Impact Report 2022 | Page 5

Tajikistan

Tajikistan ’ s easternmost province is known as the Gorno- Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast ( GBAO ). The people of GBAO belong to a religious and ethnic minority and are therefore marginalized by the central government . As a result , the region receives less support from the nation ’ s capital . Without this financial backing , the region has fallen behind in education and economic opportunities . Programs you supported helped to bridge that gap .
WOMEN ’ S ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING
IMPROVING STEM EDUCATION THROUGH TEACHER TRAINING
SCHOLARSHIPS
IMPROVED SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE
Women in GBAO possess traditional skills in catering , crafting , and other arts . In 2021 , the ASPIRE program trained and equipped 119 of these women to transform their skills into small businesses and income .
The “ Science and Math Access for Remote Tajik Teachers ” ( SMARTT ) project provided training on modern subject matter and teaching methods to 230 math and science teachers working in remote communities . Monitoring of students ’ test scores before and after their teachers were trained showed their grades in these subjects improved .
Scholarships were awarded to 108 students allowing them to pursue their undergraduate and master ’ s studies . Thanks to this financial support , 40 students obtained their degrees in 2021 .
The construction of a new preschool in Barushan village began in 2021 . The foundation and first-floor walls were completed as part of the first phase of construction . Once it ’ s finished , the new school will provide a safe , warm , and healthier environment for more than 100 children , and future generations of preschoolers , to learn , play , and thrive .