DUSHANBE, July 17, 2013 Asia-Plus – On July 11, Ms. Kathleen McDonald, Country Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Tajikistan, participated in the handover of 300 books for preschool children in School #2 in Sarband, Khatlon province.
The USAID Reading for Children project, implemented by the Aga Khan Foundation Tajikistan, supports the Government of Tajikistan to foster young children’s love and enthusiasm for books, in order to stimulate and develop literacy and contribute to their overall educational achievement.
Ms. McDonald, USAID Tajikistan Country Director; Zulobi Mamadfozilov, Senior Education, AKF; Qarakhon Chillayev, Mayor of Sarband; Ministry (TBC), school teachers, parents and children participated in the ceremony.
The USAID project helps the Government of Tajikistan strengthen early childhood development in 246 villages, in eight districts of Khatlon: Jilikul, Qumsangir, Rumi, Yovon, Vakhsh, Sarband, Muminobod and Khovaling, and 3 districts in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO): Rushan, Roshtqala, Ishkashim.
Ms. McDonald noted, “For more than ten years, the U.S. Government has been an active partner of the Government of Tajikistan in education providing valuable assistance that improves the teaching and learning occurring in the classroom. USAID/AKF in partnership with the government will benefit from these materials and that parents and communities continue to play a supportive role boosting children’s learning potential simply by making books a regular part of their lives.”
Mr. Mamadfozilov noted that “Reading for Children is one of the AKF’s initiatives to support the government to help all children enjoy reading, and encourage parents and communities to play a supportive role in the education of their youth.”
