Romini Masumi ’09
Project Location: Khujand, Tajikistan
Project Title: Opportunities for Young People with Disabilities
$ 1500 in FLEX Alumni Grant Program Funding
In August and September 2015 Romini Masumi ‘09 together with three volunteers conducted classes for an intensive English language school for 20 young people with disabilities living in Khujand, Tajikistan. The project was organized in partnership with the NGO ‘Parents of Disabled Children,’ which invited the participants and their parents to the event and helped to facilitate classes. All project activities were held in a conference hall of the Tavhid Hotel.
On August 8-10, organizers held a series of workshops on the topic of disability rights. At these workshops Romini shared his experiences of living in the U.S. as a FLEX student with a disability and introduced the work of Mobility International, a U.S.-based NGO that promotes equal opportunities worldwide. The workshop’s guest speaker lawyer Abdujalilov Ejod gave a presentation on the situation with disability rights in Tajikistan focusing on the opportunities available for the participants.
The intensive English language classes took place three times a week from August 17 until September 25. As a result of the project, the participants improved their English skills, received information regarding their rights, and were encouraged to take part in international educational programs. ‘Many participants noted that the project has changed their outlook on disability rights and made them feel more empowered,’ says Romini. As a result, one project participant Daler Rakhmatov is now raising funds to go to India to participate in educational workshops.
After the project the FLEX alumni have stayed in touch with the participants. Together they are planning to conduct more social and educational activities together in the near future.
