Press Releases 2008
Local orphanage thanks U.S. Embassy for solar energy (03/26/2008)
Some 80 children from a local orphanage together with local officials in Chirchik expressed their gratitude to the U.S. Embassy for providing them with solar panels. In 2007, the U.S. Embassy used funding for Environmental, Science, Technology and Health Programs to give $5,000 to the NGO Sharq Ayoli to purchase and install solar panels at Orphanage No. 14 in Chirchik, Tashkent Region. The solar panels generate over 600 liters of hot water that is used by 87 children at the orphanage every day.
The presentation of the solar panel project was celebrated with performances by the children. The U.S. Embassy’s Steven Prohaska was greeted by a deputy mayor of Chirchik, the director of the orphanage, representatives from the NGO Sharq Ayoli and the Chirchik City Department of Public Education as well as the orphanage’s children, who were all dressed up and completely charming. Giving a tour of the orphanage, the director of the orphanage said that the solar panels were the biggest present for these children in the Year of Youth and that the constant presence of hot water improved the health of children. By introducing the use of solar batteries, the NGO Sharq Ayoli demonstrates and promotes the use of an environmentally-friendly source of alternative energy to the surrounding community.