Spirit of Service: Canada-Tajikistan Synergy – Focus on Literacy Development Foundation (FLDFoundation) “Children First”

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, very little attention has been paid to pre-primary education in Tajikistan. On account of this collapse, an already tight national education budget has further been reduced, the result of which has mainly affected teachers and the development of teaching and learning resources for the pre-primary grades. A national strategic document for Early Chidlhood Program in Tajikistan for 2006-2010 was ratified, but very few significant changes have impacted the sector.

This is when FLDFoundation stepped in to fill the gaping void for the addressing the needs of ECD for the Tajik jamat and the communities around them.

Focus on Literacy Development Foundation (FLDFoundation) was established in September, 2010 as a Not for Profit Organization under the Alberta Societies Act.

Currently, there are eight Directors on the Foundation. Two of our Directors are from Tajikistan, Central Asia.

Plaque commemorating the foundation ceremony.
Plaque commemorating the foundation ceremony.

In 2010, FLDF personally researched findings on the state of Early Childhood Development Centers for children from 3 – 6 years of age in Tajikistan. The results of the findings caught their attention. Only 9% of the children 3-6 years of age had access to education in the remote villages of Tajikistan. Although there were Community-based ECD’s, they faced problems of sustainability due to lack of Government funding, resulting in a lack of educational and teaching materials which in turn affected teacher retention.

Map of Tajikistan
Map of Tajikistan

In August of 2011, FLDF committed to establishing the first Purpose built ECD Centre in Khidorjev village in Rashtqala District in Gorno Badakshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO). GBAO is a province of Tajikistan. We are pleased to announce that this school opened its doors on November 13, 2012 and has been operational since then. 120 families in the village have been impacted through their children having access to learning opportunities in Khidorjev.

In 2011, FLDF in collaboration with the Institute of Professional Development (IPD) and AKF Tajikistan, discussed the possibility of the establishment of a Purpose-Built ECD (PBECD) Center in the village of Khidorjev in Rashtqala District. The school formally opened in November, 2012. The Royal Bank of Canada donated funds towards a clean water supply in Khidorjev.

Our current projects include rehabilitation of 8 ECD classrooms within Government Schools. The 8 ECDs that were projected to be fully operational at the end of January, 2013 were actually operational in the month of December 2012.

The FLDF is building resources for water pumps in the villages with ECDs for safe and clean drinking water.

FLDF is now working on a third proposal with Aga Khan Foundation Tajikistan to rehabilitate 18 spaces in various villages to create ECD Centers for children 3-6 years old in those villages.

Via FLDFoundation

ECD Module 1 Training – 2012. This training is provided by professional ECD Methodologists/Specialists of the Institute for Professional Development (IPD) whose capacity is basically built by AKF Education Program through sending them to other countries to learn about the ECD, inviting professional ECD Consultants and Trainers from other countries and from other AKDN Agencies working with the ECD Program.
ECD Class
ECD class in action.

About FLDFoundation

Focus on Literacy Development Foundation (FLDFoundation) was established in September, 2010 as a Not for Profit Organization under the Alberta Societies Act.

Currently, there are eight Directors on the Foundation. Two of our Directors are from Tajikistan, Central Asia.

Khidorjev, November 13, 2012. Official opening of the Khidorjev ECDC (ribbon cutting). many parents, teachers, elder students, guests and representatives from the GBAO/Regional and Roshtqala District Government participated in this ceremony.
Khidorjev, November 13, 2012. Official opening of the Khidorjev ECDC (ribbon cutting). many parents, teachers, elder students, guests and representatives from the GBAO/Regional and Roshtqala District Government participated in this ceremony.

Mission Statement

The development of Early Childhood Educational Centers, learning and teaching resources and the well-being of the communities in the respective villages of Gorno Badakshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO).

Vision

Establishing Early Childhood Education Centers One Village at a Time.

Core Values

We believe we can make a difference.
We value the access to good education for early learners.
We value open and transparent communication amongst all partners.
We value integrity and accountability.
We value teacher excellence.
We value diversity and support the development of children from diverse cultures.

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Plaque commemorating the foundation ceremony. Spirit of Service: Canada-Tajikistan Synergy – Focus on Literacy Development Foundation (FLDFoundation) “Children First”
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