Disabled Community Uses ICT Skills to Secure Employment and Meet their Social Needs

Thanks in part to IATP technical training, disabled citizens from Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan, are becoming entrepreneurs empowered to obtain the assistance they need. In recent months, Samuil Lavskiy, a leader of the disabled community in Turkmenabat, cooperated with local entrepreneurs to open several businesses. These enterprises have had a positive impact on the local community and are currently employing 18 people with disabilities.

In September 2008, a group headed by Lavskiy opened its second business Sungat Studio which provides services, such as CD copying and audio-video material processing, and sells music and film products. Before developing the proposal for Sungat Studio, Lavskiy and his partners surveyed Turkmenabat citizens, assessing the city’s demand for such services. Utilizing IATP resources, the group conducted online research, developed a survey questionnaire, and produced job application forms. Four disabled Turkmenabat residents are now employed at Sungat.

In late 2007, Lavskiy and his coworkers started to develop their community service projects under the USAID-funded Local Development Initiatives Grant Program administered by Counterpart International. Receiving grants for $5,500 and $1,125, they first launched the FAN Service Center, which provides tailoring, laundering, and salon services in the city. As a result of the new business, 14 formerly unemployed disabled citizens are making dresses, repairing shoes, maintaining facilities, and styling hair. Lavskiy, who is afflicted with cerebral paralysis, is one of 12 disabled citizens who completed IATP courses in basic computing, internet use, graphic editing, and Web design over the last two years. Through specialized seminars jointly organized by IATP and the Hemayat Economics Association, these individuals also learned about business planning, management, and relevant legal issues.

To date, income from Sungat Studio and FAN Service Center has allowed Lavskiy to purchase ten walking sticks for people with cerebral paralysis. According to the project’s business plans, Lavskiy plans to spend part of the business’ profits on similar charitable endeavors for his disabled peers in Turkmenabat.

Comments

[aion kinah]

Good post.I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it interesting reading.