DUSHANBE, March 13, 2012, Asia-Plus – On Monday March 12, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with Counterpart International, launched its first series of after-school youth activities in communities of the Zarafshon Valley, the Rasht Valley, and Gorno Badakhshan under the USAID-funded Young Leaders Program, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe said.

The project works closely with authorities, schools, parents and community leaders in target communities, in order to make sure that the afterschool activities reflect the interest and the demand of youth in that particular location.  These activities are aimed at promoting positive behavior and attitudes in young people and offer opportunities for constructive engagement during the hours when young people are not in school.  The activities will include in class training on leadership and out of class development activities such as sports, drama and art.

The Young Leaders Program launched in 2011 in order to promote positive youth engagement and participation at the community life, through teaching youth leadership, civic responsibility and volunteerism skills. Counterpart International implements this project in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Youth Committee, local non-governmental organizations, and local level authorities.  The project works in nine communities of the three target regions.

The Young Leaders Program is one of the many assistance projects supported by the American people through USAID.  Since 1992, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe has provided about $984 million in programs that support Tajikistan’s security, democratic institutions, the social sector, and economic growth.