I began doing some humanitarian aid work in Kazakhstan in 1992, under the name of Forestry Consultation and Development Group. We were helping them develop their timber resources. A year or two earlier, my friend, Bob Hedlund had started a similar work in Uzbekistan under the name of Joint Development Associates.
On several occasions, I stopped in Tashkent to see the Hedlunds. I was impressed with the creative ways that Bob used to help the Uzbeks through their economic crisis. Uzbekistan had been under Soviet control for 70 years. In the village of Karnap, Bob taught a group of folks the the principles of free enterprise and challenged them to present a business plan to meet a local need. He offered to loan them some funds and help them develop their businesses. One man told Bob about a local gypsum deposit that he could develop with some help. Bob was able help him get the necessary equipment, and soon they became the main gypsum source for the country. This primary plaster ingredient fostered much economic development, providing jobs for many workers. The quality of life in the community was enormously impacted.
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- EIN 84-1286934
- 8887594071
- 751 Horizon Ct Ste 113 Grand Junction CO 81501 USA
- www.jdainternational.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Economic Development, International, International Agricultural Development, International Development, International Economic Development, International Relief, Microfinance
Mission: JDA International will assist in the transformational development of Central Asia through constructive interaction with individuals, groups, governments and other organizations to promote and facilitate community health education, clean water access and improved farming techniques.
Results: Since our WASH program began in 2009, we have reached out to 36 communities in Northern Afghanistan raising awareness on hygiene and sanitation as well as creating access to 74 safe water wells. We have positively impacted 4,000 children and trained more than 12,000 women and 2,700 men in proper hygiene and sanitation. Through our BLiSS program we have helped to reduce Afghanistan's mother/child mortality rate by educating 2,000 women in first aid during and post pregnancy. In Agriculture, JDA has provided thousands of farmers with basic agronomy and mechanization courses. We introduced the use of 2-wheel tractors for better farming techniques. An estimated 30,000 farmers each year are receiving training in various agriculture activities which is improving food security and boosting household incomes.
Target demographics: women, men and children
Direct beneficiaries per year: 1,902 women, 488 men and provided safe water for 13,812 people. In agriculture, 30,000 farmers received training in various farming activities: wheat weed control, seed selection, land laser leveling, use and maintenance of two wheel tractors, and gardening .
Geographic areas served: Northern Afghanistan, Iraqi Kurdistan
Programs: Water Access and Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) which provides education to women and men about proper hygiene and sanitation practices. As part of the WASH program, JDA provides safe clean water access to villages by drilling new water wells and the distribution of Sawyer filters. JDA also takes its WASH program to schools through a Puppet show where students learn the importance of hand washing to stop the spread of germs. Our Birth Life Saving Skills (BLiSS) program educates women on how to provide basic first aid during pregnancy, delivery, and after, for both mother and child lowering the country's mother/child mortality rates. Our agriculture programs help advance food and economic security.