Volunteer with VSO Tajikistan!

 We are looking for:

• Young males or females who must be between the ages of 18 – 25;
• Motivated, enthusiastic and opening to learning;
• Open to learn in a new cultures and to share own their culture;
• Good communication and problem solving skills;
• Determination and resilience in the face of challenges;
• Full time commitment for the duration of the placement from the June 22nd to September 22nd 2013;
• Able to attend selection and training in Dushanbe before the programme starts (date to be confirmed);
• Basic English as a minimum

Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) is a charitable organization that works in 32 countries around the globe. In Tajikistan, VSO works through volunteers to build the capacity of local partner organizations in various areas, such as tourism, business, marketing and social work.

VSO in Tajikistan is implementing the third cycle of the International Citizenship Service (ICS) programme in Tajikistan. ICS is supported by DfID and championed by the British Prime Minister. The programme enables young people to volunteer on community development projects and strengthen co-operation and friendship between UK and other countries, including Tajikistan and Afghanistan. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop new skills, make new friends from the UK and Afghanistan, and have the experience of a lifetime!

Volunteers must be between the ages of 18 and 25. They will work on a volunteering project, which will develop skills and provide experience that has the potential to increase their employment opportunities and contribute to their communities. VSO Tajikistan is currently recruiting young people from Tajikistan who are open and willing to volunteer in Dushanbe. The volunteers will learn from, and volunteer alongside, their counterparts from UK and possibly Afghanistan. The duration of the programme is three months from June 22, 2013 to September 22, 2013 and volunteers will be based in Dushanbe for the duration.

If you are interested, please email habib.rakhmonov@vsoint.org or contact on (+992) 37 224 2828/2245054 with your contact details to request an application form.
The deadline for submitting your full application form is June 10, 2013. Late applications will not be considered.

Only in Tajikistan: Silk Road Heritage festival with the real Camel.

 

With over 1,000 visitors, Saturday October 6 saw the first “Rangorang” Silk Road Heritage festival spring to life in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

The event was the culmination of 3 months work by 18 ICS volunteers. “Rangorang” means multicoloured in Tajiki and so was an appropriate name for this diverse and inclusive festival. There were various performances by singing groups, disabled students with young music school kids and children from an art school that offers free extra-curricular lessons to gifted children from all backgrounds. These groups shared the platform with popular dancing groups of Tajikistan.  The puppet show was not left unattended by many excited visitors as well.
 

The craft seller’s bazaar in the festival offered economic opportunities for marginalised groups. The “Caravan of Hope”came to sell handicrafts and jewellery created by women who have suffered domestic abuse to help fund refuges; there were paintings for sale from young orphan artists.  Those craftsmen who took part in such an event for the first time were invited to join the crafts exhibitions in the future.  Handmade bags from genuine leather with national ornaments, embroidered souvenirs, beautiful pottery, handmade fabric, traditional costumes and many other things were being sold.  Fresh fruits and candy floss as well as 20 % discount in local restaurant was offered for participants only in this day.

 

The festival was organised in partnership with the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Service that trains young people to work in the tourism industry of Tajikistan. It was significant that the festival was marketed to the young people of this University and that many students attended as the festival represents a new concept for Tajikistan. Other partners that supported the creation of the festival were the City of Dushanbe, The Tajik Association for the Tourism Organisations (TATO) and the Committee for Youth Sport and Tourism. The event clearly illustrated what can be achieved through the energy and enthusiasm of young volunteers.  Lochin Fayzulloev, Vice Minister for Toursim in Tajikistan commented that the “Tajik people are beginning to understand what volunteering is” and DilshodAlimov, Executive Director of TATO said “it is a pleasure to see the young volunteers’ eyes shining”.

With well over 1,000 members of the public attending, including many expatriates, and even a camel, this first year of the “Rangorang” festival and the ICS project in Tajikistan can be seen as a great success.  The hope of everyone involved is that this success can be built upon to provide even more opportunities to the people of Tajikistan.  It is also a great volunteering experience for Tajik young volunteers and many organizations expressed their interest in further cooperation.