Silver Spring, Maryland--On September 6, the president of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rakhmonov, participated in a solemn ceremony opening a new children's boarding school in the Varzob Region of Tajikistan, which was equipped and funded with the support of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).

The boarding school, known as "Chorbog," or "Four Gardens," is located 12 miles from the city of Dushanbe and is home to nearly 130 children. Many of the new school's pupils are mentally handicapped children who lost their homes this past January when a fire destroyed another boarding school in Dushanbe City.
Several children were lost in that tragedy.

The ADRA office in Tajikistan was the first international organization to offer emergency aid for the fire survivors, providing food, and other necessities for the children. ADRA Tajikistan, with the financial support of the ADRA offices in Germany and Norway, was also able to equip the new children's home with classroom furniture and other accessories.

President Rakhmonov visited the classroom equipped by ADRA and was extremely appreciative to ADRA for its contribution to aid the children. "We wish to thank ADRA Germany and ADRA Norway for their contributions to help those in need, and in the development of the country of Tajikistan," said Zafar Muratov, country director for the ADRA office in Tajikistan.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.