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Mobilizing Communities, Moving Mountains: The Role of Village Organizations, Tajikistan

"In short, sustainable development is a real possibility, even in the mountain areas that have generated political extremism and the narcotics trade. Nowhere is this truth more clearly manifested than in the notorious Garm region of Tajikistan, home to many of the most radical Islamic groups during the Tajik civil war. Today, the AKDN is working productively in the Garm valley, often with the same people who a few years ago were fighting with the Islamic militants. It is far too early to claim success there, but is not too early to conclude that success is indeed possible..."
Frederick Starr, chairman of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies of The Johns Hopkins University on problems in the Central Asian region that includes Afghanistan, Northern Pakistan and new states that were once republics of the Soviet Union. Source: Testimony on November 2nd, 1999 before Senate Foreign Relation Committee's Subcommittee on Near East and South Asia.

AKF began an emergency humanitarian assistance program in Gorno-Badakhshan in 1992, with the commitment to involve communities in active decision-making. Initially called the Pamir Relief and Development Program, the Mountain Societies Development Support Program (MSDSP) was established in 1993 to monitor the distribution of humanitarian assistance and implement the Agricultural Reform Program. To sustain food security, MSDSP's strategy focused on combining assistance with a longer-term development program in natural resource management, enterprise development, physical infrastructure improvements, and reforms in health and education. Since 1992, MSDSP has continued to foster local community organizations in this mountainous country, by enabling communities to increase their own incomes, manage communal resources, attain food security and thereby, contribute towards the development of civil society.

A cornerstone of MSDSP's approach is the Village Organization Program. Only a few years ago, all major decisions in Tajikistan 's provinces and districts were made by the state. In an environment where top-down decision-making used to be the norm, Village Organizations have helped local people take greater ownership for their own development. This increased participation in managing community affairs directly affects villagers' potential to generate income and meet local priorities. MSDSP channels a host of activities through Village Organizations, such as mobilizing resources for construction or repair of infrastructure, credit for farmers, investments in schools with community commitment in cost-sharing and maintenance, and loans for income-generating enterprises.

Vazgulam Valley, Tajikistan. The Budun channel follows
the mountainside and carries water from melted snow
down into the Vazgulam Valley, increasing agricultural
productivity and food security. A group of men from the
Budun Village Organisation work on the unfinished channel.

A year after the Village Organization Program began in Gorno-Badakhshan in 1997, 68% of villages had formed Village Organizations. By December 2000, there were 409 Village Organizations, which translates into almost 100% coverage of rural settlements and 95% of rural households. In April 2000, the Village Organization program was initiated in Garm and by December, there were 11 organizations with 2,700 members. People quickly learned that they could identify objectives and goals for their communities and work together to create solutions for their problems. They were also assured of the fact that MSDSP was committed to community involvement and would provide support for feasible projects that were backed by Village Organizations.

Here are some examples of mountains moved with community spirit.

The Kalanak Village Organization, Garm, Tajikistan

In Kalanak village, 15 km east of Garm town, the Village Organization took the initiative and asked MSDSP to provide support for a group of 26 female-headed households whose senior male members had been killed in civil war. MSDSP stipulated that if the Village Organization could get land for the women, then MSDSP would provide inputs for one season, given that the women agreed to sustain the crops in the years ahead. The Village Organization took the challenge and acquired 1.5 hectares of land from state authorities for the identified households. As promised, MSDSP provided inputs worth $124 to each female-headed household. The members of the Village Organization then pitched in, contributed their time and labor and helped the women-headed households plant pumpkins, maize and millet. By autumn, each woman's harvest was worth $700.

Adina's Poultry Farm, Darvaz, Tajikistan

Adina lives in Sangev in Darvaz , Tajikistan , where in 1999 a disease outbreak wiped out all the village's poultry. In April 2000, MSDSP and the Women's Group of Sangev entered into a partnership called the Poultry Project for Women. Adina, along with 57 households in the small village, received a poultry unit provided by MSDSP, and had the chickens disinfected and vaccinated. Of the 50 chickens that hatched, Adina consumed and sold 40 chicks in the autumn, earning three times the amount invested by MSDSP.

Water Supply Project in Kudoman Village Organization, Shurabad District, Tajikistan

Before 2002, there was no direct water supply to the Kudoman Village for over ten years. Manually fetching water from streams and other sources had meant that people had to walk 3 to 4 km to get water. Most of the water fetching responsibilities fell on the shoulders of women and children, consuming much time in their daily routine. The Village Organization concluded that getting a dependable and more convenient water source for the village was of prime importance for the well being of the villagers. In 2002, the Kudoman Village Organization approached MSDSP and worked out a plan by which MSDSP would support the Village Organization's plans and work with the community to ensure a safe and steady water supply.

MSDSP engineers worked in close partnership with the community to implement this project. Pipes were run from a spring about 4 km away into two reserve tanks. The community members, who also invested their own money, built the reserve tanks. The water from the reserve tanks was supplied to three main streets and nine points of water were opened. The whole village benefits from this water supply. With the year round water supply, the villagers can plant trees and cultivate vegetable gardens, ensuring a sustainable source of food. The women and children of the village are also able to find more time for education and personal growth activities instead of spending a large chunk of each day fetching water.

Mini-Hydrel Project in Wezdara Village, Roshtkala, Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan

One of the main problems of the Wezdara Village was that there was no electricity available during the six harsh winter months each year. The Wezdara Village Organization decided that building a mini-hydrel would help meet the energy requirement of their village. The Village Organization (VO) developed a proposal requesting MSDSP for assistance to make the project a success. The project was approved by MSDSP and the VO received a grant.

In March 1999, the construction of the mini-hydrel began. Twelve men and thirty-six women were involved in this project. In December 1999, once the project was completed, the dream of having electricity, throughout the year, in the little village came true.

Initially, about 24 households benefited from the electricity generated. Now, it serves 50 households as well as state agencies, a library and schools in Roshtkala District. Each year, the Wezdara Village Organization aims to form partnerships and has plans to expand to other Village Organizations in the area, which will cover about 140 households. In 2003, the Village Organization generated 3,670 somoni ($1,138) from supplying electricity. Each month the amount the Village Organization receives is announced publicly and members decide how to use the funds. For example, 670 somoni will be used to pay salaries and 3,000 somoni are saved in the Village Organization account.

The people of the Wezdara Village, like many villagers in Tajikistan, have benefited materially and have experienced a boost in their self-esteem. They realize that with a little support they can solve their own development problems.

MSDSP, as an independent Tajik NGO has learned from its experience in Gorno-Badakhshan, Garm and Shurabadad and from the experience of AKF internationally: People are the most important resource for any development effort. By working together in organized groups local people can pinpoint the areas that need most attention and can work towards achieving long-lasting results.