BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 19. Leyla Aliyeva has
visited several social and cultural institutions in Addis Ababa,
the capital of Ethiopia, Trend reports.
She first visited the Berhan Blind Boarding Secondary School.
Built under the initiative and patronage of Ethiopia's First Lady,
Zinash Tayachew, the school serves over 300 visually impaired
students from grades 9 to 12, selected from across all regions of
the country. Adapting the national curriculum to meet the specific
needs of its students, the school utilizes Braille, audio
resources, and computer screen-reading technology. In addition to
core academic subjects, students receive specialized training in
Braille literacy, orientation and mobility, life skills, music,
handicrafts, and computer proficiency. By integrating academic
learning with practical vocational skills, the Berhan Blind
Boarding Secondary School empowers its students to succeed in
higher education and prepares them for independent, productive
lives in society.
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Leyla Aliyeva subsequently visited the Lenegewa Women’s
Rehabilitation and Skills Development Center.
Launched by the Mayor of Addis Ababa, Adanech Abiebie, the
center is dedicated to transforming the lives of nearly one
thousand women who have experienced homelessness or survived human
trafficking. The facility is a comprehensive complex of 13
buildings that include modern classrooms, residential dormitories,
vocational workshops, and specialized wings for psychological and
medical support.
Women at the center undergo intensive three-to-six-month
vocational programs designed to facilitate their entry into the
workforce.
These courses range from computer literacy and electronics to
textile manufacturing, catering, and beauty services, all aimed at
maximizing each participant's economic potential.
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The visit concluded with a tour of the National Palace of
Ethiopia.
The palace embodies the legacy of the country’s monarchs and the
unyielding spirit of its people. Its history is closely intertwined
with the stories of power, tradition, and modernity that have
shaped the nation over the centuries. Built in 1955 to mark the
Silver Jubilee of Emperor Haile Selassie, the palace was presented
to him as a gift by his wife, Menen Asfaw. Designed by Italian
architect Raffaele Petrone, the building combines local
architectural motifs with international styles, reflecting the
country’s cultural diversity and global connections.
The museum features the emperor’s rich automobile collection, as
well as the palace complex adorned with fountains, sculptures, and
lush greenery.
