IATP News

NGO Promotes Institutional Development; Farmers Modernize Practices in Tajikistan

More than 145 farmers in Tajikistan

have acquired new ICT skills since March, thanks to a burgeoning joint venture between ITAP and local NGOs committed to helping develop the country’s agricultural sector.

Rustam Nasriddinov, head of the Tajik agricultural NGO Lola Farming, inspired the initiative by asking IATP to conduct a mobile training-of-trainers in February 2009.  A veteran IATP user himself, Nasriddinov set up a website for Lola Farming after receiving Web design training at the Dushanbe center. He continued to draw on IATP resources by coordinating the February training-of-trainers, which was designed to prepare three NGO employees and five farmers to train farmers in Tajikistan in basic computer skills and demonstrate how advanced technologies could help develop their businesses.

Ahliddin Qurbonov, an employee of the NGO Anvor, participated in the IATP training-of-trainers and now offers computer and internet courses to local farmers in Vahdat. Anyor was originally implementing a project to provide legal support and business planning skills to farmers. But, he says, they quickly realized that teaching farmers ICT skills was essential: “Without knowledge of information technology, it would be nearly impossible for the farmers to move to the next level of their development.”

Another User Launches a Business with IATP Assistance in Georgia

An IATP trainee from Batumi, Georgia, Lela Verdzadze used her newly acquired ICT skills to plan, market, and run a private business, and as a result, opened a driving school with her father.

In December 2008, Verdzadze completed ICT basics for small businees owners at the IATP center, and has been an active IATP user ever since. Due to the high unemployment rates in Georgia, she decided to become an independent entrepreneur. Verdzadze used IATP's free internet access to investigate the best type of business to open in her home city, visited the tax department’s website to find out the legal requirements for opening a business, and prepared all necessary documentation. In February 2009, Verdzadze and her father founded their own driving school. The driving school offers theoretical and practical lessons for those seeking a driver’s license.

Lela Verdzadze commented, “With the assistance of the IATP center, I managed to obtain useful skills and information and was able to open my own driving school. To have an independent source of income is really important considering the current unemployment rate in the country.” In addition to Verdzadze’s driving school, IATP users throughout Georgia have opened furniture stores and salons, among other businesses.

Former Librarian Changes Careers, Wins Grant Study in France

Lela Oragvelidze, empowered by ICT skills at the Batumi, Georgia, IATP center, just completed a year of grant-funded study of hotel management in France. This professional development will be essential as this former librarian prepares for a new career in the tourism industry.

In 2004, Oragvelidze was employed by the Akaki Tsereteli Batumi Public Library. That same year, she began visiting her local IATP center, completing computer and internet training courses, participating in events, and using IATP resources for research and networking. Already possessing an interest in tourism, she used free internet access at IATP to find opportunities in the field, eventually learning of, applying to, and attending the French Institute of the Alps (www.ifalpes.fr).

After completing her studies, Oragvelidze commented, “Thanks to IATP, where I was empowered by ICT skills and free internet services, I was able to spend one wonderful year studying hotel management in France. For many people, studying abroad triggers career development, and I hope the same will be true for me. Currently I have several offers from various hotels.”

Internet Helps Farmers in Moldova Work Efficiently, Cut Costs

As a result of their IATP training, farmers in Comrat, Moldova, are using the internet to improve their supply chain management skills and to advertise their services. The farmers reported that at the IATP center, they were able to find raw goods suppliers online and post announcements about their own goods at no cost. Using the internet in their work is helping the farmers save money on advertising and devote more funds to their goods.

Training participant Vasily Kylchik commented, "Having become acquainted with the internet, after only few lessons we could gather information on new technologies, the cultivation of agricultural crops, and successful experiences of other farmers. Even the weather forecast for the nearest ten days received in proper time helps our organization work more effectively."

Next, the farmers will learn how to create their own website, which will allow potential investors and individuals to receive information on goods and services offered by their farms, and will also provide a platform to discuss the latest developments in agriculture in Moldova.

IATP Users in Azerbaijan Receive Jobs at National Mobile Phone Company

Two young women in Shirvan were hired at the one of Azerbaijan’s national mobile phone companies Narmobile (http://narmobile.az/) as a result of IATP training.  Before they came to IATP last fall, Emilia Fataliyeva and Flora Abilova had difficulty finding jobs since the majority of companies required employees to have computer skills.  After requesting help from IATP, the young women learned MS Office applications and internet basics.  Alongside ICT training, the pair also completed management courses, learned how to create resumes, and apply for jobs online.

As a result of their efforts, they recieved jobs at Narmobile’s newly opened branch in Shirvan.  Today, Fataliyeva and Abilova manage daily office tasks, such as registering subscribers and preparing reports, using their computer skills.  Abilova commented, "Thanks to IATP training, we achieved success.  After attending IATP training on computer skills, resume writing, and more, we were hired by a well known company.  We express our gratitude to IATP and to USAID for financing it."  Professional ICT courses provided by IATP raise the qualifications of citizens, as well as the economic potential of their communities. IATP centers continue to provide these skills in nearly 50 cities throughout Eurasia.

Lawyer Promotes His New Legal Services Business to International Clients Online

A lawyer from Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, Nykolai Tsyglin, expanded his clientele both in Ukraine and abroad due to a bilingual website he developed at IATP.  An active IATP user since 2002, Tsyglin has taken advantage of many IATP-provided opportunities to learn new skills. In 2007, he opened his own company, Albus, providing legal services to residents around Eurasia.

 Striving to promote his business and reach more clients, Tsyglin developed his website (http://www.tsyglin.com) after pursuing IATP Web design training in 2007.  The site contains information on Tsyglin’s educational background, areas of expertise, professional achievements, a list of partners, and his contact information.  Later, he developed an English-language version of the site to reach out to clients from other countries.  Although Tsyglin already had international clients, until he developed his website, he had no formal, professional way to market his services in the international field. A few weeks ago, an immigrant from Ukraine living in Germany contacted Tsyglin through his website, asking him to represent her in court in a law suit concerning her property in Dnipropetrovsk.

Tsyglin commented, “IATP training courses helped me not only raise my profile, but also made my clients treat me with more respect when they see the website link on my business card.” Currently, Tsyglin is looking forward to learning Web 2.0 skills at IATP, seeking to enhance his ICT skills and work more efficiently.

Formerly Unemployed Citizen Launches a New Business after ICT Training

Nikoloz Namgalauri of Batumi, Georgia first learned about the Internet Access and Training Program (IATP) and its free training from a colleague who had recently opened her own private furniture salon in Batumi.  His friend said that she was able to open her store thanks to the knowledge and skills she acquired during IATP training.  Namgalauri followed her advice, first visiting the IATP center in 2007.  He went on to complete training modules in computer and internet basics, advanced graphic editing, and online networking.

A year later, Namgalauri was facing difficulties finding a job due to the economic downturn and the Georgian-Russian military conflict.  He began thinking about launching his own business.  Particularly interested in the beauty industry, he took advantage of IATP’s free computer and internet access services, learning more about how to establish a private entity.  While conducting research online, Namgalauri visited websites of a number of well-known Russian beauty salons, studying the types of services offered, salon service pricing, and the latest laws on taxation, licensing, and other legal aspects of private enterpreneruship in Georgia.

 In September 2008, Namgalauri and his wife, Elene, opened a private beauty salon called Miledi.  Recently, Namgalauri used his advanced graphics editing skills to develop a colorful 2009 calendar with the pictures of various hairstyles offered by his salon which he said proved to be an effective advertising tool.  

 The enterpreneur commented, “with assistance from the Batumi IATP Center, I managed to obtain useful skills and information that helped me to open this family business.  Considering the current complicated employment situation in the country, it is very important to have a private source of income.  I’m also proud that I’m providing employment for five more people in our beauty salon.”  Namgalauri is one of 104 private entrepreneurs trained by IATP in Georgia since 2008.

TAG Finalists Uses ICT to Find Success in the Beauty Industry

In November 2008, Tech Age Girls (TAG) project finalist Xenia Terzi was offered a well-paying job at a salon in her hometown.  TAG, which is implemented by the IATP center in Comrat, is designed to equip Moldovan girls from disadvantaged families and rural areas with technology skills, helping them secure a brighter future in Moldova.  As a result of the TAG training, Terzi created and published a website (http://crasota.md.iatp.net) and a wiki page (http://kseniaterzi.wikidot.com) to share her knowledge as a beautician with wider audiences.

Originally a manicurist, Terzi is now known in Comrat as an expert hairstylist.  Using specialized software and a Web camera, she can provide clients with options for hairstyles based on their face structure, hair length, and complexion.  While waiting in line—and there usually is one—clients can view Terzi’s website and wiki.  With Terzi’s help, the salon has become a popular and respected location in Comrat.  Terzi commented, "My success is directly connected to IATP." Thanks to the knowledge and skills they gain at IATP,

TAG participants are better prepared to find work in their hometowns.  Such quality employment reduces their risk of becoming victims of human trafficking. Over 100 young women in Moldova have learned ICT skills for their educational and professional development through TAG.

More Georgian Guesthouse Owners Develop their Businesses with IATP Assistance

ICT skills acquired through IATP center training continue to assist Georgian guesthouse owners in developing their businesses, attracting new clients, and adapting to the highly competitive tourism market.  In January, another private entrepreneur from the area of Telavi, Georgia reported significant improvements in her business and an increase in the number of tourists due to her newly acquired ICT skills.

Nino Itiuridze is the owner of the Mirgvela Guesthouse in the historic northeast Georgian town of Tusheti. Tusheti is a potentially attractive destination of international travelers but lacks a developed tourism industry.  Itiuridze, realizing the importance of the internet and online marketing in modern tourism, decided to enroll in a month-long training course on basic computer and internet skills and Web design at the Telavi IATP Center.  After the training, Itiuridze developed a website for her guesthouse (http://mirgvela.iatp.ge) with photographs, service descriptions, useful information for tourists, and contact information.  She also took advantage of the center’s free internet access to learn about new services and popular marketing tactics used by the others in the tourism industry.  As a result, she introduced new services at her guesthouse, such as offering information on the available regional tours.

Soon after Mirgvela went online, the National Information Service added the guesthouse’s website to the National Information Service’s database.  As Nino Itiuridze noted, the number of visitors increased by 25% since she created a website for the guesthouse and added it to the national database.  Most of the tourists that visited the guesthouse said Mirgvela’s online resources were the reason they chose to patronize the business.  The successful entrepreneur commented, “IATP helped me acquire useful skills and knowledge that turned out to be very helpful for development of my business.  I strongly recommend to other people like me that they seek training at their IATP center.”  Itiuridze is one of 106 entrepreneurs who went through IATP training programs throughout Georgia in 2008.

Tajik Farmers Learn Effective Business Practices

Eight farmers from Vahdat, Tajikistan, acquired ICT skills during IATP training initiated by the former IATP user and Project Coordinator of Dehkan Farms Service Center (DFSC) Rustam Nasriddinov. The goal of the training was to enhance farmers’ ICT skills and to show them how advanced technology can help them develop their businesses.

Nasriddinov, a successful farmer himself, shared his achievements with his colleagues and presented the website he designed after IATP training (lola.freenet.tj). He explained how he became aware of using ICT in farming during an exchange trip to the United States on the Cochran Fellowship Program under the US Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service, “In the US, I was impressed to watch a farmer working on his laptop in the middle of his field. I decided to share my knowledge with other farmers in Tajikistan and hope that one day our farmers will use ICT to improve their daily work.”

The head of Khoji Kurbon Farming Sadullo Kurbonov said, “Today the farming sector in Tajikistan suffers in its technological development. It’s worth mentioning that significant quantities of fruits and vegetables are delivered to the capital city from Vahdat. Thus, such training will help farmers to move to a new level of work.” Greater online presence for farming organizations in Tajikistan helps them to improve their productivity and find new markets for their goods.

The head of Rozikiyon Farming Hojisobir Safoev commented, “Although we have the means to purchase necessary equipment, we do not have the skills necessary to use them in running our businesses. I would not have expected ICT to be so useful for farmers.” In addition, the community could watch a news story on training for farmers at IATP, which was broadcasted by the state-owned TV Safina.

Another farmer and IATP user Samiev Amriddin mentioned, “Today in Tajikistan farmers still use old information on farming. This sector, however, has dramatically developed with the technology available today.” He continued, “Now we are able to find necessary information about the prevention of bacterial infection, new methods of irrigation, and different types of pesticides. We hope that this training will help us to use our means more efficiently and be more productive.”

Kurbonov and Amriddin bought and began doing business on laptops after completing ICT training in December at the IATP center. Other training participants throughout December visited the center several times in order to find necessary information for their businesses on the internet. Other farmers were inspired by Nasriddinov and decided to create a website for the Vahdat Farming Association to connect Tajik farmers to markets around the world.