DUSHANBE, October 22, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR JAPAN) has completed the “project for the support to persons with disabilities (PWDs) through capacity development of Tajikistan’s National Union of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Tajikistan,” started on December 6, 2010, in cooperation with National Union of PWDs of Tajikistan and Society of PWDs of Dushanbe (National Union), AAR JAPAN Office in Tajikistan reports.

This ten-month project was supported by the Government of Japan with 356,131 US dollars and also supported by donations from the general public of Japan.

The storage room of National Union of PWDs of Tajikistan was renovated into multifunctional barrier- free centre for PWDs.  The greenhouse was also renovated for vocational training.  Both renovated facilities were used for five-month vocational training, such as sewing, cooking, gardening and child day care courses, social welfare seminars and exhibition of products made by PWDs.  These activities gave opportunities for the participants to gain income generating skills and to expand their social networks.

To commemorate the completion of the project, a handover ceremony was held with the honor of presence of Mr. Hiroyuki Imahashi, the Ambassador, the Embassy of Japan in Dushanbe at the National Union of PWDs on October 21, 2011. Mr. Imahashi stated in his speech that Japan would provide support so that Tajikistan could achieve further development by itself.

Mr. Eanboy Vohidov, the head of the National Union of PWDs of Tajikistan, and Mr. Abdulhaq Asoyev, the deputy head of Dushanbe’s Society of PWDs, expressed their sincere appreciation to the Government of Japan and AAR JAPAN.

Yoshio Nakagawa, program coordinator of AAR JAPAN, concluded the ceremony with his wishes that the participants of the vocational courses would make the most of what they had learned throughout the courses.

AAR JAPAN will continue its support for people with disabilities and those in need in Tajikistan, a press release issued by AAR JAPAN Office in Tajikistan Friday afternoon said.