DUSHANBE, October 28, 2011, Asia-Plus – On Thursday October 27, U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Ken Gross participated in the ribbon cutting ceremonies for two newly renovated medical points in the villages of Duoba and Jonvarsuz in the Faizobod district, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe said.

Deputy Minister of Health Saida Jobirova, Head of the Health Department of Faizobod District Karomatullo Sharipov, Head of Jonvarsuz Mahalla Mirzo Kholov, Chairman of the Faizobod District Abdullo Hakimov, Country Director of Counterpart International Mumin Siddiqshoyev, and Head of Duoba local community Nizomiddin Shamsov, all participated in the opening ceremonies.

The civil war significantly damaged the medical clinic in Duoba, and the medical clinic in Jonvarsus sustained major water damage.  In both buildings, the U.S. Embassy replaced wooden floors, re-plastered and repainted walls and ceilings, installed new plastic windows, laid new ceramic tiles, and improved the power supply systems.  Total cost of the renovations was $24,000.

The renovations demonstrate the ongoing partnership between the United States, the Government of Tajikistan, and key non-governmental organizations.  For the project, the local and executive governments of Faizobod contributed thousands of dollars to replace the roofs of both medical clinics. The newly renovated healthcare facilities will provide healthcare services to 7,500 residents in a region where 95% of inhabitants live below the poverty line.

Counterpart International’s Community Humanitarian and Assistance Program implemented the health center renovations, and the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia funded the project.

On the same day, Civil Affairs Commander Major Arnel David and Civil Military Support Element Team Leader Wesley Strong from the U.S. Embassy Dushanbe cut the ribbon to open newly renovated School #10 in Tavildara District.

The U.S. Department of Defense Overseas Humanitarian Disaster Assistance and Civic Aid funds renovated the school at a cost of $48,900.  The rebuilt school provides classroom space for over 120 students and will greatly improve the educational opportunities for students in this area.  Deputy Chief of the Construction Department of the Ministry of Education Abduqodir Zaurov, Tavildara District Chairman Himatsho Ghairatov, and School #10 Director Yusuf Ghafourov also attended the ceremony.

The school was heavily damaged during the civil war and had not been repaired. Prior to this project, local children were educated in private homes. The U.S. Embassy, in cooperation with the local government, repaired the damage allowing their children to attend school again. The school officially opened today, and teachers and students are back in class.

This project is one of the many assistance projects the U.S. Embassy implements in Tajikistan on behalf of the American people.  Since 1993, the American people have provided more than $984 million in assistance programs that support the economic growth, democratic institutions, health care, education and security systems of Tajikistan.