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Training

IATP training modules on basic computer literacy, Web design, Internet research, blogging, and wiki creation are tailored to specific focus groups and designed to raise efficiency of trainees.  IATP provides free computer literacy trainings to those who are interested in gaining skills that are essential in today’s modern word.  Upon successfully completing computer courses, some IATP trainees opened new business, received employments and promotions at work place. Highlights describing successes of those trainees as follows:

Disabled Community Uses ICT Skills to Secure Employment and Meet their Social Needs

Thanks in part to IATP technical training, disabled citizens from Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan, are becoming entrepreneurs empowered to obtain the assistance they need.  In recent months, Samuil Lavskiy, a leader of the disabled community in Turkmenabat, cooperated with local entrepreneurs to open several businesses.  These enterprises have had a positive impact on the local community and are currently employing 18 people with disabilities.

In September 2008, a group headed by Lavskiy opened its second business, Sungat Studio, which provides services such as CD copying and audio-video material processing and sells music and film products.  Before developing the proposal for Sungat Studio, Lavskiy and his partners surveyed Turkmenabat citizens, assessing the city’s demand for such services.  Utilizing IATP resources, the group conducted online research, developed a survey questionnaire, and produced job application forms.  Four disabled Turkmenabat residents are now employed at Sungat.

In late 2007, Lavskiy and his coworkers started to develop their community service projects under the USAID-funded Local Development Initiatives Grant Program administered by Counterpart International.  Receiving grants for $5,500 and $1,125, they first launched the FAN Service Center, which provides tailoring, laundering, and salon services in the city.  As a result of the new business, 14 formerly unemployed disabled citizens are making dresses, repairing shoes, maintaining facilities, and styling hair.  Lavskiy, who is afflicted with cerebral palsy, is one of 12 disabled citizens who completed IATP courses in basic computing, Internet use, graphic editing, and Web design over the last two years. Through specialized seminars jointly organized by IATP and the Hemayat Economics Association, these individuals also learned about business planning, management, and relevant legal issues.

To date, income from Sungat Studio and FAN Service Center has allowed Lavskiy to purchase ten walking aids for people with cerebral palsy.  According to the project’s business plans, Lavskiy plans to spend part of the business’ profits on similar charitable endeavors for his disabled peers in Turkmenabat. 

Unemployed Kyrgyzstan Citizens Find Work after Training

Twenty-seven individuals from across Kyrgyzstan improved their job search skills with the assistance of IATP courses, resulting in new employment opportunities for five individuals in Nookat.

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  Five residents of Nookat found employment with local organizations thanks to knowledge and skills they gained at IATP computer courses. Meerim Kochonova was hired by the Nookat Regional Department of Agriculture and Gulida Kalandarova became an administrator of the Center for Civic Support.

• Twenty-two residents from Bishkek, Balykchy, Nookat, Karakol, and Talas improved their resume writing and job search skills through IATP courses and online discussions. In the resume-writing session, Balykchy IATP Center Administrator Sergei Erlih commented on the importance of volunteer work and inclusion of information on paid and unpaid internships on resumes. Participants learned about labor codes and the rights and responsibilities of the unemployed from Ainura Hashimova, a lawyer and instructor at Kyrgyzstan Law Academy. Stella Bilalova, the co-author of a recent publication entitled Job Search, Career and Professional Growth, shared job search strategies and tips on organization databases, resume writing and interviewing. Bilalova also gave recommendations on using the Internet in the job search and links to websites containing vacancy announcements.

IATP User Hired as Project Coordinator for EU Sponsored Project

Tajik farmer Nasriddin Rustamov was appointed Project Coordinator at Dehkan Farms Service Center (DFSC) on March 29 after receiving positive attention for the website he created for Lola Farming (http://lola.freenet.tj). Rustamov also presented to the National Association of Farmers of Tajikistan (NAFT) in January 2008. Through extensive IATP training, Rustamov has been learning to create and update websites, including Wikipedia (http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Фермерское_хозяйство_Лола).

In his new job at DFSC, which is sponsored by the European Union and administered by the NGO Arbitraj, Rustamov will train farmers in the Vahdat and Yavan regions in computing and Internet search skills. He will also coordinate a new project that will provide recommendations on agricultural development. Rustamov remarked, “The IT skills that I have acquired at the Dushanbe IATP center, along with the website and wiki of my organization, encouraged the DFSC selection committee to appoint me to this position.” He continued, “Now, as a project coordinator, I have a duty to share my experience with other farming organizations and teach them necessary IT skills to ease and promote their work.”

The Lola Farming website demonstrates the importance of online information and communication for farmers in Tajikistan. “The website enables me to be in contact with farmers from other Central Asian countries and Russia,” commented Rustamov. “Besides, through our website we can demonstrate the results of our activities to our donors who help us to implement agricultural and livestock industry projects in our region.”

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