SABIRABAD – On October 2, residents of the Akhiskha community of Sabirabad rayon, representatives of the local ExCom and the municipality, officials from the Ministry of Economy and Industry (MEI), U.S. Embassy and the United State Agency for International Development (USAID) gathered to mark the successful completion of the renovation of a kindergarten. The kindergarten was renovated under the Socio-Economic Development Activity (SEDA) and was co-financed by the governments of Azerbaijan and the United States in close cooperation with the local non-governmental organization (NGO), UMID.

The Akhiskha community has long lacked an adequate kindergarten building and equipment to provide quality elementary education and day-care to children. To address this issue, residents of Akhiskha, through their Community Development Council, worked with the SEDA project and the municipality to renovate the kindergarten building. The much improved kindergarten, with five rooms, a kitchen and corridor will allow for safe and convenient education and care of 50 children.

“The renovation of the kindergarten is a clear example of successful cooperation between the people and governments of the United States and Azerbaijan in empowering Azerbaijani communities to address social and economic needs,” said Mr. Dereck Hogan, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy. He also thanked the community for their time and resources in creating a safe, enjoyable learning environment for children.

Mr. Elbrus Huseynov, Head of the MEI in Aran region, described various infrastructure projects in the regions financed by the Azerbaijani government for improving the living conditions of the population. Mr. Huseynov praised the cooperation with USAID under the SEDA project and emphasized its contribution to the State Program on Socio-Economic Development of the Regions.

“The successfully completed renovation of the kindergarten will ensure convenience, accommodation and safety for our little kids,” stressed Mrs. Tokhtakhan Kamalova, Director of the Akhiskha kindergarten, who also attended the event.

Implemented by the East-West Management Institute with support from the Ministry of Economy and Industry and the Council for State Support to NGOs, SEDA promotes fuller participation of citizens, civil society organizations and local and central government institutions to advance socio-economic development in their communities.