American teenagers reach out to orphans in Azerbaijan

According to Washington Diplomat edition, the musical performance was organized by Karen O'Brien-DeBakey with help from her husband, George DeBakey, director of business development at E.J. Krause & Associates, with inspiration coming from their adopted 3-year-old daughter from Azerbaijan, Aysel. Proceeds from the benefit - which the DeBakeys hope will top $20,000 - will go directly to provide milk, fruit, diapers, recreational equipment and other assistance to orphanages in and around Baku, Azerbaijan.

The cast of United Kids of America, which is composed of nearly 40 singers and dancers from Upstate New York, spent six months rehearsing for their Kennedy Center appearance. The group also raised $18,000 to cover its own production, travel, lodging and food expenses so that all of the donations from the event could go straight to the Azeri orphans.

Anne E. Derse, the newly appointed U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan, praised the United Kids of America, which she said "represents the best of American volunteerism," for making the lives of young orphans "a little brighter."

"Good relations between countries do not always depend on good relations between governments," she added, stressing the importance of social diplomacy and "people-to-people ties."

That sentiment was echoed by Hafiz Pashayev - who recently returned to Azerbaijan following his retirement as Azerbaijan's ambassador in Washington after 13 years (see July 13 Diplomatic Pouch) - in a letter he wrote to commend the group for promoting U.S.-Azeri relations.

Guest performer Jeffrey Werbock kicked off the show by playing traditional Azerbaijani mugham music on the kamancha, a spiked fiddle instrument, which was followed by a heart-pounding array of music and dance numbers ranging from "New York, New York" to "Dancing in the Streets" that showcased not only the American teenagers' creativity, but their generosity as well.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Reno L. Harnish III poses with the teenagers in the United Kids of America song and dance troupe following the group's performance at the Kennedy Center to benefit orphanages in Azerbaijan.

/BakuTODAY/