Tursunzoda, Tajikistan - On August 8 Ambassadors for Peace of Tajikistan held their quarterly meeting at a home for elderly and handicapped people in the town of Tursunzoda, 60 miles west of the capital, Dushanbe. Ambassadors for Peace brought gifts paid for by their own funds, including musical equipment, a karaoke system with a microphone, and CDs of classical music. In addition, they brought two cows, two goats, two 40-kilo packs of rice, one sack of flour, and 100 kilos of humanitarian goods from Japan.
The second part of the program consisted of appointing three new Ambassadors for Peace: Mrs. Shamsidinova (director of the home for the elderly), Mrs. Mirakilova (chairwoman of the Peace Fund), and Mr. Saidov (vice-director of the Institute of Philosophy). Then Ambassadors for Peace shared about their vision for future UPF activities, ranging from local outings to international festivals.
After taking a group photo, we went from room to room meeting residents, talking with them, comforting and encouraging them. It was very moving to watch the 20 people going from room to room, sharing what they brought, and showing their love. Then we had a lunch on the bank of a mountain river.
The next part of the program was a free concert arranged by UPF representative Alexander Feodorov, who sang about 15 traditional songs. The music was much appreciated. The elderly people gathered in the hall, some coming in wheelchairs. Around 80 percent of the elderly people were Russians, and they probably never imagined that a young Russian from St. Petersburg would rent some equipment, come to their distant home, and sing especially for them! People were very moved; many cried and asked for autographs.
The Ambassadors for Peace decided to make it a tradition to visit this home and bring a variety of singers and musical groups.