Connect The World, Inc and Habitat for Humanity are looking into a partnership possibility in building a community of 238 houses with access to alternative energy sources and digital data connection in Khujand city, Tajikistan.
 DUSHANBE, TAJIKISTAN (September 10, 2009) – Connect The World, Inc (CTW) group together with Habitat for Humanity International representatives visited Tajikistan from Augusts 26 to September 6 , 2009. The purpose of the visit of CTW was to analyze the potential of supporting one of Habitat Tajikistan’s housing projects of 238 homes in Khujand by providing the community with an affordable and sustainable energy sources, using solar panels, (other alternative energy sources) and broadband digital connection.
The CTW group consisted of two teams – the film and technical crews, who met with representatives of Ministries, Government and Internet Providers to discuss possibilities of future partnership. The film crew visited project sites and interviewed Habitat Tajikistan’s beneficiary families as part of a film-making project.
The technical crew under the leadership of Mr. James Digby, Chief Operations Officer of CTW met with representatives of Internet providers in Tajikistan as Babilon-T, Telecomm-Technology and Intercom. The main topics discussed were internet providers’ services, their experience on Wi-Fi and other modern technology and the long- term plans. The internet providers expressed their readiness and willingness for partnership in the current project. It was concluded that Habitat Tajikistan and CTW will set up an action plan with service requirements, as internet providers will propose their commercial offers. Also, the groups met with representatives of Ministry of Energy and Industry in Dushanbe. There were discussions on the energy sector of the country, its challenges, and future plans of the Ministry on development of renewable energy sources. Sayfullo Amonov, the Head of International Relations Department of the Ministry of Energy and Industry said: ”The government of Tajikistan is very interested in improvement of this sector and we have put together a development program for 2007-2015 but currently we are only implementing small pilot projects and surveys due to lack of investments in this sector”. The Ministry of Energy and Industry agreed to support the implementation of the project and thanked CTW for this development initiative and assigned a party to be responsible to liaise between Habitat Tajikistan, CTW and Ministry of Energy and Industry on further communication.
 Habitat for Humanity and CTW representatives met with Sughd Regional mayor Kohir Rasulzoda and Khujand city mayor Sodik Mirkholikov. The focus of the discussion was on the housing problems in Khujand, where the 238 houses are to be built by Habitat Tajikistan, and the solutions to be implemented. Kohir Rasulzoda also mentioned that the Khujand Government has started an implementation of a housing project where land has been given to families who are in desperate need of housing, and that in the future, there is a possibility to partner with Habitat Tajikistan in the building process of these houses. It was also mentioned that the Khujand Government is planning to allocate 7 million somonis for the infrastructureon this land:
“Currently, the Khujand Government allocated 200hectors ofland for this purpose and we are ready for the possibility of partnership with Habitat Tajikistan in implementation of this project in Khujand city.” The Khujand City Mayor pointed out the areas in Khujand that are most convenient for the establishment of solar panels and wind farms. Mayors of the Government expressed appreciation for the efforts of Habitat for Humanity and CTW to initiate this partnership.
After the meetings, the CTW and Habitat for Humanity representatives visited project sites in 29th and 3rd micro-districts of Khujand where homes will be built. They investigated the area for suitable locations of solar panels and wind farms.
Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated and repaired more than 300,000 homes worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people. In Europe and Central Asia, Habitat for Humanity works in 20 countries, building and repairing houses, offering housing microfinance services, improving water and sanitation, working on disaster response and advocating for affordable housing, all with families in need. Find out more at www.habitateurope.org.
Habitat for Humanity Tajikistan
In Tajikistan, Habitat was established in 1999, and to date more than 1000 housing interventions have been completed, ranging from new house builds, completion of half-built houses, renovations and the complete remodeling of an apartment block building, together with volunteers and homeowners. A total of almost 3091 families have been served as of June 2009. Find out more at www.habitat.tj.
Connect the World, Inc
Connect the World, Inc. (CTW) is a non-profit formed by KAASE Holdings (KH) to leverage the combined expertise, resources, and access of KAASE Holdings to stimulate
economic development in disadvantaged communities. KAASE was formed by partners who have wide and varied background in Telecommunications, Marketing, Alternative Energy, International Investments, Non-Profit and For-Profit Fundraising, and International Program Management. With 25+ years’ average experience in each of these areas, KAASE executives bring a wealth of practical knowledge to Network Development, Digital Networking, Fiber Optics, Radio and Satellite Communications, Manufacturing, On and Off Grid Alternative Energy, and Eco-Friendly Construction. With a strong global network and extensive operating experience in over 40 countries, KAASE Holding partners deliver results required by partners, donors, investors and customers.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
For images and further information, please contact:
Nazira Rakhmatova
Resource Development Manager
Habitat for Humanity Tajikistan
1 st Proezd Zehni Str. 20
Dushanbe, 734013, Tajikistan
Fax: +992 37 227 74 48
Tel: +992 37 227 74 25
Mob: +992 93 575 1551
E-mail: nazira@habitat.tj
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