On March 19, 2022, Aga Khan Foundation Tajikistan (AKF Tjk), an agency of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), in collaboration with Population Council and International Consultants conducted a Human Centered Design, where one of the findings was the absence of accessibility of the available services from the side of the Adolescents girls/boys 10-15 years old and the Initiative of Bringing available Services to the adolescent’s attention is one of the steps where Adolescent Empowerment component under the Foundation for Health and Empowerment (F4HE) is fulfilling the identified gap, says press release issued by AKDN Tajikistan on April 4.

The Guest Lecturers conducted interactive sessions with the participants where they presented their available services to the audience, told them their customers’ successes after using their services and welcomed the adolescents for visiting and using the Providers services.

“Such projects with a new approach of engaging Community Leaders and giving them a vital role in implementing of different initiatives, is a high motivation of better recognition of their community households living status.  This initiative will lead a bridge of improvement and interest for other active young leaders to be engaged in such approaches,” Zuhal Mirzoev, Head of Shohtemuriyon Jamoat of Regional Government, said.

In the Event as a Guest Lecturers, 4 core Stakeholders participated - one from Regional Government and the three others were from NGOs, who are part AH&E Community of Practice which is the core objective of the community-based projects.

“This initiative will lead a bridge of improvement and interest for other active young leaders to be engaged in such approaches,” said Shahlo Gulomavloeva, Head of Saifullo Abdulloev community.

The invited Guests were: Zuhal Mirzoev, Regional Hukumat,Head of Shohtemuriyon Jamoat ,Khorog City, who conducted a session on Governmental Community Structure; Shahlo Gulomavloeva, Head of Saifullo Abdulloev Community of Khorog City, who conducted an introductory presentation on her appointment and induction with the heads of Saifullo Abdulloev Sub mahallas; Rukhshona Nurmamadshoeva, National Council, Social Safety Net Project Manager, who conducted an awareness/informative and interactive session on Mental Health and the core social services that SSN is providing; and Hakim Kiyobekov, head of Programme at Ismaili Centre in Khorog, who introduced the audience to the social life of Ismaili Centre and Jamaatkhana and made an awareness presentation highlighting the core services available for adolescents.

The participants of Adolescent Health and Empowerment Component of F4HE project have brightened their informational base about the core available services that they can access throughout the community where they are residing.

Overall, this initiative is one of the steps where Adolescent Empowerment component under F4HE is fulfilling the identified gap.

AKDN and its agencies focus on empowering and improving the lives of people in developing countries. AKDN programs are aimed at the well-being of all people, regardless of race, nationality, or religion.