DUSHANBE, April 26, 2011, Asia-Plus – On April 25, Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR Japan) hosted the opening ceremony to commemorate the completion of the multifunctional barrier-free center. The ceremony took place at the National Union of Persons with Disabilities of Tajikistan in Dushanbe in the presence of Mr. Yoshihiro Nakayama, Charge d”Affairs of the Embassy of Japan in Dushanbe.
According to AAR Japan, the project to support persons with disabilities (PWDs) through capacity development of National Union of PWDs of Tajikistan was launched by AAR Japan on December 6, 2010, in cooperation with the Government of Japan and National Union of PWDs of Tajikistan and Society of PWDs of Dushanbe (National Union). The Government of Japan funds the project with a total of 356,131 U.S. dollars. The project is also supported by donations from the general public of Japan.
First activity was the renovation of the facilities of National Union. The existing storage room was renovated into multifunctional barrier-free center for PWDs to be used for vocational trainings, meetings, displaying products made by PWDs, and for other activities for PWDs. The greenhouse was also renovated to be used for vocational training. Second, AAR Japan and the National Union will implement four-month vocational trainings (sewing, cooking and gardening training), social welfare seminars and displaying products for PWDs and their family members to improve their life and to promote their social participation in the community.
Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR JAPAN) has been implementing assistance projects in Tajikistan since 2001, providing emergency assistance and supporting persons with disabilities.
Association for Aid and Relief, Japan is a non-governmental organization aiming to provide emergency assistance, assistance to people with disabilities, mine action and assistance to HIV/AIDS. It was established in 1979 as an organization with no political, ideological, or religious affiliation. AAR Japan is currently operating in fourteen countries.
