The Foreign Service Journal, September 2015

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2015 67 AFSA NEWS Trofim Takes Dushanbe THE M. JUANITA GUESS AWARD FOR A COMMUNITY L IAISON OFF ICE COORDINATOR ALEXE I TROF IM On arriving in Tajikistan, a 30-percent hardship differen- tial post with few opportuni- ties for travel or recreation, Alexei Trofim immediately recognized the importance of fostering “a strong spirit of community to power through the hurdles of day-to-day life.” During the two years he served as post’s co-commu- nity liaison officer (CLO)— eight months of which he did solo—Trofim excelled at fueling that spirit. On average, the bound- lessly energetic Trofim coordi- nated 10 to 12 monthly events for the embassy community. Ranging from quiz nights and happy hours to visits to local restaurants and museums, the gatherings were popular among American and local staff alike. His wildly successful Halloween party earned him the accolades of a visiting delegation from the Office of the Inspector General, with one inspector calling the event one of the best he had ever seen. Given security consider- ations, poor infrastructure and language barriers, families in Dushanbe rarely ventured outside the city on their own. However, Tro- fim’s unique programming afforded the embassy com- munity multiple opportunities to escape the capital and enjoy the natu- ral beauty of the country. He is perhaps best known for such jaunts, includ- ing camping trips to the glacier lake of Iskanderkul and the Nurek Reservoir, a trek through Varzob gorge and a visit to the historical Hissar fortress. Most popular of all, however, was the five- day road trip to neighboring Uzbekistan—a logistical feat to be sure—involving multiple embassy vehicles and result- ing in many happy travelers. Some regarded the trip as a highlight of their entire tour in Tajikistan. Finally, Trofim frequently encouraged embassy staff to participate in philanthropic efforts to benefit surrounding communities (e.g., a holi- day donation drive for local orphans). For his efforts, Trofim received the highest rating for a CLO among all South and Central Asian posts in the 2014 International Coopera- tive Administrative Support Service customer satisfaction survey. His award nominator described him as dedicated, enthusiastic and hardwork- ing, emphatically stating: “He is exceptionally deserving of this award.” When asked what moti- vated him to work as hard as he did, Trofim was as COURTESYOFALEXEITROFIM Embassy Dushanbe community members explore Lake Iskanderkul and its surroundings on a Trofim-organized trip. AFSA/JOAQUINSOSA humble as they come. “I always believed in the resourcefulness, creativity and enthusiasm of my fellow community members,” he said. “I saw my role as merely combining those resources and empowering people to make their own lives in Dushanbe better.” Trofim worked as a local staff member for the Peace Corps in Moldova from 1998 to 2011. He and his wife, Jenna, a USAID Foreign Service officer, have also served in Manila and are thrilled to be heading to Accra for their next assignment. n Alexei Trofim (right) poses with Guess Award sponsor and CEO of Clements Worldwide, Jon Clements. AFSA EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE AWARDS