Change of Attitude 

Citizens of the community Korez in the Dangara district suffered for a long time due to the lack of 

drinking water. The water was delivered by trucks and was sold for a high price. Those who were not 

able to buy pure water had to drink dirty and salty water from the nearest canal, resulting in the spread 

of infectious diseases.  Community citizens didn't feel responsibile for their health and were not 

inclined to solve the problem with their own resources. The NGO Khairhoh, frequent participants in 

Counterpart activities, conducted PCA exercises in the community. As a result, community leaders 

developed an action plan and proposal to address the water problem. The project was submitted to 

Counterpart's Healthy Communities program and received funding. 

Land Is Highlanders' Wealth 

The Badjuv community is located in 50 km from Khorog and 30 km from Rushan and stands 3,800 

meters above the sea level. Geographical considerations and severe weather affect the quality of life 

of the local population. Because of the remoteness of the community it is often overlooked by 

governmental and international organizations. One specific problem identified by community 

members is the lack of sowing lands. With assistance from the Khorog CSSC, community leaders 

developed a proposal to construct an irrigation canal which received funding from the UN WFP. 

Construction of the canal promoted the processing of new sowing lands   36 hectares where citizens 

can sow grain and supply themselves with bread to feed 40% of the population. Irrigation of new 

lands also promoted the development of raising livestock.  

From Dependence to Self Reliance 

The consequences of the civil war in Tajikistan still affect many citizens, with the low level of 

education, increased unemployment and other social and economic problems. Among vulnerable 

groups there is an increasing dependency on humanitarian aid. One of the main goals of the Dushanbe 

CSSC over the past year has been to provide consulting, information, and technical assistance to 

develop proposals to help communities address their own needs themselves. The Dushanbe CSSC 

assisted in the implementation of 10 projects in Dushanbe area, benefiting 6,125 people. As a result 

the CSSC's goal was achieved   people united to solve common problems (gas, water provision, 

electricity, and renovation of schools and medical centers). Communities gained knowledge and skills 

to write proposals, mobilize resources, interact with stakeholders, and use traditional forms of work. 

They gained the confidence to solve community problems without the traditional reliance on the 

government or humanitarian agencies. 

Success of Mobilization 

While implementing a CAG the NGO Paivand had problems with the diminished level of 

participation of the population. The Kulob CSSC Sharvand organized complementary activities like 

informal meetings with the population and roundtables with different stakeholders to ascertain the 

reason for the low participation. The interventions revealed that the leader of the initiative group 

wasn't a motivator. As a result, he's been replaced with a new leader who is demonstrating strong 

leadership abilities and promoting mobilization. Under new leadership the community not only built a 

road, but also built a playground for youth and children and created a soccer team. 

The bridge has passed the trial 

The breakdown of the bridge in the Galaobod community in the Khatlon Region was the source of 

great frustration for community members. Without the bridge, local community members cannot take 

agricultural products to the market, bring in construction materials or attend school. Members of an 

initiative group trained by the Khurgan Teppa CSSC conducted PCAP exercises and developed a 

proposal which was funded by Counterpart. They mobilized the population, local government and 

other stakeholders to address the issue. Taking into consideration on going rain and mountain 

conditions in Tajikistan, some of the specialists and experts were skeptical about the bridge 

restoration, but the community restored the bridge and passed the trial period and weathered the 

Spring rains. 

8