Even before the Tulip revolution took place next door in Kyrgyzstan, the Uzbek government has started to audit international organizations operating in country. If the auditors knew what they were doing, it would be one thing, but a two week audit of one organization has turned into a month of confusion. And with renewed pressure and paranoia from above, the process will take much, much longer – or much, much faster with more negative outcomes. In the mean time, accreditation for each organization to operate here are withheld until after audits are over, leaving everyone in limbo with expired visas – well, because visas don’t get renewed unless you are accredited, of course.
Peace Corps is feeling the pain, too, surprise, surprise. I’m not sure if we are being audited or not, but I do know that our accreditation for this year is five to six months over due. Moreover, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided only a two month visa for the new volunteers, and most likely nothing more until we are accredited. Don’t worry, friends and family, Peace Corps is working with the highest level at the American Embassy to resolve the visa issue, and like last year, it may just take another sit-in at the MFA office by the Ambassador and the Country Director to get…ummm…maybe a three month extension.
So the ripples from the Rose, Orange, and Tulip revolutions and any other progress towards democracy throughout the world, continue to expand here. They leave many of us spinning ‘round and ‘round in their wake, and the work that we’re here to do stuck in the doldrums…
Personally, I find that a lot of what I’m here to do – developing NGO’s – is necessary. However, working with an already highly developed NGO, I feel very ineffective at helping them to overcome obstacles which are beyond our control. They already have a lot of capacity, and a lot of potential. I can help them win as many grants and contracts as I can, but it is pointless if their activities get blocked through the banking system, other official measures, or scare tactics. As a result, I am focusing more on the individual level – starting English conversation clubs with youth and young professionals, and possibly organizing some rural school repair projects if funding comes through…
…all the while humming my daily mantra…“Big dreams, small miracles!”