News & Events
March 2004-May 2004

New On-Site Monitor and Educator at School #2, Khorog

In May 2004, Relief International - Schools Online opened its 20th Internet Learning Center at School #2 in Khorog city in cooperation with Aga Khan Education Services. Khorog is located in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO), an isolated region in the Pamir Mountains of eastern Tajikistan that is home to a large population of Ismaili Muslims.

School #2 is located in the center of Khorog, but it struggles to keep the best students who often go to private schools once they reach the higher grades. Now with the help of the Internet center, the school hopes they can increase attendance levels. Connectivity Program Director Garth Willis visited the school and helped prepare the room for the computers. The director of the school expressed his gratitude that pupils and community members would have a chance to communicate with the world through the ILC. School #2 plans to hold an official opening ceremony to start the school year in September.

Students participating in Tajik/Uzbek forum, School #16, Gulyakandoz

Tajikistan and Uzbekistan School Connectivity Projects Hold Cross-Border Forums
The first forum between Connectivity Project in Tajikistan (administered by RI-SOL) Central Asia and Uzbekistan (administered by IREX) was conducted on May 7, 2004. Students from both countries took an active part in the forum, posting many interesting replies to the questions: What is your ideal school? What are the pluses and minuses of your school now? What would you like to change?

After the success of the first forum, it was decided to conduct forums every week. Forums are held on Fridays from 14:00 to 15:00, in a different language each week--Tajik, Uzbek, Russian, and English. Schools participating in the forums are School #20, Fergana, School #115 Karshi, and School #11 Termez in Uzbekistan; and School # 2 Gissar, School #12 Kurgan-Tyube, School #1 Sarband, School #4 Chkalovsk, School #3 Kanibadam, School #16 Jabbor Rasulov, School #4 Khujand and School #10 Vose in Tajikistan.

The topics for the forum questions are based on the input of students. One of the most interesting forums was about the role and importance of Russian language in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Some students said that it is necessary to keep Russian as the language of education as there are less textbooks and materials in national languages. Others had opposite views.

The last forum took place on Friday, June 4. Students from both countries were asked to find information about the traditions and customs of the other country on the Internet, and then post the information they learned on the forum. Students then replied to the posts about their country, agreeing or correcting what they found. The students decided on what people from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have or do not have in common.

The forums have been a great success in helping the students increase their Internet and computer skills, while learning more about the people, traditions, and customs of their neighbors.

"It is very important to save our native language--for us, for our future, for our kids.... Our native language is our legacy; we received it with the milk from our mothers, with our culture. But every educated person should know as many languages as he needs to better his future--Uzbek, Russian, Tajik, English...." —Zarina, School #16, Gulyakandoz, Tajikistan

"During the Soviet period we were living under one roof — Tajikistan and Uzbekistan — and then we became independent states. But we are still friends, because now we know we have similar traditions and rituals." —Dmitry, Gymnasium 'Parvoz', Uzbekistan

Connectivity students becoming trainers on human trafficking, School #2, Gissar

Connectivity Students from School #2 in Gissar Lead Human Trafficking Trainings
Connectivity students from School #2 in Gissar were invited to a seminar on human trafficking organized by NGO "Sanitas" and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The students played different games and roles to learn more about their rights and human trafficking. As student Afzal Sharipov said, "The trainers explained to us that human trafficking is illegal.... Now we know that it is really slavery."

At the end of the seminar, trainers divided the students into two groups and asked them to conduct the same seminars in ten other schools in Gissar. The first seminars the students led were for students from 8th-11th grade at Schools #2 and #10. The teachers and students of the schools were surprised at how confident the student trainers were about the material, and the participants had lively discussions stemming from the different games and performances.

From February until May, the student teams conducted trainings and seminars in ten schools in Gissar. During the seminars, the students distributed brochures from IOM. The student trainers also received the support of the local government of Gissar. At the end of their trainings, the students created an electronic bulletin in Word to show the results of their trainings and spread information about human trafficking.

Students learning about the dangers of smoking, School #3, Kanibadam

Kanibadam Students Learn the Dangers of Smoking from NGOs and Internet
On May 31, the ILC at School #3 in Kanibadam held a round table discussion called "From Tobacco To Narcotic in One Step" with the participation of NGO "Khaeti Solim". The main goal of the event was to convince students who are beginning to smoke that smoking is unhealthy. ILC staff and Lead Teachers organized the event, which included eighteen Connectivity students and four Lead Teachers.

At the ILC, participants of the round table had an opportunity to visit websites against smoking cigarettes and drugs. Students did research on the history of smoking, especially in Russia. They found out that the free sale of smoking tobacco only began during the time of Peter I, concluding that in Russia smoking is a very recent habit.

The students also signed a pledge not to smoke as part of the "Stop Smoking and Win 2004!" project on the www.nosmoke.ru website, organized by the World Health Organization and the Institute of Pulmonology of Russia. They gave different prizes to the winners who agreed to stop smoking. After this activity, the Kanibadam team e-mailed a newsletter about this event to other Connectivity Schools.

The AKHP team and Nafisa, learning and working together

Disability Program Participants Learn Life Skills Through Connectivity Training
Through Connectivity Project outreach training, one of the participants in ORA International's Disability Program is now a volunteer at the Aga Khan Humanities Project (AKHP) Resource Center. Nafisa was a librarian at Dushanbe’s main Firdausi Library before a car accident left her paralyzed from the waist down. After four years completely housebound, Nafisa joined the Connectivity training program for people with disabilities at the ILC in School #10, Dushanbe (see Connectivity Newsletter Issue #1, January '04). Nafisa had never used a computer before.

The training she received from Connectivity staff and students taught her not only new computer skills, but also gave her self-confidence and positive encouragement. Through RI-SOL contacts and Nafisa's willingness, she was accepted as a volunteer at the AKHP Resource Center. The AKHP Resource Center houses over 3,400 books, 600 CDs, and 500 videos in English, Russian, and Tajik about the humanities, and receives an average of 50 visitors per day.

At the center, Nafisa researches book information on the Internet, categorizes and labels books, and signs out books on the computer. After participating in the Connectivity Program training and volunteering at the AKHP Resource Center, Nafisa said, "I finally feel that someone needs me. I know now that I have useful skills to offer." Nafisa wants to continue learning new methods of library management using technology, and plans to utilize the AKHP Resource Center materials to learn English.

Students at Ukiah High School in Ukiah, Oregon

US Students Create Travel Posters for Tajikistan
As a follow up to the Stereotypes activity, teachers Rob Batease and Norma Barber of Ukiah High School in Ukiah, Oregon had their students research Tajikistan. Using the results of their research and the information they learned from the Stereotypes forum, the students created travel and tourist posters for Tajikistan. Their posters showed how much the students learned about Tajikistan, and helped to reinforce positive views of the realities of life in Tajikistan among students from other classes.

New US School Partners Prepare for Next Year
Our US team has been hard at work recruiting more schools to join the Connectivity Project next year. Oroville High School, a rural school on the border of Canada in Oroville, Washington, has just joined. Harker School, a private school in the heart of Silicon Valley, in San Jose, California, will also participate. And our latest addition to the project is High Tech High International, a new charter school that focuses on technology in San Diego, California. High Tech will also host the five Tajikistan teachers who will visit the US in September. The teachers will spend a day at High Tech to see their classroom technology in action. All these schools already use technology in teaching and are very excited to know more about Tajikistan and their partner schools.

US Embassy Public Affairs Officer Jeni Washeleski opening Orion-1

Bio-gas Station "Orion-1" Opens in Chorbogh, Kulyab
On April 30, 2004, School #40 in Chorbogh village hosted an opening ceremony for their new bio-gas generator called "Orion-1". This generator is the first public bio-gas generator in Tajikistan to be created according to all technical standards. The completion of this project has solved daily electricity problems in School #40's ILC.

The bio-gas generator was built to provide a clean alternative energy source. Agricultural waste from local farms and cattle herds is converted into gas that powers a generator, providing both electricity and heat. Nutrient-rich fertilizer, a by-product of the bio-gas process, is returned to the local farm committee. Bio-gas generators are economical, ecological, secure, and reliable.

The bio-gas generator was funded as part of the School Connectivity Project, and we hope that its success will provide a model for other sustainable and environmentally-friendly energy projects in Tajikistan.

Open discussion, TOT Dushanbe

On-Site Educators, TOT Khujand

Senior Connectivity Staff Lead Second TOT Workshop
From April 19 to 25, 2004, RI-SOL held two Training of Trainers (TOT) workshops in Dushanbe and Khujand for 20 Phase 1 and 16 Phase 2 staff from all over Tajikistan. The goal was to consolidate and learn from Phase 1 employees’ experiences, while providing training for the employees of recently opened Phase 2 schools. The workshop also served as a team-building opportunity for staff based in schools from many different regions.

The Senior On-Site Educators taught new On-Site Educators how to provide training using interactive methods of student-centered teaching. They also led workshops on how to select Lead Teachers and students, develop lesson plans, and create reports. The new Educators learned how to lead project-based learning activities with Word, Excel, the digital camera, Internet, and FrontPage, as well as collaborative projects. Examples and lessons learned from Phase 1 schools were discussed during every stage of the workshop.

The On-Site Monitors learned how to maintain and optimize the computers and their use in the ILC. They reviewed the reporting process, reviewed new pro- cedures for protecting computers from viruses, and learned new skills such as HTML. Throughout the workshop, the participants played interactive games, participated in question-and-answer sessions and open discussions, and, most importantly, learned how to work together as one team.

"When you teach us you pass on your knowledge, and then we pass it on to our teachers and students. While some schools have access to computers and the Internet, the staff do not have the skills to bring current best practices to educators and students. Workshops like this can improve this situation for our communities." --Botir Karimov, Assistant On-Site Monitor, Khujand, Gymnasium #4, FSA/FLEX Alumni '02.

Community Committee Meeting, School #32, Istaravshan

Community Mobilization Meetings Held in Schools
In April and May, 2004 all ILCs around Tajikistan held Community Committees meetings for the development of new ideas on the future of their ILCs. With RI-SOL headquarters staff, the members of the committees discussed how to plan new projects based on ILC activities and how to best use the knowledge of the Lead Teachers and students who worked on ILC projects. The overall objective of the meetings was to introduce the concept of sustainability and how to generate resources to continue the operations of the center after the project ends. Many Community Committees already had ideas for the future, and will submit draft sustainability plans to the head office in May. The Dushanbe office plans to support the Community Committees by helping them to search for different projects and grants, as well as prepare proposals.

Anti-Drug Forum, School #10, Sarband

Connectivity Project ILCs Participate in Anti-Drug Forum
On April 17 and 18 all ILCs around Tajikistan participated in an online forum called "Children Against Drugs", organized in partnership with ACCELS for Global Youth Service Day. The main goal of this activity was to raise awareness among young people about the problem of drug addiction.

In the ILC at School #10, Dushanbe, students from several Dushanbe schools, repre- sentatives from ORA International, volunteers, and representatives from ACCELS and RI-SOL all participated. In the ILC at School #16, Gulyakandoz, participants in the anti-drug forum had an opportunity to discuss their questions with representatives from the Drug Control Agency and different NGOs.

"Drugs can bring death to people, but we shouldn't disown drug addicts, because they need our help and support. They haven't the strength to fight drugs by themselves...." –- post from the Gulyakandoz student team. Over 400 children from Tajikistan participated and awards were given for best essays on drugs.

New Internet Learning Center Funded in Ayni
With the support of the British Embassy in Dushanbe and RI-SOL, the School Connectivity Project for Tajikistan will open another new Internet Learning Center in the Ayni district of Sugd region. Ayni is located in the mountainous region between the north and south of Tajikistan. This region has never seen Internet before, and for mountain communities having a connection to the outside world is especially important. Mountain communities around the world are threatened as residents move to the cities to find better work opportunities. It is hoped that this Internet Learning Center will give people incentive and opportunities for work and professional growth in their own community. The center will be opening in June of 2004 and will be online in August. We would like to thank the British Embassy for their support of our project and the people of Tajikistan.

School #35, Faizabad

Nine New Internet Learning Centers Open in March -- April 28, 2004
Phase 2 of the Tajikistan School Connectivity Project officially began in March as nine new Internet Learning Centers opened across Tajikistan. Officials from local mayor’s offices, Ministry of Education departments, parents, and community groups attended the openings at the schools, along with representatives from the RI-SOL head office in Dushanbe.

Students and teachers participated in the opening ceremonies with presentations, songs, and dances. After the official contract was signed between RI-SOL, the school director,and a representative from the Community Committee, students and teachers began using the computers for the very first time. New On-Site Monitors and On-Site Educators also began their work in each of the centers.

We are pleased to welcome all the Phase 2 schools to the Connectivity Project, and all the new directors, teachers, students, and staff to our RI-SOL family!

Learning about human rights

Tajikistan School Connectivity Project Connectivity Schools in Tajikistan and US Debate Human Rights Themes Online -- April 16, 2004
The Connectivity Project civic education theme for March was "Citizens' Rights and Responsibilities". During the first half of March, Connectivity students and teachers in both Tajikistan and America studied the "Human Rights" chapter of the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) "Citizenship, Governance,& Participation" textbook and conducted their own research on human rights.

Connectivity student teams in each school conducted polls of fellow students and community members about which human rights are the most important to them. They made pie graphs of their results using Microsoft Excel,and wrote essays in Word comparing the results of the two polls. Several local NGOs provided seminars, practice debates, and trainings for Tajikistan Connectivity students on human rights, including the OSCE field office in Kulyab, the NGOs Gamkhori and Ranginkamon in Kurgan-Tyube, and NGO Saodat in Sugd.

Students, teachers, and parents discussed what responsibilities correspond with the human rights that are most important to their community. They also considered what can be done by the government, international organizations, local community groups, and individuals to protect these rights in their community.

The month culminated in online debates between US and Tajikistan schools on the RI-SOL forums. Special "Human Rights" forums were set up for the debates, where student teams from both sides posted their arguments and rebuttals about topics such as: "All women have the right to own property," "Individuals should be free to marry whomever they want," and "All citizens have the right to free university education". In addition to general forums for the public, teachers, students, and volunteers, each US-Tajikistan school team has a "Partner School" forum. To view the forums and read the debates, go to:
http://tojikiston.com/connect/forum/index.php

Orphans Learning Internet Skills

Orphans Learning Internet Skills at the ILC in Lycee #1, Kulyab -- April 5, 2004
The Republican Boarding School in Kulyab is an orphanage for children whose fathers died during the civil war. The school received computers donated by President Rakhmonov, but because they have very limited electricity and no Internet connection at the school, the children do not use the computers.

After contacting the Connectivity Project, the orphanage students and their computer teacher, Kurbonali Seruev, arranged to come to the ILC at Lycee #1 each Monday and Friday. Their teacher is showing them how to use the computers, and volunteers at the ILC are helping them to work on the Internet. In the future the children plan to create a website about their lives in Tajikistan, and they want to contact orphans in other countries across the world.

Student photo, Chorbogh

International Women's Day Photo Competition and Exhibition -- March 4, 2004
One of the main objectives of the Tajikistan School Connectivity Project is to empower girls. In ten Internet Learning Centers located in several different regions of Tajikistan, girls from the 8-11th classes were invited to take digital photos of women and women's activities in their communities. For many girls, this was their first time using a digital camera, downloading the photos, and sending them via email.

Several of the photographs were displayed in "The Creative World of Women" exhibition organized by the Aga Khan Humanities Project and the Bactria Cultural Center, held in Dushanbe from March 6-25, 2004. The results show the variety of roles women hold not only in Tajikistan's families, but also in its economy and culture. View student photos from the competition and exhibition here.

• Archive: December, 2004 - February, 2005
• Archive: September, 2004 - November, 2004
• Archive: June, 2004 - August, 2004
  
• Archive: March, 2004 - May, 2004
  
• Archive: December, 2003 - February, 2004
  
• Archive: August - November, 2003

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The Tajikistan School Connectivity Project for Central Asia is a project of Relief International - Schools Online's Global Citizenship & Youth Philanthropy Program and has been made possible with major funding from the United States State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the Global Catalyst Foundation.