The combined elements of poverty, disease and the destruction of the environment are the most pressing problems in the world.

SWORDE-Teppa aims to help combat these linked problems promoting sustainable world development within the environment. SWORDE-Teppa strongly believes that the physical and mental health of the community is dependent on the health of their man-made and natural environment. Amongst other benefits, a healthy environment provides sustainable resources such as; food, shelter, health, leisure, power and economic gains. Similarly, a healthy, content and more prosperous community will ensure a healthier environment and the protection of fauna and flora. SWORDE-Teppa believes that it is essential to bring a stable, prosperous and healthier way of life to the community. This is especially true in areas of the world where an unhappy population with little future to look forward to could find itself in a situation leading to mass emigration, civil strife, war, terrorism and possible knock-on effects in neighbouring and other countries around the world. These effects will almost inevitably affect the environment, bring poverty and disease and thus compound an already serious and potentially tragic situation. See ‘SWORDE-Teppa Mission Statement.pdf’		High mountain subsistence cultivation, Tajikistan SWORDE-Teppa is an international non-profit-making, non-governmental emergency reconstruction and development organization. “SWORDE-Teppa believes that it is essential to bring a stable, prosperous and healthier way of life to the community. ” Our goal is to assist in giving all people the opportunities that they deserve, whilst at the same time, promoting the preservation of the environment. In that sense, we are one of the few charities able to competently bridge the vital gap between humanitarian and environmental work.

We specialize in reaching the poorest populations in the most difficult environments

SWORDE-Teppa is committed to sustainable projects, with the emphasis on encouraging and supporting people to do things for themselves SWORDE-Teppa was set up to provide vital assistance in the transition from emergency situations to post emergency and development. This is the critical and often overlooked period in many parts around the world. This is the transition stage, which, if not handled correctly will lead to complications and waste of resources in the future or a backward step towards emergency once again. See ‘The SWORDE-Teppa Charter.pdf’.

SWORDE-Teppa is a forward thinking organisation geared towards the more complicated challenges of the 21st Century. SWORDE-Teppa was founded by a British citizen and a Tajik citizen and first started operations in 2000 under the name ‘Future’, a local voluntary group in Tajikistan. ‘Future’ and all its projects and staff later changed to the new name of SWORDE-Teppa. SWORDE-Teppa’s constitution was adopted in Tajikistan on the 22nd of December 2002 and amended on the 10th of October 2003. SWORDE-Teppa was entered on the central register of charities and registered in the UK on the 10th of November 2003. SWORDE-Teppa can be found on the list of charities on the Charity Commission website. SWORDE-Teppa’s Executive Board is made up of a variety of specialists and eminent members from both the UK, the US, Tajikistan and elsewhere. SWORDE-Teppa is one of the few charities which can claim a truly multi-cultural background and knowledge of the world. This better understanding of peoples’ cultures, languages and customs, together with a diverse wealth of specialist knowledge and experience is invaluable to our work. We believe that we are uniquely placed to deliver the very best assistance around the world.

SWORDE-Teppa colleagues at the teppa, KTY, Tajikistan

SWORDE-Teppa was entered on the central register of charities and registered in the UK on the 10th of November 2003. SWORDE-Teppa can be found on the list of charities on the Charity Commission website. SWORDE-Teppa’s Executive Board is made up of a variety of specialists and eminent members from both the UK, the US, Tajikistan and elsewhere. SWORDE-Teppa is one of the few charities which can claim a truly multi-cultural background and knowledge of the world. This better understanding of peoples’ cultures, languages and customs, together with a diverse wealth of specialist knowledge and experience is invaluable to our work. We believe that we are uniquely placed to deliver the very best assistance around the world.

SWORDE-Teppa’s objects are:

1. The relief of poverty, sickness and distress

2. The advancement of education

3. The preservation and protection of good health

4. The promotion of community participation in healthy recreation by providing facilities for playing particular sports

5. The preservation and protection of the physical and natural environment for the benefit of the public
   

Qurghonteppa

Since it started work, SWORDE-Teppa has gained an excellent reputation in the field for project management, working with the community and authorities and being able to deliver. SWORDE-Teppa consultants often advice authorities, UN and other INGOs on technical matters. Our programmes are supported by international volunteer consultants with years of knowledge and expertise in fields relevant to our projects. Our projects are managed and implemented in the field by the very best trained and highly committed national staff.

SWORDE-Teppa acts as a ‘front-line’ body and as a ‘co-ordinating’ body in implementing projects. SWORDE-Teppa works with a number of partner agencies

Winter Teppa

and non-governmental organisations, both national and international. These partners are chosen where they have specialist knowledge and experience in the relevant project. SWORDE-Teppa believes that it is essential to collaborate

and coordinate activities with other organizations and believes that there should be, where appropriate, an inter-sector approach to problems and projects. This should involve the authorities, institutions, business and the community. We believe that community participation is crucial to the success of our projects.

As an international organization, SWORDE-Teppa also provides an element of

Summer Teppa

protection for any of those projects which will ultimately be established as small businesses. This is particularly important in countries, where many people cite the possible extortion payment (‘mafia’ protection racket) as the main reason why they would not consider starting a business.

SWORDE-Teppa currently bases its Central Asian operations out of the city of Kurgan-Tyube, in the south Khatlon region of Tajikistan. This location is central to the

whole region. SWORDE-Teppa has established links with the community and fosters excellent working relations with the local authorities, UN organizations, other INGOs and national NGOs. See Map

Qurghonteppa village in winter

of Tajikistan and Map of The Caucasus and Central Asia pdf.

SWORDE-Teppa has established links with universities and other institutions in the UK, the US, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Russia and elsewhere. This academic base is vital for the correct planning, implementation and monitoring of our projects.