ORIENTATION

1. ORIENTATION Welcome Orientation

2. Khujand - the city • Established - as the city of former Soviet Tajik Republic in 1939, but has the history of more than 2500 years • Population – more than 149 000 (2000 census) • In 329 BC, Alexander Great built one of his Eskhates in Khujand city • An administrative center of Sugd province, in the north • Largest industrial and cultural center of northern Tajikistan

3. Accommodation • Guesthouse (private apartments) “Kairokum and Amid” • Capacity – 2 or 3 people in an apartment • Safe, located in the center of the city • Cooking facilities are available in the apt

4. Food • Breakfast and dinner will be in restaurant, lunch will be catered to the jobsite by coordinator or driver • Always use bottled water. Tap water is not drinkable • Sometimes the families will share food with you in the jobsite and perhaps you will have lunch with them in their houses • Always use your personal water bottles

5. Cultural sensitivity - does and donts WHEN IN TAJIK HOUSE: • Bread - is considered to have a life of its own. It must be treated with respect. Never put flat bread (non) face down, never let bread (or breadcrumbs) fall to the ground, and don't throw it out with ordinary rubbish/trash • You will be treated with a lot food when you are in guests. Know that although you are not hungry the host brings a lot of food and tries to get you eat it. This is the part of customs and tradition. Host tries to show his/her respect towards guest by offering everything which they have. • Men usually only shake hands with other men and sometimes hug. For women it is not obligatory to shake hand of men, just saying “Hi” is OK. Intimate contact (hugging, kissing) with the opposite sex in public is culturally unacceptable - even between you and your spouse or a good friend, it can be misunderstood • Clothing– Your clothing should be durable, simple, and not of sentimental value to you. It is specifically requested that none of the men wear shorts that fall ABOVE the knee and that women do not wear shorts at all. European clothing is acceptable in the city. Long trousers and T-shirts are the only option for the work site construction worksite. Best thing to wear on these mission trips is hospital scrubs.

6. General safety and some information to know • Buddy system - don’t go out alone, especially at night • Always have with you emergency contact information • Personal items/ laptops can be left in accommodation but not money & jewelry • In the streets, bazaars and shops be careful – pickpockets. • Avoid to use taxi service on your own, use only official taxi provider companies recommended in “Personal Security Cards” • Emergency contact : GV Host Coordinator – Farhod, phone numbers: +992 93 514 5069, +992 907 767 8090; back up number HR Administrator- Alinazar: +992 93 505 1535, International call: 00+country code + area code • Changes in the schedule/itinerary – team leader of HC will let you know before any changes may occur • Do not be surprised if the women in the partner family is not involved in construction work. Mainly they are busy with maintenance of their homes, cooking, cleaning and looking after their little kids. • R&R options – visiting historical places, homeowners’ house, museums and craft shops and some cultural activity if available