I am two days away from leaving my dear Rob, family and friends in Vancouver to head to Toronto, ON and eventually to Khujand, Tajikistan...
I can't believe I finally have this blog setup! It was more than a month ago when I discovered blogger and decided it was so user-UNfriendly and frustrating that I have been fearing to use it since. Rob told me about the new beta version that was released so after delaying day after day from touching this blog, I finally tried out the new and improved blogger! To my surprise, the pages loaded quicker and I was actually making progress instead of repetition. Thank God for google and BETA!
I thought it would be nice to do a quick reflection of my upcoming journey and list my expectations and my goals during these next 6 months in Tajikistan...
My Whereabouts:
August 27 - Depart for Toronto to attend the MEDA orientation session (Aug. 27-Aug. 31)
September 1 - Depart Toronto to Tashkent, Uzbekistan (via London)
September 3 - Arrive in Khujand, Tajikistan
PRAYER Requests~please pray for a safe and smooth journey through Heathrow Airport, for me to get through customs/baggage claim in Tashkent Airport, find Rustam who will be driving me to Khujand and for a safe drive across the border to Khujand. I do feel a bit antsy so I ask for God to provide peace in my heart throughout my travels.
My Expectations:
-It will be quite odd to not hear English spoken around me. I imagine myself being quite mute in the first while with lots of hand & facial gestures.
-Dealing with authorities (ie. police, customs, border guards etc.) will be scary but once in Tajikistan, the locals will be very friendly and hospitable
-My patience will be strengthen and tested
-Locals will think of me as a mainland Chinese national and not a Canadian. Is this a good thing?
-I will like the food but may stay away from meats; I will miss certain foods that I'm accustomed to eating in Canada
-I will miss Rob tons =(
My Goals:
Work
-Market research & competitive studies of local markets to have better understanding of industry context. It may involve designing and implementing of surveys/focus groups, SWOT and stakeholder analysis.
-Report on adapted technology that would benefit clients (female farmers); list the producers/distributors of these technologies
-Identify & improve the linkage between clients (farmers) - processors - markets (wholesale/retail, local/global, resources/information systems)
-Support Association of Entrepreneurs of Sugd Oblast (AESO)
-On my own, learn more about the microfinance and development: lessons learned, new initiatives, resources
Personal
-Be able to communicate in Russian and/or Tajik (basic)
-Learn how to cook a few local specialty dishes
-Trekking and visit the Pamir Mountains! (It's a longshot considering I'm there during the wintertime)
-Develop friendships that will last for a lifetime
-Take lots of photos!
Alright. That's it for now.
I will miss YOU all! (esp my dear hubby)
rae
