" The CAI-funded construction project was finally completed in early 2020 .
When community members
reached out to Central Asia Institute Tajikistan ( CAIT ) in 2017 , they had all but given up hope that anyone would help them . But CAIT ’ s director , Mahbuba Qurbonalieva , jumped at the chance to help rebuild the school for the people of Spinz , even though there were significant challenges to overcome .
Because of the school ’ s isolated and mountainous location , workers couldn ’ t use large trucks to tote materials , opting instead for smaller , more maneuverable vehicles . As a result , more trips up and down the mountain were needed . The terrain also featured massive rocks and roots that had to be removed , which meant that more workers were needed to stay on schedule . Construction had to halt altogether during Tajikistan ’ s long winters .
The CAI-funded construction project was finally completed in early 2020 . The result was an entirely new school building designed to provide a safe , healthy environment where the village ’ s young students could learn . The concrete structure , with its large windows , new furniture and equipment , computers , electricity , and baseboard heat , allows students to focus on their coursework without choking on smoke and fearing the roof will fall in on them . CAIT also built a safer and more sanitary toilet and constructed a boundary wall around the school so that children can play freely out of harm ’ s way .
With the new enlarged school , CAIT was also able to bring education to more children in the surrounding community . The school is equipped to accommodate close to 70 students and has a dedicated classroom for early childhood development courses for children aged 3 to 5 .
“ It means class with computers and a modern and safe heating system ,” said Asvad , an eighth-grade boy , when asked what the new school means to him .
“ It means all necessary conditions for learning . The only thing I need to do now is study and become a great scientist for our village , region , or whole country !”
Asvad ’ s teacher , Javharieva , beams with joy when she talks about the new school , echoing Asvad ’ s excitement about the new computers and hope for what the future might hold for the graduates of Dilshodov Chorshanbe School .
“ In the old school , due to the bad and old installation of the electric system , we were even afraid to use computers ,” she said . “ Now we have a computer lab with three computers and a printer , where computer science lessons are held with practical exercises . And we are not going to stop there . We will develop further .”
A rubber ball is able to bounce high because of its elasticity — its ability to change and adapt . After years of having to endure deplorable conditions , the children of Spinz are now adapting to their new surroundings , immersing themselves in the joy of learning , and rebounding to ever greater heights .
There are no bounds to how high they will soar . a
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