Eng - UNDP in Tajikistan

DEVELOPMENT PARTNER PROFILE
NGO
Branch of "Operation Mercy " in the Republic of Tajikistan
Contact: Mr. Peter McCrindle
Acting Director, Operation Mercy, Tajikistan
Tel: 221-22-10 Fax: 224-70-50
E-mail: gimaeva@opmercytj.org
Website: www.opmercytj.org
Organization Profile
Operation Mercy Tajikistan (formerly the Central Asian Development Agency or CADA), an international humanitarian organization, was
established with a vision to work along side the peoples of Central Asia in meeting their needs. Incorporated as a Non-Government
Organization (NGO) in the USA in 1992, Operation Mercy Tajikistan began its work in Tajikistan in early 1993.
During the year 2006, however, CADA officially re-registered with the Ministry of Justice as the “Branch of Operation Mercy in the
Republic of Tajikistan.” Operation Mercy’s international headquarters is located in Orebro, Sweden.
In Tajikistan, Operation Mercy has established itself as a pioneer in information communication technology, English language training,
emergency relief and community development. While supported by donors and volunteers from across the world, Operation Mercy actively
promotes its policy to train and develop local staff.
Operation Mercy continues to be one of the longest-serving International NGO’S in Tajikistan and one of the most experienced development
organizations in the country with 14 volunteer expatriates and 24 local employees working in Dushanbe, Khujand and Khorugh. Until
recently, OMT also had Branch offices in Kurgan-Teppa, Kulob, Panjkent and Istrafshan. As part of OMT’S strategy to foster and encourage
the development of sustainable local enterprise, 3 of these operations were handed over to local NGO’S who continue to offer email/internet
services and courses in computer software applications.
Past and Current Programmes
This report will focus on the humanitarian activities of Operation Mercy Tajikistan around the Republic of Tajikistan in the areas of
Community Development, Information Technology, English Language and Small Business Development in 2007.
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
I . Community Development Program
Since May 1997, our Community Development Program has been working in several village areas, providing development opportunities for
the people of Tajikistan. Our Community Development Program worked in three regions: Regions Under Republican jurisdiction, and in
Sugd and Badakshan Oblasts of Tajikistan:
Community Health and Education;
The village training programs increase people’s capacity to respond positively to their experience of poverty and illness. Operation Mercy
seeks to raise community awareness of basic hygiene, disease prevention and health promotion; and to encourage village people to take
ownership of projects. These programs equip village people to become facilitators for further programs within their communities.
· We held HIV\AIDS prevention training in the Darvoz Region, Sagirdasht Jamoat, in the summer. More than 50 men participated in
our training. Other HIV\AIDS training was held in the Rudaki Region for high grade students in Schools#60, #57, Rasul Gymnasium in 2007
(for 150 boys and girls). We have two trainers; one man and one lady who teach boys and girls respectively. In spring 2007, we held
HIV/AIDS prevention training at the Dehmalik school and in two schools in Hissor region.
· Rural computer training was held in July 2007 in the Varzob Region, Takob, for students and teachers.
· Community Education Project worked in the Rudaki Region, Karakhon Sardorov Jamoat, teaching children how to respond before
and during disaster (for more than 200 children).
· Optical Work with Children in Khujand
During the period August-December 2007, Bodil Lind (Swedish Eye-nurse) has focused on:
1. Finding out what medical resources there are in the area of eye care in Khujand.
2. Developing relationships with optical professionals and finding out if cooperation is possible in the future.
3. Finding out what resources the opticians have in the city.
4. Eye-examinations of children in the Operation Mercy special groups for disabled children.
5. Developing teaching material about vision for teachers of the special groups.
Bodil Lind also exchanged knowledge concerning methods used at the eye hospital in Khujand and methods used in the west.
The doctors find themselves in a situation of being able to diagnose what is wrong with the patient but not having the means and resources for
treatment.
We have found that one basic need that children have is glasses. The eye hospital is willing to help measure and examine the children’s eyes
with objective methods, which requires medical eye drops. They are also willing to do regular follow up’s on children for which this is
needed.
OpMercy will be providing frames to the very small children as we have been unable to find frames small enough to suit them in Khujand.
2. Projects for Children and Youth:
Source: Aid Coordination and Project Monitoring System Database
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