Working in Khujand................................
on Elaine McGauran (Tajikistan), 01/Aug/2011 23:29, 34 days ago
So I hear people are curious to know what exactly I doing here in Khujand well………...I just signed off a 4 hrs‘Disability Awareness Training’ programme and waiting to get government approval. Now I am meeting with various banks and other business here in Khujand to organise some seminars. As I explained to the people I meet at this stage it’s not about securing jobs for people with disabilities (PWD).The systems/environment are just not in place yet – but it is about raising awareness. I am trying to get these important people to understand that PWD can work and contribute to society. This is a challenge as it does contradict the old‘soviet’ way of thinking. But I am confident from what I have seen/heard that people are willing to listen and learn!!!I just met the boss of one of the local banks this morning. The great thing here is that people are willing to meet with you and give you a chance to explain yourself. So this guy was great offered me a training room and anything else I needed along with some great local knowledge of other business contacts etc. At the end of the meeting we were chatting so turns out he knows Ireland well. The first branch of this bank was opened by an Irish guy in Dushanbe.This is my boss Sabohat (above on left Nosa my translator on right)– she had me over to her house Sat night for an ‘epic’ 4 hour Tajik dinner. She wanted to wait until her son came back from Russia as he speaks English and she speaks none. Now the communication difficulties can be frustrating at times especially when your translator is away and your dependanton Google translates. (For the record not great). However having said that the positive thing that is that conversations/meetings tend to be direct and to the point. Now this is something I can appreciate – one avoids the endless marathon sometimes meandering blah blah blah meetings that occur without language barriers. (PS – this is a general comment and not directed at person(s) in particular ha ha!!).But she is a wonderful dynamic passionate woman determined to make a difference for the children with disabilities here in T. Over the years I know this has caused some difficulties with her and officialdom but she just keeps going. I have so much admiration for her– she set up Rangikamon (rainbow) 10 years ago as a local NGO and it is still going strong. I hear all the time about people like Sabohat trying to fight the system and make a difference. And you know they are in small ways. But if wasn’t for people like her and others I wonder what would happen here, Ireland and elsewhere??My Translator:Ah she is my eyes, ears and voice and brilliant. Her name is Nosa, she is 21 and speaks excellent English. She is in fact so good and so used to me now that most of the time I forget to slow down. But we are now great friends you really develop such a good bond with your translator because you are completely dependent on them. She is leaving in September for a yearlong scholarship in a university in Prague. I’m so happy for her but will miss her terribly – I just hope I can find a great replacement. Also trying to arrange for her to visit me in Dublin so hopefully some of you will get to meet her in person next year!!Luv this photo - kettle in office balancing very precariously on two paper holders!! (I generally stand beside it when its on). As is typical here in T there are loads of electrical sockets trouble is few if any actually work!!Marshrutka (aka Mini Bus)Ah lads I don’t think I will ever forget the joys of travelling to work in a Marshrutka. The journey time is only about 10 minutes but honestly every week I have a different experience. They basically stop everywhere and you just wave to get their attention. Cost about 15 cents and my god they are crazy drivers. They are all competing for your business and come roaring along, screeching to a stop to try and get you on. Of course when they are full I just wave them on which causes great consternation. I still haven’t quite managed the art of climbing in/out with bags etc – it’s never particular graceful shall we say.They tend to motor long around 25 mph but then over the bridge which is a nice decent road they pick up to maybe 45. Always at this stage my heart is in my mouth. In my view it’s a single road but here it seems to be two lanes. And at times there is literally a few inches between the Marshrukas as they zoom along.I always get a seat because A) I’m a woman and B) Foreigner and I usually always find someone to talk to. If you get on loaded with bags people with take them off you and hold them for you. Likewise this woman got on carrying twins and just handed me one to hold. I tell you they are great crack - you normally pay a little kid who open/closes the door. And this is done wordlessly you just tap someone on the shoulder and they pass the money along. Oh and yes as is normal here no seat belts!!MosquitosOh god the bane of my life. I have tried everything. Vitamin E tablets, spray, cream, and plug in stuff to absolutely no avail. Some nights are okay just a few bites and then other nights I wake up. I’m telling you right now your average junkie in Abbey Street would have nice looking legs then mine. Let’s just say after counting 30 bites on one leg – I gave up. The little feckers just luv me – Jeff my roommate not one bite!!! Why oh why???Alternative Sleeping Patterns:Ahyes well I have for some reason developed my own personal alternative sleeping pattern. For example; one night I will wake up or not sleep at all – and cranky all day. The next night cos I’m so tired I’ll sleep for about 5 hours!! I set my alarm religiously every night but not sure why I bother sun rises here so early I actually have never needed the alarm. Ah well roll on the cooler weather in October.Ramadan:Yep,just kicked off today 1/8/11. Essentially you cannot eat/drink between approx. 3am and 8pm for the whole month of August. Young, old and sick are excused but for everyone else this is norm. I honestly do not know how they do it especially no water in this heat. My friends tell me the first 10 days are torture but after that it gets better. Me I think I would probably last 10 minutes. You can’t even have a shower, anything that provides relief for a person breaks Ramadan.Hope all is well.As always from me to y’all good night and I hope you enjoyed the long w/end.Lainey xxxPs: Great just got a weather warning email the weather is supposed to get extremely hot between 2– 6thAugust. Yeah just what I need more heat!!PPS: As I upload this it's 4.12 am...........been awake all night can't sleep between heat and mosquitos ahhhhh!!