AG A K H A N FOUNDAT ION TAJIKISTAN | ANNUAL REPORT 2017
Contents
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Introduction
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Geographic Focus
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Integrated Development
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Civil Society
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Economic Inclusion
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Agriculture & Food Security
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Water
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Health and Nutrition
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Early Childhood Development
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Education
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Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning
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Financial Statement
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Thanks to our Partners
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AGA KHAN FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2017
Aga Khan Foundation Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, is a private, not-for-profit, non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan. Working in 19 countries, with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous, coastal and other resource-poor areas, AKF seeks to provide sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy and ill-health in the poorest parts of South and Central Asia, Eastern and Western Africa, and the Middle East. Its activities are coordinated not only with those of other AKDN agencies but also with local, national and international partners in order to bring together activities that can spark a long-term process of positive change.
Aga Khan Development Network Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a group of 10 private non-denominational development agencies with mandates that include habitat, health, education, architecture, culture, microfinance, rural development, disaster reduction, the promotion of private-sector enterprise and the revitalisation of historic cities. AKDN agencies conduct their programmes without regard to faith or origin and have over five decades of experience supporting integrated economic, social and cultural development.
INTRODUCTION
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Message from the CEO Dear Partners and Friends, It is my pleasure to share with you the 2017 Annual Report for the Aga Khan Foundation Tajikistan. This year marked the commencement of His Highness the Aga Khan’s Diamond Jubilee, commemorating 60 years of leadership. His Highness announced AKDN’s continued commitment to global partnerships and poverty alleviation, reinforcing work we are undertaking towards Tajikistan’s socio-economic development. This year also marks the celebration of Tajikistan’s 25th anniversary as an independent republic, and the significant strides it has made in spite of adversity in its early years. Noteworthy achievements include around-the-clock electricity, greater food security, and regional connections to preserve peace, stability and prosperity across the country. Recent improvements have enabled the country to endure a particularly challenging economic climate with positive signs of growth emerging towards the end of the year. Our experiences over the past two decades of close cooperation with rural communities through support for near 2,000 village organisations has empowered women, men and youth to participate in local decisionmaking. These groups are progressively addressing more of their local development needs, which aligns well with national and global development priorities, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals. An important step towards growing collaboration and unlocking the potential of community-based organisations was a Parliamentary Committee hearing on the Role of Civil Society in Realising the Goals of the National Development Strategy for 2015-2030. Through this forum, leaders from civil society and senior government officials engaged in lively and constructive dialogue on opportunities. Collective reflections on AKF’s goals and strategic approaches triggered a new global programme framework to ensure we continue to deliver globally informed and locally rooted development solutions across six themes: agriculture and food security, economic inclusion, education, early childhood development, health and nutrition, and civil society. We have made considerable progress in these areas over the past year, which would not have been possible without the generous and steadfast support of our partners. I would like to extend my immense gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, as well as donor organisations and the development community. I continue to look forward to deepening our collaboration in supporting vibrant, sustainable and inclusive development in the years to come.
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AGA KHAN FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2017
AKF in Tajikistan AKF began activities in Tajikistan in 1993, when it mounted a humanitarian response to acute food shortages in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO), as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union and subsequent civil war. Since then, the foundation has become a leader in implementing high-quality projects characterised by its hallmark long-term commitment and community-driven approach. AKF is positioned as one of the country’s most trusted and effective socio-economic development partners. In 1997, AKF established the Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP) to address rural development challenges in Tajikistan. MSDSP has since evolved into the most respected and effective local non-governmental organisation in the country. AKF’s programmes cover a broad geographical area encompassing 36 districts in all four regions – GBAO, Khatlon, Districts of Republican Subordination (Rasht Valley) and Sughd – reaching approximately 1.9 million people. This work is situated within agriculture and food security, economic inclusion, civil society, health and nutrition, early childhood development and education themes. The foundation’s main goals are: building economic opportunities and employment; strengthening civil society institutions; promoting sustainable natural resource management; and developing and investing in social services sustained by communities, local civil society institutions and the government. Additionally,
the importance of developing areas bordering Afghanistan and the Kyrgyz Republic has been underpinned by opportunities to contribute to regional peace, stability and prosperity. Moving forward, a greater emphasis is being placed on supporting youth and other marginalised groups, and enhancing economic opportunities for migrant workers. As part of its long-term commitment, a platform of community-based organisations continues to be the cornerstone of AKF’s implementation approach. This enables communities to mobilise around socio-economic development initiatives through which they are able to identify their developmental priorities, channel local and external resources into priority projects, and cooperate with local government on service delivery. The platform has grown into an expansive network of self-governance structures at the village, subdistrict and district levels such as: savings and producer groups, economic associations, pasture and water management committees, and health and education promoters. Additional investments in the country’s human capital are made through a limited number of annual international scholarships for outstanding students to undertake graduate and postgraduate studies.
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AGA KHAN FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2017
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Integrated Development in Practice along the Tajik-Afghan Border Aga Khan Development Network works across economic, social and cultural sectors to contribute holistically to improvements in the quality of life of communities in which it works. This integrated approach confronts multi-faceted developed challenges by layering interventions across multiple sectors in a given geographic area over a sustained period. AKDN has used this integrated approach for over 20 years in Tajikistan to strengthen civil society and governance, support economic growth and cross-border connectivity, improve enabling infrastructure, promote investment and enhance access to critical health and education services. Gender, environment and youth inclusion cut across each of these themes to ensure robust, inclusive and sustainable impact.
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AGA KHAN FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2017
Integrated Development in Practice Inspired by the Aga Khan Development Network’s (AKDN) integrated development approach, Economic and Social Connections: A Multi-Input Area Development Financing Facility for Tajikistan (2015-2019), co-financed by the AKDN and U.S. Agency for International Development, works across enterprise development, household financial security, governance and civil society, energy, health and education sectors to improve the quality of life for people living along the TajikAfghan border. This collaborative approach draws on the technical expertise of a consortium of AKDN agencies to sustain impact.
Key highlights include: •
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The registration of 90 Mahalla Committees (village organisations) was facilitated, representing nearly 140,000 people engaging in local socio-economic development. 24 of these communities pooled funds to implement small-scale projects and increase access to key agricultural and commercial services, with profits reinvested into village development funds. 4,000 members of community-based savings groups, and 1,100 rural farmer and business clients of micro-loan organisation Rushdi Kuhiston benefited from accessibility to savings and affordable credit. A small and medium business management programme enhanced the skills of 400 aspiring and existing entrepreneurs. Over 30 graduates used developed business plans to secure financing for their start-ups.
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Trainings to 2,900 teachers and management staff on teaching and learning methods has provided quality education to 22,000 students. Over 10,000 Afghans supported with access to quality healthcare delivered by qualified Tajik professionals through a cross-border health programme. A feasibility study on a hydropower project was conducted demonstrating potential to deliver reliable energy for nearly 400,000 Afghans and mitigate vulnerabilities to the energy grid in GBAO. A portion of investments made in Tajik businesses will be channelled into an innovative trust-fund to support ongoing social development.
MULTI INPUT AREA DEVELOPMENT
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Civil Society AKF’s work in civil society aims to increase the competency, accountability and legitimacy of civil society organisations and local governance structures that make up AKF’s community-based institutional platform. The initiative focuses on governance and civic engagement, and organisations and systems.
Key highlights include: •
TJS 1,500,000 mobilised by 90 Mahalla Committees (village organisations) in Khatlon Oblast for village priorities led to TJS 910,000 worth of improvements identified through three-year plans.
Governance and civic engagement supports inclusive social and economic development by building the capacity of civil society organisations on gender, governance, financial management, business planning, project design and management, public and private partnerships and fundraising. Through their own participatory planning and contributions, civil society organisations are ensuring inclusive and responsive service delivery in collaboration with local authorities.
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111 youth (47% female) participated in a youth forum in Sughd to discuss ways to harness digital technologies to strengthen cooperation between village organisations and local government.
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With AKF support local authorities and civil society organisations jointly prepared oblast and district development plans, with AKF support to guide the identification, design and implementation of over 100 projects across GBAO through 2020.
X,XXX Water user associations / committees XX, XXX Economic associations
76 Community emergency response teams
1,700 Mahalla Committees
XX,XXX Technology, pasture and land use groups
1,900 community health promoters
(village organisations) 2,600 Community based savings groups
155 Community based health financing schemes
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AGA KHAN FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2017
Strengthening the enabling environment through cross-sector dialogue
Organizations and systems were enhanced through 20 multi-faceted organisational capacity assessments piloted to help community-based organisations and local governance bodies to measure capacity, prioritise organisational challenges and implement improvement strategies. Complementary blended learning modules build upon traditional in-person trainings using multi-media resources.
In 2017, Aga Khan Foundation supported a first ever Parliamentary Committee Hearing focussed on the role of civil society in realising goals of the National Development Strategy of Tajikistan for 2015-2030, and related UN Sustainable Development Goals. Representatives of 35 civil society organisations joined the Minister of Justice, Secretary of the Public Coordination Council, State Tax Committee and State Statistical Agency officials, and international donors in dialogue on key issues raised during civil society consultations in the preceding months. Recommendations and the need to plan follow-up meetings in 2018 were captured in an official karor (decree). Recommendations included:
Key highlights include: • •
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15 Mahalla Committees (village organisations) in Sughd, two associations of village organisations, and also two water user associations in GBAO developed plans based on their strengths and weaknesses to deliver their mandate AKF’s and its Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP) organised a session to assess the systems, activities, partnerships, adaptability and culture of its regional office in GBAO from which an institutional strengthening plan developed
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Examine financial dependency, taxation of non-commercial organisations and zerobalance reporting Grow the capacity and visibility of civil society organisations Include civil society organisations in government project implementation, working groups, commissions and policy discussions Organise joint annual meetings of government and civil society organisations Develop and adopt a ‘National Framework for Civil Society Development’
Pilots of two blended learning modules on monitoring and evaluation and community mobilisation were launched with trainings of AKF partners to meet needs expressed by community-based organisations and regional staff.
CIVIL SOCIETY
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Economic Inclusion Inclusive market development is providing smallscale producers and enterprises the opportunity to diversify economic activity within and across value chains. 171 small-scale economic associations have been formed to bring together producers engaged in like activities to improve their purchasing power, marketing and expertise to improve the quality of their products and command higher prices. Support for lead firms is stabilising demand for local products by connecting market actors within value chains to ensure access to better inputs, technologies and larger markets. Investments in catalytic economic infrastructure and financial and business services for small and medium enterprises are promoting equitable growth, prosperity and social cohesion across Tajikistan and the region.
Key highlights include: •
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AGA KHAN FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2017
Growing opportunities around farm livelihoods, small and medium enterprises, employable skills, public and social infrastructure and natural resource management created over 1,500 jobs across the country 1,100 kilograms of cashgora wool valued at $20,000 was sold by Tajik farmers to smallscale agro-processors in Afghanistan for dehairing. The de-haired wool was then resold to women’s hand-spinning groups in Tajikistan, which earned $46,400 from exporting the luxury yarn to the United States. Products are available at www.cashmerepeople.com, www.peacefleece.com, and www.fancytigercrafts.com Cross-border bridges and markets constructed by AKDN have enhanced connectivity between Tajikistan and Afghanistan and improved livelihoods by generating over $3.5 million in turnover to-date
Financial Inclusion
Tourism
Access to basic financial services targeting rural and remote communities has expanded financial literacy and the availability of savings and credit services. Over 2,600 community-based savings groups established to-date are pooling the assets of an estimated 52,000 members, 80% of which are women.
The 2017 International Year for Sustainable Tourism saw AKF continuing its support for tourism sector development to unlock its potential as a driver of poverty alleviation. AKF worked in partnership with the Pamirs Eco-Cultural Tourism Association (PECTA) to build the capacity of its members to deliver quality services to tourists, while engaging in international promotions and domestic advocacy for improvements to the enabling environment for tourism. Skills development of tour operators and Tajikistan National Park staff, handicraft promotion, as well as homestay facility improvements responded to needs-based requests from stakeholders. Pamir Express & Logistics, a lead firm concept aiming to improve tourism infrastructure, served international tourists travelling to the Pamir Mountains with information, high quality fare, and locally produced souvenirs through new Pamir Welcome Centres in Darvaz and Murghab.
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In 2017, 200 savings groups in Khatlon accumulated TJS 1,290,000 in savings with members drawing TJS 890,000 in loans and receiving over 8% in returns. This platform assisted members to grow income-generating activities and manage household expenses.
Additionally, to provide suitable loan options for borrowers in rural and remote areas, micro-loan organisation Rushdi Kuhiston received support to build its human and physical capacity in order to optimize services across 12 outlets.
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1,100 loans were disbursed, including to 331 women clients, bringing the total number of active clients to 1,200 with an outstanding loan portfolio of TJS 3.9 million.
To explore the potential for mobile financial services, a 12-month pilot was launched in partnership with Pamir Energy in 14 villages across GBAO facilitating the payment of electricity bills at village organisation offices. Over 4,500 visits to collection points resulted in the majority of payees citing interest in using additional services including loan repayments, mobile top-ups and bank transfers and withdrawals.
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PECTA nomination of the Pamir Mountains to Sustainable Destinations Global Top 100 resulted in the destination’s inclusion on the list for the third time since 2014. Pamir Welcome Centres in Darvaz and Murghab welcomed over 730 visitors, 80% of which were foreigners. 132 homestays hosted over 2,000 visitors and sustained 330 seasonal jobs. PECTA and government officials jointly promoted Tajikistan as a destination of choice at ITB Berlin – Europe’s largest tourism fair. Visit PECTA’s website at: http://www.visitpamirs.com
ECONOMIC INCLUSION
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Agriculture & Food Security Locally adapted interventions in agriculture and sustainable natural resource management are contributing to better household nutrition and food security, while supporting farmers to adapt to climate change, realise greater economic opportunities and mitigate risks in disaster-prone areas. This is taking place through increased access to high-quality inputs, energy-efficient technologies, and quality extension services in addition to investments in enabling rural infrastructure through partnering with local governments and village organisations. Local research institutions and best practices are used to inform the provision of technical and advisory support to communitybased natural resource management groups responsible for the sustainable use of water, pastures, forests and arable land. Key highlights include: • 198,000 farmers across Tajikistan were supported with access to new technologies and best practices in sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. • 288 tradespeople in Rasht Valley and Sughd were trained on environmentally sound technologies and business planning to
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AGA KHAN FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2017
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stimulate demand for thermal insulation and energy-efficient cook stoves. 35 rural infrastructure projects including the construction and renovation of roads, bridges, irrigation systems, greenhouses, mills, service centres and markets reached over 90,600 people in GBAO, Rasht Valley, Khatlon and Sughd. 49 communities in Rasht Valley improved their natural resource management and climate change adaptation measures through riverbank stabilisation, terrace construction and tree and garden planting to mitigate soil erosion and minimise disaster risks. 172 households in Wakhan Valley, GBAO were trained and received, potato and wheat seeds and fertilizers on credit. Save for 19 ultra-poor exempt from loan repayment, households repaid their loans with a 10% surplus. Seeds are kept in a revolving fund for their use during the next planting season. Two innovative approaches were launched in Sughd and Rasht Valley around integrated watershed management to demonstrate the impact of intensifying activities within focus catchment areas.
AGRICULTURE & FOOD SECURITY
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Promoting Sustainable and Equitable Water Use for Future Generations In preparation for the launch of the United Nation’s International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028, Aga Khan Foundation and its partners are intensifying activities in sustainable water management across Tajikistan. This includes investments in water, sanitation and hygiene and enabling rural infrastructure to improve households’ health status, enhance food security and nutrition, and equip communities to respond to climate change. Water user committees and associations have been strengthened to ensure inclusive operation and maintenance of this infrastructure. To ensure continued proper water usage and practices, community health promoters, health workers, and agricultural service providers promote sustained behaviour change.
Key highlights include: •
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AGA KHAN FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2017
Partnerships with over 100 local firms, village organisations and community groups enabled the implementation of 440 infrastructure projects, including drinking water supply systems, boreholes, and private and public latrines benefitting 36,000 people across Tajikistan’s four regions. Improvements to irrigation canals restored over 2,150 hectares of farmland to benefit over 97,000 people in Sughd Region, and the reconstruction of a dam mitigate the risk of dangerous mudslides for the same communities. Strong government and community relations led to a jointly financed drinking water-pump, improving access to clean drinking water for 6,200 people in Sughd Region. Construction of a mini-hydropower plant to bring clean, reliable energy to 136 households in some of the country’s most remote villages of Bartang Valley, GBAO.
Inspired by Aga Khan Development Network’s (AKDN) integrated development approach, Integrated Health and Habitat Improvement, Rasht Valley, Tajikistan Phase I (2014-2017) & Phase II (2018-2021), co-financed by the AKDN and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, is improving social infrastructure development and supporting communities to improve their health status and habitats. An integrated watershed management approach is fostering the active engagement of communities in participatory planning processes to: improve access to safe and sustainable water for drinking, hygiene and sanitation; mitigate the risk natural hazards; and, improve natural resource management for resilience and climate change adaptation. This collaborative approach draws on the technical expertise and experience of a consortium of AKDN agencies to sustain impact. • • • •
Households with direct access to safe drinking water increased from 70% to 89%. Diarrhoea prevalence among children of 0-23 months decreased from 46% to 28%. Communities taking sound measures to mitigate natural hazard risks at household and community levels increased from 13% to 44%. Women and youth contributing to the environmental protection of their communities increased from 18% to 76%.
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We often experienced tensions between our households and communities’ due to shortages of irrigation water until we cleaned the canal. There were even tensions among my own relatives. The cleaning and installation of watergates improved access to the irrigation water and increased the spirit of cooperation. Now we irrigate our lands according to a water schedule with renewed optimism.
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Roziya Nabieva, a member of a water user association in Sughd describing the challenges her community faced due to neglected water infrastructure. AKF’s support in cooperation with local government improved irrigation for 3,800 hectares of agricultural in Tajikistan, and 600 hectares in neighbouring Qarabagh, Kyrgyzstan.
WATER
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Health Holistic community health interventions are focused on improving the quality of health services and information in rural areas. Infrastructural upgrades, including construction, equipment and methodological support have improved 275 primary healthcare facilities since 2014, and increased access to improved healthcare services for 500,000 individuals across GBAO, Rasht Valley, and Muminabad, Khovaling and Shamsiddin Shohin Districts of Khatlon. Access to improved healthcare services increased to reach:
79%
67%
54%
GBAO 170,000 of 216,000 people
targeted districts in Khatlon 133,000 of 202,000 people
Rasht Valley 193,000 of 360,000 people
Clinical Excellence Centres are promoting continuous professional development and encouraging health professionals to measure clinical outcomes against evidence-based protocols and standards through an innovative clinical audit approach. Efforts with government partners are seeking to standardise clinical audits across Tajikistan.
The virtual eHealth platform continues to improve service delivery and develop the capacity of healthcare providers by using the internet to connect health facilities, knowledge and expertise. Permanent connectivity has been established between Khorog Oblast General Hospital and spoke sites in three district hospitals of GBAO, three Comprehensive Health Clinics, and the Faizabad Provincial Hospital in Badakhshan, Afghanistan, and the Post-Graduate Medical Institute in Dushanbe.
706 tele-consultations and 497 storeand-forward consultations enabled specialists to receive second opinions and guidance on challenging medical cases
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AGA KHAN FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2017
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986 eLearning sessions enabled health specialists to access information on best practices without interrupting their work in hospitals and clinics
A network of 1,900 Community Health Promoters are improving knowledge within communities on early childhood development, safe motherhood, newborn care, immunisation, nutrition, and water, sanitation and hygiene, while stimulating health service demand with the referral of over 215,000 community members to primary healthcare facilities.
Community-Based Health Financing is insulating vulnerable households from health expenditure shocks by working through village organisations to pool community resources. To-date, 155 schemes covering 50,000 people in five districts of GBAO have accumulated over TJS 1,400,000. A 2017 pilot connected ten village organisations from Rushan District to Khorog Diagnostic Centre allowing scheme members to access diagnostic services at a discount. Villages have also partnered with Khorog Regional Diagnostic Unit and improved primary healthcare centres to conduct breast cancer screening campaigns.
A pharmaceutical program is ensuring the availability of 228 essential medicines in 199 rural primary health centres and dispensaries across GBAO. The programme is 100% self-sustaining and covers costs associated with supply, transportation and storage. A cross-border health programme is leveraging regional connections to provide access to quality healthcare in GBAO and Eastern Khatlon for neighbouring Afghan patients. The programme has enabled 120 routine and emergency visits by Tajik health professionals to Badakshan, Afghanistan to treat 3,300 Afghan patients, as well as cross 100 Afghan patients into Tajikistan for more sophisticated secondary and tertiary care.
Delivering in Isolation Khalia is a nurse working in an upgraded primary health centre in Modiyon village of Murghab District – one of the most remote villages in Tajikistan. At an altitude of 3,800 meters, an average winter in Modiyon is between -40⁰C and -50⁰C. When a particularly heavy snowfall blocked the main road and prevented her pregnant patient from reaching a larger healthcare facility to give birth, there was no option but to deliver the baby at the AKHS-support primary healthcare centre. Although Khalia had never delivered a baby before she felt confident taking matters into her own hands, equipped with the skills and knowledge from her six-month training programme. Under Khalia’s leadership, she and her colleagues successfully delivered a healthy baby girl weighing 2.8 kilograms.
HEALTH
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Early Childhood Development Early childhood development (ECD) plays a pivotal role in the cognitive, social, emotional and physical development of young children. The early years of a child’s life provide the foundation for life-long skills development and learning. Investments during these years are essential to developing healthy learners who will become active problem solvers and socially responsible citizens that break cycles of poverty. The ECD programme provides access to quality early learning opportunities for the holistic development of children under 7 years. Aga Khan Foundation continues to innovate through its affordable, gender-sensitive school and community-based ECD model endorsed by UNICEF and the Ministry of Education and Sciences for national replication.
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AGA KHAN FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2017
Strengthening Institutions Institutions offering pre- and in-service professional development to ECD educators are supported with the development of organisational strategies and adoption of model classrooms and quality assurance tools, while assisting with training curricula, modules and capacity building.
An additional 30 AKF-supported centres were established
232
Bringing the total to 232 centres providing early learning opportunities Opportunities for 5,000 children of 3-6 years old.
ECD support groups were established in 63 communities to organise caregivers to support operations, mobilise community funds, provide nutritious snacks, ensure clean learning environments and expand access to ECD opportunities to the most marginalised households.
Engaging Parents, Caregivers and Communities. Caregivers are supported to build knowledge, skills and confidence. This includes supporting mothers and adolescent girls to access pre- and post-natal care, and develop health, nutrition, communication, play and other skills, and training communities to reinforce positive behaviours in homes, libraries, schools and health facilities. Media and technology innovations are used to support parents, caregivers and strong national policy by demonstrating improvements to children’s learning outcomes.
400 ECD teachers were trained and mentored in creating conducive early learning environments in ECD centres and government kindergartens for holistic child development.
Transforming ECD professionals The ECD workforce is professionalised by helping ECD professionals with academic and career pathways, developing contextuallyrelevant and gender-sensitive pre-service and in-service teacher development courses and offering quality training, mentoring and supervision for staff.
71 Care for Childhood Development trainers and 636 community health promoters were trained as counsellors to disseminate knowledge and ensure on-going guidance to caregivers in over 2,600 households.
A 2016 study found that grade one children graduating from ECD centres significantly outperformed their peers in learning outcomes and demonstrated greater social and emotional development.
Care for Childhood Development Care for Childhood Development promotes the healthy physical, cognitive, emotional and social functions of children under 3 years, based on the best available evidence on child development. The approach supports families by promoting the development of young children through health services, health workers, community promoters and other front-line actors working with families and young children.
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
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Education Primary and secondary education activities support academic achievement, competency and social development, and cultivate a culture of life-long learning in young people that contributes to a generation of innovative, socially responsible citizens. A holistic needs-based approach strengthens teaching and learning methodologies and creates a learning environment conducive to the practical application of new ideas.
1,000 key-teacher trainers provide professional development and methodological support for teachers in their localities, and methodological guides developed and distributed to teachers in 114 schools in GBAO and Eastern Khatlon serve as reference points for innovative delivery. This approach mainstreamed interactive instructional methods in two regional In-service Teacher Training Institutes in both oblasts.
In 2017, more than 2,900 primary and secondary school teachers were trained and mentored on the application of gender-responsive interactive instructional methods and learning processes in 114 schools across GBAO and Eastern Khatlon, to reach over 264,000 students. Through a hub and spoke peer-support model, ongoing mentorship occurs within a decentralised network of teachers allowing for best pedagogical practices to be continuously exchanged and tailored to local contexts.
Recognising the importance of inclusive support systems within schools and communities, 350 school managers were trained and mentored in participatory management to strengthen schoolbased professional development and community involvement in schools. Increased collaboration fostered between schools and parent committees in 41 strategically-supported core schools in GBAO is encouraging parents and communities to take an active role in children’s education, in and out the classroom.
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AGA KHAN FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2017
AKF International Scholarship Programme AKF provides a limited number of graduate and postgraduate scholarships each year to outstanding students from Tajikistan who have no other means of financing their studies. The programme helps develop scholars and leaders, and prepares them for employment.
Meanwhile, 41 newly established and strengthened student councils instil diverse competencies among secondary students through extracurricular activities promoting leadership, critical thinking, teamwork and problem-based learning. Support provided to grow resources available to core schools is enabling problem-based learning
Scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant and 50% loan basis through an annual competitive application process starting early each year. Priority is given to requests for Master’s level courses, but PhD programmes are also considered for outstanding students. AKF Tajikistan has provided 93 scholarships to-date, with 42 female recipients.
opportunities and boosting learning achievements and skills developed required for students to pursue quality tertiary opportunities. This includes a digital learning resource platform in the IT lab of all 41 cores schools, 10 of which also have science, language, geography and mathematics labs.
“Throughout twenty years of teaching experience I paid little attention to the range of competencies that exist and graded students by their knowledge of course content. I had many students with diverse abilities – playing music, drawing, role-playing, and technical skills – but I didn’t pay attention to these. As a result, these skills remained overlooked and underutilised. After going through the relevance pedagogy strategies introduced by AKF I began to understand that were only assessing one kind of intelligence. Thinking back, if we related classroom experiences to everyday life and paid attention to different skillsets, then all students would have been bound to lead successful lives.” Primary Teacher, Darvaz District
A Life-long Learning Continuum
TERTIARY EDUCATION LIFE LONG LEARNING
The Aga Khan Development network supports continuous, life-long leaning through interventions
SECONDARY EDUCATION
starting with care for child development, early childhood development, primary and secondary
PRIMARY EDUCATION
education, tertiary education and continuing education, including vocational training opportunities.
ECD
EDUCATION
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Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning supports programmatic activities with evaluations, surveys, programme assessments and research studies to demonstrate impact and enable continuous learning. Key Achievements in 2017
Health and Nutrition End-line Assessment This assessment established end-line data on the nutritional and health status of populations residing in GBAO, including Khorog, and three districts in Eastern Khatlon. The survey collected information on fertility levels, marriage status, family planning methods, breastfeeding practices, nutrition, and maternal and child health.
Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation Baseline Assessments This assessment examined perceptions, satisfaction and current practices related to water, hygiene and sanitation practices by community members and school children in GBAO and Baljuvan, Khovaling, Shamsiddin Shohin districts of Khatlon. This
included perceptions of ownership over service delivery and responsibilities of women and youth in water management committees and associations.
Integrated Health and Habitat End-line Survey The end-line survey collected information from 1,200 households in Rasht Valley on a range of activities: participatory governance, access to health services, drinking water and sanitation facilities, improved sanitation and hygiene practices, watershed management, disaster risk reduction and natural resource management practices.
Reflection, solutions and coordination (RSC) sessions are a learning innovation conceived to support AKF and its implementing partners to routinely explore effectiveness, opportunities, complex problems and integration. These one- to two-day sessions convene stakeholders in a structured yet flexible environment conducive to collective reflection. Findings from case studies, group work and facilitated discussions are captured in reports to guide future actions. In 2017, RSC sessions examined untapped opportunities revolving around Mahalla Committees (village organisations) in Khatlon, lead firm support, and enhancing skills development of aspiring and existing entrepreneurs. In 2018, Aga Khan Foundation envisions facilitating sessions on topics ranging from integrated watershed management, to water, sanitation and hygiene, and food security and nutrition.
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AGA KHAN FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2017
Financial Statement Balance Sheet
2017 (USD ‘000)
2016 (USD ‘000)
Assets Property and equipment
1,775
1,814
Investments
499
499
Cash and bank balances
14,811
12,965
Advances, receivables and prepayments
1,205
1,140
Total Assets
18,290
16,417
15,704
14,032
Fund balance
2,385
2,462
Total Liabilities and Fund Balance
18,089
16,493
Liabilities and Funds Balance Payables and liabilities Liabilities
Income and Expenditure
2017 (USD ‘000)
2016 (USD ‘000)
Income Grants and donations
13,394
12,786
Income from properties
216
232
Other income
106
(23)
Total Income
13,715
12,995
Program grants
10,025
10,033
Administration
1,578
1,632
Properties
1,889
1,229
Other expenses
22
177
Total Expenditure
13,514
13,071
Excess of income over expenses
201
(76)
Expenditure
25
Thanks to Our Partners in 2017 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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Government of Republic of Tajikistan Aga Khan Agency for Habitat Aga Khan Education Services Aga Khan Health Services Agence d’Aide à la Coopération Technique Et au Développement (ACTED) Australian Embassy Moscow Cooperative Sarob CAMP Kuhiston Department for International Development Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Embassy of Japan in Tajikistan European Commission First MicroFinance Bank Tajikistan Global Affairs Canada Institute for Professional Development in Education Johnson & Johnson Corporate Citizenship Trust KfW Development Bank Micro-loan Organisation Rushdi Kuhiston Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland Pakistan Afghanistan Tajikistan Regional Integration Programme (PATRIP) Pamir Energy Pamirs Eco-cultural Tourism Association Serena Hotel Dushanbe Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation TCell The Christensen Fund United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) United States Agency for International Development United States Embassy in Tajikistan University of Central Asia World Bank Private Donors
AGA KHAN FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2017
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Contact Information Aga Khan Foudation Tajikistan 137 Rudaki Avenue Tojikmatlubot, 4th Floor 734003 Dushanbe, Tajikistan Tel: +992 37 2247650/2218001 Website: www.akdn.org/akf Aga Khan Development Network 734003 Dushanbe Tajikistan Tel: +992 37 2246500