled the moment she heard her two-year-old daughter whisper “Mama” as she came out of her life-or-death heart operation: “I was wild with joy,” she said. “It was a moment I never thought would come. I didn’t think I would hear her say ‘Mama’ ever again.” For the first two years of her life, Madinabonu couldn’t gain weight and she had no appetite because of a severe heart defect. Choking back tears, Munojat added: “Even the slightest physical activity, and she was out of breath. I prayed to God in those moments my baby would be able to run and live like other children.” ‘You Are Not Alone’ allowed that to happen.
The You Are Not Alone Foundation also provides funding to provide education to children from deprived backgrounds. Many of these kids would otherwise unable to attend primary and secondary schooling. As the couple explain it, “Education and providing better life opportunities is at the heart of everything the You Are Not Alone foundation does”.
In 2004, Lola Tillyaeva and Timur Tillyaev opened a second foundation to work in tandem with You Are Not Alone - The National Centre for the Social Adaption of Children (NCSAC). The objective in this case is to provide medical and financial support for children with disabilities and their families. The scope of support is comprehensive – including diagnosis, orthopaedic and neurological treatment, speech therapy and education. All of these services are provided free of charge. For Uzbek families and their children with disabilities this support is lifechanging.
Most recently, in 2016 Lola and Timur launched a new venture – The Karimov Foundation. Specifically aimed at supporting talented and ambitious students by providing fully funded scholarships enabling them to pursue their education at some of the best universities in Europe. Dozens of Uzbek students have been able to pursue post-graduate studies in universities in countries such as Germany, Russia and Poland. And on their return, they are able to contribute to Uzbekistan’s development.
In this way, though now living half a world away, Lola and Timur demonstrate their enduring love for the nation of their birth.
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