KULOB, February 27, 214, Asia-Plus -- On February 27, Mission East held a training seminar in Kulob for school principals, students and teachers from the Kulob University, who are involved in the implementation of the project, Out of the Shadows: Bringing Children with Disabilities into Tajik Society.

“The overall objective of the project is in reducing social exclusion of children with disabilities and their families in Tajikistan,” the project coordinator Rajabali Rahmonov told Asia-Plus in an interview.

Specific objective of the project is to support the development of the social services system for children with disabilities and their families in Khatlon province and Zarafshon area (Sughd province).  The results are expected to include creation of new social services for children with disabilities and their families through day-care centers and home based services.

“The project also promotes the implementation of the government’s decree on Tajikistan’s national concept on inclusive education for children with disabilities designed for 2011-2015,” said Rahmonov.  “Amendments regarding accessibility of schools for children with disabilities were made to the country’s law on education in August 2013.”

According to him similar training seminars have been conducted in Muminobod, Shouroobod and Khovaling districts.

Meanwhile, Mission East has opened four rehabilitation centers for children with disabilities in the Kulob region of Khatlon province.

Mission East has worked in Tajikistan since 1997.  Its strategy in Tajikistan focuses on improving livelihoods for vulnerable households and communities, with a particular emphasis on community mobilization and community management of the solutions to the problems they face.  Current programming focuses on the strengthening of civil society structures – both local organizations as well as grassroots initiatives like women’s groups or groups of parents of children with disabilities, to ensure self-management and sustainability.

Mission East has undertaken a variety of initiatives to help communities address poverty issues in a holistic and integrated way.

One particular group of people, who are especially vulnerable to the effects of poverty in the rural areas of Tajikistan, where Mission East works, is people with disabilities.  Mission East has undertaken to help children with disabilities in rural areas get access to rehabilitation services, and provides support for parents to better help their children and stand up for the rights of their children.