DUSHANBE, 03.12.2021 (NIAT Khovar) – The citizen service organization Spirit of America, in partnership with the US Embassy in Dushanbe, announced a financial commitment that will keep the Afghan Somoniyon School open to students from Tajikistan’s Afghan refugee community. Responding to the critical need of refugee children, Spirit of America will investing more than $80,000 to sustain the school’s operations for the next 12 months.

Located in Dushanbe, the Somoniyon School serves more than 450 students from kindergarten to 11th grade. It is the only school in Tajikistan to offer curriculum from Afghanistan with instruction in the Dari language. The school, which risked closure following the Afghan government’s collapse, will remain open with Spirit of America supporting the cost of rent, student transportation, furnishings, minor repairs, and internet. The school also receives a lot of support from the Ministry of Education and Science of Tajikistan.

“We are proudly investing over $80,000 to ensure that more than 450 displaced Afghan children have access to a quality education and can grow up with the same dreams and aspirations as other boys or girls around the world,” commented Spirit of America’s Chief Executive Officer Jim Hake.

According to him, the recent tragic events in Afghanistan have placed tremendous strain on many countries, but have also shown how communities can come together to help those in need.

“The Tajik people, true to their values, have exhibited tremendous goodwill and hospitality toward Afghans seeking refuge in their country. In solidarity, Spirit of America is funding the Somoniyon School for Afghan refugees for the next 12 months”, he noted.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to Spirit of America for giving these boys and girls the chance to continue their education. This valuable assistance is truly life changing for our students,” Somoniyon School principal Nojia Zahir said.

US Ambassador to Tajikistan John Mark Pommersheim welcomed the contribution.

“We thank Spirit of America for its generous support, which gives vulnerable Afghan youth a path to a better future,” he stated.

“The people of the United States and Tajikistan stand firmly together in solidarity with Afghan refugees,” he noted.

This donation follows Spirit of America and US Embassy’s collaboration to support three community centers in Vahdat that provide English-language, technology and vocational programs to over 2,500 Tajiks and Afghans. Spirit of America funded the renovation and high-speed internet for the Karvan Education Center, the Innovation Technology and Communications Center, and the Vahdat youth center – enabling Tajik and Afghan youth in Vahdat to access education resources and opportunities.

The commitment to the Somoniyon School builds on decades of US leadership in humanitarian and development aid. Since 1992, the American people have provided over $1.8 billion in programs and humanitarian aid that support Tajikistan’s democratic institutions, health care, culture, education, and economic growth. The United States remains the largest single humanitarian donor in Afghanistan and for Afghan refugees in the region, providing nearly $474 million.