Orkhan Azimov
REMOTE FROM EDUCATION
Azerbaijan
REMOTE FROM EDUCATION
This is Digo village in Astara region, Azerbaijan. In this remote village, home to 50 children, there is only one car and no school. As in all mountain villages, it rains most of the year in Digo, and in winter the village is covered with snow. Children from Digo have to go to school on mountain roads despite the rain and snow, trudging with their little feet through the mud and snow. Grandmothers take the youngest children to school in the neighbouring village. Sometimes parents send their children to school by car, paying the only driver in the village, which costs them dearly. Our hero Shindan’s school is his home and his teacher is his father. He has a bag, school diary, pen and notebook.
His name was given by his father Shirin, after the Shindan Mountain of the village. For three years, Shirin has tried to enroll his son in school every September. But because of issues with the paperwork, Shindan hasn’t been able to start. He is already 10 years old and he gets his education from his father Shirin. His father teaches him to read and write the names of objects from their yard: honey, box, frame, carpet, etc... However, the biggest problem lies ahead: Shindan has learned almost all the words from his father, and his father can’t teach him any more. The parents from Digo themselves failed to get a proper education, due to the mud and snow, and today they cannot teach their children more than what they know at home. Many young people from Digo have not received any primary education. And many are not able to find work as a result. In order to make a living, many carry drugs illegally from Iran to Azerbaijan across the Shindan Mountain and often get arrested. To have a chance in life, Shindan must overcome two Shindans: himself, and the challenges of the mountain that bears his name... For a future, not looking at life through prison bars, but looking down triumphantly from the summit…
Every morning, Shenlik takes his children to school across the mountain paths. Sometimes when the weather is freezing, they cannot go to school. Although Shenlik has his own vehicle, it is risky for him to drive there in unsuitable weather conditions. Yet Shenlik does his best for his children to help them keep up with their classmates, and teaches them whatever he knows at home.
Every morning, Shenlik takes his children to school across the mountain paths. Sometimes when the weather is freezing, they cannot go to school. Although Shenlik has his own vehicle, it is risky for him to drive there in unsuitable weather conditions. Yet Shenlik does his best for his children to help them keep up with their classmates, and teaches them whatever he knows at home.
A driver goes around the village and picks up pupils from their homes. He takes the children most of the way, but they need to complete the journey alone on foot.
A driver goes around the village and picks up pupils from their homes. He takes the children most of the way, but they need to complete the journey alone on foot.
Because there is only one vehicle in the village, only some of the children can take advantage of the car. The rest are either taken to school by their parents, or have to skip classes. Consequently, the majority of children in this village drop out of school and do not gain even basic literacy skills.
Because there is only one vehicle in the village, only some of the children can take advantage of the car. The rest are either taken to school by their parents, or have to skip classes. Consequently, the majority of children in this village drop out of school and do not gain even basic literacy skills.
Despite the cold weather, children are enthusiastic about learning. Some children insist on going to school no matter how challenging it is.
Despite the cold weather, children are enthusiastic about learning. Some children insist on going to school no matter how challenging it is.
The road to school includes many dangerous bends along the way. Sometimes, the driver asks the children to get out and walk while he tackles the most dangerous stretches alone, before they get back into the car and continue on their way.
The road to school includes many dangerous bends along the way. Sometimes, the driver asks the children to get out and walk while he tackles the most dangerous stretches alone, before they get back into the car and continue on their way.
Shindan and his sister cannot go to school. However, they have very basic school items such as a schoolbag, a school diary, a notebook and pens. These limited items give those school-deprived children a sense of belonging to education.
Shindan and his sister cannot go to school. However, they have very basic school items such as a schoolbag, a school diary, a notebook and pens. These limited items give those school-deprived children a sense of belonging to education.
Education is a privilege in Shindan's village. His young brother and sister observe Shindan with admiration while he does his homework.
Education is a privilege in Shindan's village. His young brother and sister observe Shindan with admiration while he does his homework.
Because Shindan’s father does not have a strong educational background, he knows a very limited amount of words and grammatical rules. As seen in the picture, the words written by Shindan's father in red contain a lot of grammatical mistakes.
Because Shindan’s father does not have a strong educational background, he knows a very limited amount of words and grammatical rules. As seen in the picture, the words written by Shindan's father in red contain a lot of grammatical mistakes.
After doing his homework, Shindan helps his father in household chores and gardening work, and then has a rest during the day.
After doing his homework, Shindan helps his father in household chores and gardening work, and then has a rest during the day.
This is a a picture of Shindan and his family. However, his mother is not seen in the photo. In some regions of Azerbaijan, especially in remote mountainous areas, women do not appear when an unknown male guest visits the home.
This is a a picture of Shindan and his family. However, his mother is not seen in the photo. In some regions of Azerbaijan, especially in remote mountainous areas, women do not appear when an unknown male guest visits the home.
Children gather in front of a designated house to wait for the car to go to school.
Children gather in front of a designated house to wait for the car to go to school.
After finishing his homework, Shindan herds animals and helps his parents.
After finishing his homework, Shindan herds animals and helps his parents.
The road to school includes many dangerous bends along the way. Sometimes, the driver asks the children to get out and walk while he tackles the most dangerous stretches alone, before they get back into the car and continue on their way.
The road to school includes many dangerous bends along the way. Sometimes, the driver asks the children to get out and walk while he tackles the most dangerous stretches alone, before they get back into the car and continue on their way.
Every day, Shindan does the tasks assigned by his father and then helps with the housework.
Every day, Shindan does the tasks assigned by his father and then helps with the housework.
Shindan writes the words his father teaches him.
Shindan writes the words his father teaches him.
Because of the mud and snow, a grandmother carries her grandson on her back to school.
Because of the mud and snow, a grandmother carries her grandson on her back to school.
A general view of Digo village.
A general view of Digo village.
About Orkhan Azimov
Orkhan Azimov is an Azerbaijani photographer. He was born in Baku in 1986 and has been working as a professional photographer for 10 years. Many of Azimov’s photos have been used in the local and international media, including the Washington Post, Bloomberg, Associated Press, The Times, The Guardian, and the New York Times.
Orkhan Azimov was awarded an Honorary Degree of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan. He has taken photos in Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Hungary, Italy and Syria. In 2016, on the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, he went to Chernobyl, Ukraine, and illustrated the aftermath of the accident, with an exhibition of his work. In 2019, Orkhan Azimov went to Aleppo, Syria and shot everyday life after the war and the tomb of the prominent Eastern poet Nasimi, which were later shown in his exhibition “The Lost City and the Tomb of Nasimi”. Photos taken by Orkhan Azimov have received awards in many countries.
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