DUSHANBE, December 27, 2012, Asia-Plus  - President Emomali Rahmon yesterday visited an orphanage in Tursunzoda, according to the president’s official website.

The main purpose of the visit was for the president to get acquainted with studying and living conditions of pupils.

Established in 1959, the Tursunzoda boarding school was reportedly reorganized into orphanage for homeless children in 1993.

In May 2012, Tursunzoda authorities jointly with local entrepreneurs funded the renovation of the orphanage’s building consisting of 50 rooms.  All the rooms are provided with furniture, computers and necessary educational supplies.  A total cost of renovation was more than 2 million somoni.

The orphanage is now home for 173 children, including 57 girls.  The orphanage pupils of school-going age are studying in four nearby schools.

The president congratulated the orphanage pupils on the upcoming New Year and gave New Year’s presents and warm clothes to them.  Besides, Emomali Rahmon donated TV sets and laundry washers to the orphanage.     

The president ordered local authorities to build a new boarding school to accommodate 640 children on an area of three hectares within the next two years.