DUSHANBE, May 21, 2013, Asia-Plus – Japan-supported rehabilitation projects for two community centers and a school have been completed in the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO).

On May 15, Ms. Akiko Sato, 2nd Secretary, Japan’s Embassy in Dushanbe and Mr. Mamudov Jenali, head of Alichur jamoat of Murgab district participated in the handover ceremony and congratulated all the participants with the successful accomplishment of “The Project for Rehabilitation of Secondary School No.6 in Alichur Jamoat, Murgab District,” press release issued by Japan’s Embassy said.

Aiming to expand the ongoing development initiatives, including improvement of the social and economic conditions of the people living in the eastern part of Tajikistan, the Government of Japan within the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects’ (GGP) agenda provided grant assistance for the total amount of US$112,106.

School No.6 was reportedly in exhausted condition due to rough weather in the area and lack of rehabilitation work. The roof of the school had big holes on broken asbestos sheets.  The humidity caused the deterioration of doors and windows of the school. Moreover, the school suffered from severe shortage of school equipment.

The roof, windows, and walls have been fully rehabilitated through this project.  In addition, school equipment including desks, chairs, and blackboards were renewed.  Importance of school infrastructure tends to be overlooked over other issues.  However, ensuring education opportunity for children will have a long-lasting impact on an overall development of the Alichur jamoat, Murgab district.

Later that day, Ms. Akiko Sato and Mr. Muso Musoyev, the first deputy chairperson of the Ishkashim district attended the handover ceremony of “The Project for Rehabilitation of Community Center in Zong Jamoat, Ishkashim District” (US$105,811).

Being located in the mountainous area, the Zong jamoat is a home to 5,700 residents in Ishkashim district. The community center in the Zong jamoat was constructed in 1980 and has taken a major role to provide local people an opportunity for job training as well as meetings for social and cultural activities.  However, the building of the center had faced a danger of collapse due to its decrepitude.

The center has been fully rehabilitated and the activities such as sewing, handicraft, computer classes in the community center are expected to increase the opportunity for income generation especially for women and encourage local people’s involvement into the society.

On May 18, Ms. Akiko Sato and Mr. Majid Majidov, the first deputy chairperson of the Rushan district attended the handover ceremony and congratulated the successful completion of the “Project for Rehabilitation of Community Center in Rushan District” (US$111,974).  This project was implemented in cooperation with local community to help people bring about social changes and improve the quality of life in the local area.

The Community Center in Rushan district used to play an important role for the community, allowing them to participate both in socio-cultural events and job training activities.  The building was constructed more than 50 years ago and the constant water leaks and all other damages of the building forced the center to close.

The whole, building including doors, windows, walls, and the roof as well as the electric system have been rehabilitated.  The renewed community center now provides more than 5,000 people with access to a safe and comfortable space for social gathering, and conducting vocational trainings for income generation activities.

These GGP-funded projects will promote community development in a long-term perspective as they were driven by the needs, priorities and direction of local communities themselves.  The Government of Japan is dedicated to work together with the people of Tajikistan and deliver support to those who are in need.

Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) is provided to local governments, educational/ medical institutions and International NGOs in developing countries.  GGP supports projects in the human security sectors at the grassroots level.  GGP has extended more than 23.2 million U.S. dollars for 301 projects in Tajikistan.