More than coffee: The taste of inclusive living at “Kashalata”
- 50 minutes ago
- 4 min read
From time to time, one feels the urge to step away from the noisy streets of Baku and head toward a quiet corner. To fulfill this desire, together with a few journalist friends, we made our way to one of the city’s first inclusive spaces—the “Kashalata” café.
To be honest, until we stepped inside, we hadn’t imagined it would be such a vibrant, life-filled place.
As soon as we walked through the door, we realized this was not just a traditional venue where people come for coffee. What gives people a pleasant feeling here and helps them forget their problems, even if only for a few minutes, is not just the aroma of coffee—but also the sense of hope and sincerity.
This visit, organized as part of a media tour by “Trendyol” to “Kashalata,” gave journalists the opportunity to get acquainted with this inclusive space and closely observe the daily activities and creative spirit of the young people working there.
For two years, “Trendyol” has been one of the main supporters of “Kashalata,” the first and only inclusive café in Baku, promoting the social integration of neurodiverse youth. As in all the countries where it operates, the company continues to encourage inclusivity in Azerbaijan through its social impact initiatives and supports the employment of people with disabilities.
The environment and atmosphere at “Kashalata,” the first inclusive café operating in Baku, are truly unique. What makes it special is that young people with autism have turned this place into their own safe and warm haven. Their warm smiles as they welcome guests, take orders, and provide service create an invisible energy—one of love and sincerity. The joy in their eyes makes visitors feel immersed in a pleasant environment they don’t want to leave.
The café’s founder, Aytan Eynalova, chairperson of the “Birgə və Sağlam” Public Union, shared with us that the “Kashalata” project was born out of a desire to support the integration of young people with autism into the labor market. According to her, the idea is also rooted in a personal story—her deep hopes and dreams for the future of her autistic child.
Ms. Eynalova believes that such initiatives are extremely important for the integration of people with autism into society. Here, young people not only learn how to serve guests, but also develop skills such as teamwork, responsibility, and social communication. At the same time, the project helps raise public awareness about autism.
She also told us the story behind the name “Kashalata”. She explained that when her son Hamza was very young and receiving special education in Turkiye, he used to combine the words “kaşık” (spoon) and “salata” (salad), calling all kinds of food “kaşalata.” Inspired by this, she decided to bring to life this beloved word she had first heard from her child.
During the few hours we spent at the café, it became clear that working here not only helps young people gain professional skills, but also boosts their self-confidence. The young staff take orders, serve guests, and work as a team, developing their professional abilities along the way.
Suheyla Jafarova, Head of Corporate Communications at Trendyol in Azerbaijan, noted that the activities of young people involved in inclusive employment at the “Kashalata” cafe are supported within the company's social impact program:
“Making a positive impact on people’s lives and creating value for society are among Trendyol’s key social impact goals. For the second year now, together with “PASHA Holding,” we have been supporting “Kashalata”. Here, several young people, including individuals with the autism spectrum, are employed and given the opportunity to develop their skills. Through this initiative, we support the integration of neurodiverse youth into society. The café’s main goal is to create jobs for people with disabilities and help integrate them into society through accessible employment. We are pleased to be able to support “Kashalata” in this work.”
Beyim Ibrahimova, a representative of the Corporate Social Responsibility Department at “PASHA Holding,” stated that the project has been met with great interest by society: “The young people working at the café have already gained economic activity and independence. The main goal of “PASHA Holding” is to contribute to society and see tangible results from these efforts.”
The most engaging part of our visit was taking part in the coffee-making process together with the young people working at the café. They were eager and happy to share their skills and demonstrate how they prepare coffee.
Another important aspect of “Kashalata” is the hope it provides to parents of children with autism. The café shows them that with the right support and a suitable environment, young people with autism can successfully participate in various areas of society.
“Kashalata” is now recognized not only as a social project but also as one of Baku’s beloved spots. Visitors come not just to enjoy coffee and pastries, but also to support the idea of an inclusive society.
Perhaps each cup of coffee served here may seem like an ordinary drink. But in reality, each cup carries the dreams of young people with autism, their steps toward independent living, and their hopes for integration into society. “Kashalata” is a quiet yet precious place where these hopes take root. Every visitor who comes here not only embraces these hopes but, in doing so, becomes part of nurturing them.
Source of the news: https://oxu.az/cemiyyet/qehveden-daha-artiq-kashalata-da-inkluziv-heyatin-dadi
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