For the best part of two
decades, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva and her husband, businessman Timur
Tillyaev have been running one of Uzbekistan’s most celebrated foundations
– You Are Not Alone. Having both grown up in the country,
they were no strangers to the challenges faced by poor families there.
They were determined to
do something about it. Recognizing that more was needed than simply the writing
of checks, they took a hands-on approach. Initially, Lola Karimova and Timur
Tillyaev focused on supporting orphanages. Across Uzbekistan,
institutions were able to enhance the quality of their care and upgrade their
infrastructure thanks to this generosity. Lola Tillyaeva says their goal
was to “ensure that vulnerable children grow up in a caring and loving
environment”.
On hearing about the
grave challenges faced by the State Perinatal Centre in Tashkent, You Are Not Alone took
action. New pieces of equipment such as; x-ray systems, cardiac monitors and
ultrasound machines were provided. It must have been profoundly moving to see how
this assistance impacted the well-being of new moms and their new-borns.
As their expertise grew, Lola Karimova and Timur Tillyaev were able to reach out
and form partnerships to help deliver more specialised care. Teaming up with
the French NGO, Associaiton La Chaîne de l’Espoir
(Chain of Hope), You Are Not Alone has been
able to provide needy Uzbeks with top quality treatment for those with chronic
cardiac complaints. Lola Karimova and Timur Tillyaev’s
intervention has enabled patients to be seen by the best specialists available,
whether they be Uzbek or foreign. This includes having kids flown for treatment
to international hospitals. So far, the partnership has seen over 130 Uzbek children receive life-saving cardiac surgery.
(https://www.lolakarimova.com/about-the-foundation). But providing
life-changing access to health care is only half of their mission.
As Lola Tillyaeva explains, “Education is
at the heart of everything the You Are Not Alone foundation does,”
(http:// timurtillyaevtimurtilliaev.over-blog.com/you-are-not-alone-foundation-timur-tillyaev-lola-karimova). To this end, the
foundation has funded the education of thousands of disadvantaged Uzbek kids.
No fewer than 240 have also been supported all the way through university. Lola
Karimova’s organization is having great success in helping the young of
Uzbekistan turn their life chances around.
It is no surprise then
that Lola’s deep and enduring commitment has drawn attention. Recently, she
took home the prestigious Fashion 4 Development award at the 9th
Annual First Ladies luncheon in New York. In Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva
they see someone who is dedicated to “supporting
the UN Millennium Development Goals and ‘Every woman, Every child through
education, empowerment, enhancement and enrichment,” (http://www.fashion4development.com/aboutf4d).
On
receiving the award Lola Tillyaeva said;
“It is a great honour for me
to be the recipient of this award that recognises not only my efforts but also
the efforts of other people who are committed to safeguarding the health of our planet. Fashion 4 Development,
thank you for the immense work you have
been doing for the future of our planet, for your strong commitment to creating the sustainable world,” (https://www.lolakarimova.com/news/lola-karimova-tillyaeva- receives- fashion-4-development-leading-lady-award).
In this
way, Lola Karimova and Timur Tillyaev are
living up to their foundation´s charter of giving the disadvantaged youth of
Uzbekistan the tools to help themselves.
