According to the results of a survey conducted by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) in 2005, the biggest problems for young men and women in Tajikistan are unemployment (26%), poverty (16%), shortage of land and resources for house building (16%) and financial constraints for obtaining education and health care services (15%).
With the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Habitat Tajikistan established Building and Training Centers (BTC) in two impoverished areas - Asht and Kumsangir. This project aims to contribute to the social and economic development of the country. In the Asht district, the Center with manufacturing facilities offers vocational education programs on sewing, computer courses, welding, electricity, masonry, plastering and painting. These courses are integrated into the state-run education system.
The Centers are designed to create employment opportunities and enhance self-employment options for disadvantaged groups, while simultaneously assisting local communities to improve living conditions through building, renovating and maintaining safe and decent homes.
The 18 courses offered by the Center, will benefit 216 individuals annually, who will gain vocational skills and HIV/AIDS awareness. The local production of cost-effective building materials, will give families in need access to alternative and affordable building materials. Approximately 150 homes will be renovated or completed and 500 individuals trained on earthquake resistant house construction in the Kumsangir district annually. In both areas around 50 people are being employed by the Centers.
A look at how Habitat for Humanity Tajikistan is working with others to create building and training centers to further help partner families.
