Reports on Inclusive Social Cafe "FRIENDS"

Project Report | Jun 6, 2025
Workshops for young adults with mentsl disabilitie

By Lola Nasriddinova | IRODA Director

“Kitchen of Possibilities” — 6 Months of Inclusive Culinary Masterclasses

For the past six months, weekly culinary masterclasses have been held at the warm and welcoming Friends House café, designed specifically for young people with profound intellectual disabilities and autism.

During this time, participants have:
— Learned to cook delicious and nutritious meals
— Gained practical skills for daily life and future employment
— Developed independence, confidence, and teamwork abilities
— Received respectful, consistent support and tutor guidance every step of the way

Regular participants include:
Youth with disabilities
High school students and university students without disabilities who are eager to learn, communicate, and support each other.
This is more than just cooking — it’s a real school of inclusion, friendship, and mutual understanding.

‍ Inclusion means everyone matters — and we grow together.

Over six months, participants have learned to prepare:
— Caesar salad
— Chocolate cupcakes
— Pepperoni pizza
— Creamy lentil soup
— Chicken sandwiches
— French toast with cream and fruit
— Greek salad
— Pancakes with cottage cheese and sour cream
— Chicken soup
— Egg rolls
— Fruit salad

Participation is free of charge for youth with disabilities.

We are still looking for food bloggers and culinary partners who are willing to inspire our young people, share recipes, and lead joint masterclasses.

Cooking with love — acting together.
Together — anything is possible.

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Feb 6, 2025
Inclusive Awareness Events in our Cafe

By Lola Nasriddinova | IRODA Director

Open Friendly Events at cafe

Two inspiring events took place at the inclusive café "The Friend's House", bringing together people interested in inclusion, art, and personal development.

On January 31, we gathered for a lecture by Andrey Pashchenko, producer, director, and head of the inclusive art platform adamdart. Andrey shared his experience working on inclusive projects, having created over 20 performances and shows featuring individuals with ASD, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, ADHD, and other special needs. The project "Theater Emergency Service" sparked particular interest, as it makes theater accessible to those who cannot attend in person. The lecture attracted over 20 participants who discovered new perspectives on art as a tool for social integration.

On February 1, the café hosted Autism English Talks with Avicena.pro, where participants explored the topic of autism while improving their English language skills. It was more than just a lesson—it was a dialogue about global approaches to inclusion and the unique characteristics of individuals with ASD. Over 40 participants actively engaged in discussions and exercises, enhancing not only their language abilities but also their understanding of the topic.

Both events highlighted the importance of creating spaces for sharing experiences, offering support, and inspiring one another.

We are excited to announce the launch of new sections at our café, designed to make your time with us even more interesting and meaningful:

Inclusive Cinema: “Over a Cup of Tea” — Screenings and discussions of films about the lives of people with special needs.

Culinary Masterclasses: “The Art of Being Together” — Learn the secrets of delicious cooking while enjoying a warm, friendly atmosphere.

Meetings with Parents and Experts: “Change One Life” — Heartfelt conversations about supporting children with special needs.

Inclusive Blogger — Discuss how to promote the ideas of equal opportunities through social media.

Business Breakfasts and Business Lunches — Cozy gatherings to discuss social projects and initiatives.

Join us at "The Friend's House" to help build a community where everyone matters!

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Oct 9, 2024
Opening the Inclusive Cafe "FRIENDS"

By Lola Nasriddinova | IRODA Director

Opening workshop with food bloger at the Cafe

Opening of the Inclusive Café "The Friends House"
Dushanbe, July 25, 2024 — The public organization “IRODA” (Parents of Children with Autism Initiative in Tajikistan) is pleased to announce the opening of the new inclusive café "The Friends House," located at 38 Loik Sherali Street.

"The Friends House" is a unique place where every guest, regardless of their abilities or special needs, can find a cozy and friendly atmosphere, along with delicious food and baked goods.

Features of "The Friends House" Café:
Inclusive Environment: We have created a space that is accessible to everyone, including individuals with neurodevelopmental differences.
Diverse Menu: Our menu is designed to cater to a variety of preferences and needs.
Social Mission: We provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities, training, and supporting them in the workplace.
Cultural Events: "The Friends House" will host various workshops, training sessions, lectures, and cultural events aimed at promoting social integration and development. The café offers opportunities for presentations and provides accessible and delicious catering with full service.
Concept and Mission
"The Friends House" was created with the goal of supporting an inclusive society by providing jobs for people with neurodevelopmental differences and creating a space where all visitors can feel comfortable and welcomed. Our mission is to promote social integration and improve the quality of life for all members of society.The unique feature of the café is that all profits go towards funding various educational and therapeutic programs for children with autism and neurodevelopmental disorders run by the “IRODA” organization.

"The Friends House" is a rebranding of the social kitchen "DarYakZamin" by IRODA, which has been actively providing catering services in Dushanbe since 2016.

IRODA has been actively operating since 2011, with the mission to raise public awareness of issues related to autism and other forms of intellectual disabilities, advocate for the rights of children and adults with autism and other neurodevelopmental differences, and disseminate information about the challenges and needs associated with individuals with autism and NDD. The organization strives to achieve humane and tolerant attitudes towards our children, create favorable conditions for the full lives of children, adolescents, and adults with ASD and NDD, and ensure their right to education, employment, and an improved quality of life for individuals with mental disabilities and their families. IRODA promotes and implements modern, evidence-based approaches and programs, from early intervention to education and employment, whose effectiveness has been proven.

The concept of the café promotes not only inclusivity in society but also the principles of neurodiversity, which are based on recognizing and respecting the diversity of human neurodevelopment and ways of thinking. This approach emphasizes that neurological differences, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Down syndrome traits, and others, are natural variations of the human brain and hold value, much like cultural or ethnic diversity.
Equality and Respect:
All individuals, regardless of their neurological characteristics, deserve equal respect and rights.
Fighting discrimination and stigma against people with neurological differences.
Individuality and Uniqueness:
Recognition of each person's uniqueness and respect for their individual characteristics and abilities.
Treating each person as an individual, not as a bearer of a diagnosis.
Inclusion and Accessibility:
Creating inclusive communities that accommodate and adapt to various neurological needs.
Ensuring access to education, work, and public life for all individuals.
Focus on Strengths:
Emphasizing the abilities and strengths of people with neurological differences rather than their limitations.
Supporting the development of skills and talents that may be unique to each individual.
Support and Adaptation:
Providing the necessary support and adaptations for the successful integration of people with neurological differences into society.Developing individualized learning and work strategies.
Respecting the right of people with neurological differences to self-determination and participation in decision-making about their own lives.Involving people with neurological differences in the development and evaluation of programs and services that concern them.The principles of neurodiversity aim to create a society where all individuals, regardless of their neurological characteristics, can live full and dignified lives. This requires recognizing the value of each person, removing barriers, and creating conditions for development and self-realization.