Photos

Wakhan valley
The inscription found at Shitkarv in the Wakhan valley of Southern Badakshan( Tajikistan) is moving. Here is some background to it's deciphering:

A cornerstone of the “Mountain Societies Development Support Program” (MSDSP) since 1997 is the Village Organization Program. In an environment where top-down decision-making used to be the norm, Village Organizations in Kuhistoni Badakshan have helped local people to take greater responsibilty and to manage community affairs directly. This helps villagers to generate income and meet local priorities. MSDSP channels a host of activities through Village Organizations, such as mobilizing resources for construction or repair of infrastructure, credit for farmers, investments in schools with community commitment in cost-sharing and maintenance, and loans for income-generating enterprises. In 2000, there were 409 Village Organizations, almost 100% of all rural settlements. MSDSP has been created by the Aga Khan Foundation. Germany and Switzerland contribute to its funding (from the homepage of Aga Khan Foundation).