The story of a student who transformed a container into a learning center in Fergana’s Vodil

Islomjon Muhammadjonov is studying at the Fergana branch of the Tashkent University of Information Technologies. He saved up money to buy a container, refurbished it, and opened a learning center inside it, offering free training in modern professions to young people in his village. "I bought the container, but the real challenge started after that. I didn’t know where to place it, and everything seemed to fall into place eventually. Although it's small, we’ve achieved success," he says.

Islomjon Muhammadjonov is a 24-year-old youth leader from the "Obod" community in Vodil village, Fergana district. He established the "Obod Ta'lim" learning center in his neighborhood.

"One of my biggest goals has been achieved. I am happy about that. I have been providing free training to local youth in modern professions inside a small container.

"Initially, I saved up 18 million UZS to buy the container. But then, I didn’t know where to place it, which gave me a headache. Many places were already occupied.

"In fact, someone had already taken the space next to the school with the intention of building a shop.

"In the end, after some problems, we managed to place the container near the school. My father and uncle are craftsmen, and they repaired the container to a level where it could be used as a learning center. Otherwise, it would have cost a significant amount to repair. I opened the center and equipped it with computer setups. The most important thing is that we started offering free education to the local youth.

"Currently, the youth are receiving training in mobile photography, graphic design, web design, computer literacy, and English. The good news is that the young people studying at our center have started earning personal income. They are finding their own path in life.

"To be honest, I lived with the container idea for a year and a half. I contacted every organization and asked for a place. We even feared that if we got the space, they might not allow a learning center but rather open a shop. The idea of turning a container into a learning center was something no one had ever considered before.

"The container is only 2.5 meters wide and 13 meters long. It may seem very cramped, but many young people are learning for free here. And they are also earning income.

"In addition to my work in the IT sector with a government organization, I also have personal income. I collaborate with private enterprises, and I earn money by designing graphics for special platforms and selling them," says Islomjon Muhammadjonov.