Eng - UNDP in Tajikistan

DEVELOPMENT PARTNER PROFILE
· Provide tools for carpentry class and materials for repairing of desks and chairs
· Help schools offer short-term carpentry courses for the upper grade students
Microenterprise
· Hold a follow-up seminar (two days) and provide coaching for prior business seminar students (from technical colleges in
Dushanbe) to enable them to start or expand a micro business
Clean water
· Facilitate the use of water filters in at least two villages in the K. Sadorov Jamoat (Rudaki Region)
Plan for 2008 for GBAO
· Yak Wool Project - One important finding from the village family survey is that most villagers own sheep, goats or yaks but rarely
use the wool. A lot of wool is simply thrown away. Op Mercy hopes to conduct training and provide poor villagers with spinning wheels and
knitting machines. Currently, women use potatoes on sticks as simple hand-spinners. However, with better spinning wheels, their
productivity would be greatly increased. Similarly, knitting machines enable the production of knitted goods in a fraction of the time to do
the same work by hand. We would also like to explore developing felt making, introducing new techniques. Operation Mercy will act as an
important bridge between local production and marketing of those products, creating high-quality garments that can be sold to the local tourist
market and, in the future, exported. There is very little manufacturing taking place in GBAO and this project will help generate rural income.
· Wireless Internet Project - Initially, the focus will be on exploring the possibility and feasibility of providing affordable wireless
internet connectivity in Khorugh and eventually, throughout GBAO. The work at the moment is exploratory and includes looking at and
testing appropriate equipment and at the licensing and permission requirements of Government. If this research and development phase
shows promise, the idea would be for a local for-profit business to take on the work as a provider or sub-provider of this type of service
depending on what type of licensing and permissions are needed.
· English Chat - Also apparent from the Khorugh City aspect of our survey was the need for activities that appeal to young people
and give them meaningful leisure pursuits. English Chat provides a venue and forum for youth and others in Khorugh to practice and develop
their English language skills. English Chat began in November 2007 and has been well received by students, teachers and local NGO staff
involved in teaching English. We hope to develop English Chat further and conduct our first English Chat activity club during the summer of
2008.
· Training Medical Personnel - This would include providing information and communication techniques around a variety of medical
and social issues such as HIV/AIDS, Alcohol and other Drug abuse, quitting smoking, immunization, family violence, STD’S, etc. With a
medical doctor on staff, we hope to work in partnership with the local and regional health and social services authorities in the near future.
II. Future Plans for ELC
It is our expectation in 2008 to be granted a license to provide instructions in both English and other languages. We would recruit local and
foreign teachers who will work to continue to improve the lives of the Tajik.
Should a license be issued, Operation Mercy Tajikistan in Khorugh will consider restarting the pilot in 2008.
Source: Aid Coordination and Project Monitoring System Database
© State Committee on Investments and State Property Management of the RT
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