HealthProm

11/10. In November HealthProm welcomed two of its Tajik partner organisations to the UK . As part of HealthProm’s work in Tajikistan to decrease the number of children at risk of poverty, the tour aimed to facilitate knowledge exchange on service delivery, advocacy, capacity building and developments in supporting children with additional needs and their families.

During a busy two weeks, Lola Nasriddinova from the Kishte Centre, and Saida Inoyatova of the Disabled Women’s League in Dushanbe met with a number of different organisations across London and Scotland, including Headway East London, Jagonari Children’s Centre, Women’s Refuge, the LSE and the Phoenix Children’s Centre in Bromley.

Lola from the Kishte Centre was keen to use the trip to meet with organisations making a difference for children with autism, whereas Saida hoped to gain new perspectives on supporting women in crisis.  Both women were grateful for the positive and supportive response they received from those they met with.

As Lola commented, “We were really grateful for the welcoming attitude we received. The study tour reminded us of the importance of strategic planning and developing a strategy with the City Health Dept and Ministry of Health for the next 3-5 years. Advocacy, lobbying and awareness raising as well as networking with other organisations need to take a higher priority in the future.”

HealthProm was lucky enough to be able to invite both women to its annual post-AGM event held at Pushkin House in central London. During a joint presentation to attendees both women spoke passionately about the project, its achievements and importance to the lives of vulnerable children and families across Tajikistan.

HealthProm has been working closely with the Kishte Centre and Disabled Women’s League since the start of 2010 as part of its EC-funded project “An Early Years Support Centre service in Dushanbe: Reducing poverty, empowering vulnerable families, strengthening partnerships and advocating for rights.” Read more here.