Passion into action
UNICEF is empowering young people in Tajikistan to positively engage with local authorities and use their passion to influence the issues that affect them.
Farahnoz Tohirova, 18, lives in the Asht district of Tajikistan. Farahnoz has always been passionate about teaching, something she inherited from her mother, who teaches at the local school.
In 2021, it was the UNICEF-supported 'Adolescents - Partners for Sustainable Development' project presented at her school that caught her attention. The project gives young people the opportunity not only to design their own projects that tackle certain issues in their communities, but also to implement them together with local authorities. Farahnoz was eager to take part.
The problem Farahnoz identified and wanted to address, was the shortage of language teachers in her community, particularly English language teachers. With a team of her peers, Farahnoz appealed to the local education department for support from professional and experienced teachers willing to train Farahnoz and her team in basic teaching methods. Farahnoz's idea was to learn basic teaching skills and then start teaching children aged 10-13 in English.
The local education department supported Farahnoz and assigned professional English teachers to support Farahnoz and her peers. After completing the training, the young people were equipped with basic mentoring skills in English, and modern teaching experience.
The most fascinating part of this project was the cooperative adults, who trusted us, listened to us, and guided us at every step of the way.
The project proved to be a great success, with her team-teaching English to up to 100 new students aged between 10-13 years in just few months. The experience of working and instructing young children has also made Farahnoz realize her true passion in life, and that is teaching. In the future, she wants to be a professional teacher and help children realize their true passion and achieve their dreams.
“I have always loved foreign languages but never thought that I could also help society through this passion. But when I started working with children, I realized that that’s what I want to do. I have now chosen my future occupation, and that is a teacher of the English language.” said Farahnoz.
