Our Ayo! platform has decided to collaborate with two teachers in rural areas to help them achieve their shared goal: installing science labs in each of their schools. Ayo!’s recently-launched Fill the Gap. Build a Lab. project will ensure that students in regional schools have better access to higher-quality education.

Although public schools are free of charge, schools located outside of Yerevan typically lack both teachers and well-equipped classrooms. This means that many schools are without the proper resources needed to provide a high educational standard and equal access to education for students.

Teach for Armenia, a member of the Teach for All global network, aims to combat this widespread issue by providing equal educational opportunity to all children in Armenia through the recruitment and training of exceptional individuals to teach in schools located in underprivileged communities for a minimum of two years.

In the three years since Teach for Armenia was founded, many fellows—teachers of geography, biology, physics, chemistry and English language — have filled these vacancies, and thus brought higher-quality education to these regions of Armenia, where they have helped children to grow and fulfill their curiosity toward these subjects.

Lusine Vardumyan teaches at Getashen Village School in the Armavir Province. The village is located 70 km away from Yerevan, close to Turkish border. Since the school does not have any actual science labs, only theory can be taught in class. This impacts the level of interest toward these subjects, and results in a very low number of students who actually want to pursue science education and eventual careers in science. Lusine had the idea of building a physics and chemistry lab at the Getashen school so that students could have the opportunity to study the subjects through hands-on experimentation.

Venera Abovyan is another Teach for Armenia fellow who teaches biology and chemistry at Shamiram Village School in Aragatsotn Province. For years, children in the school didn’t have biology and chemistry classes because there was no one to teach them. Then Venera arrived. “It’s very difficult for children to learn these two completely new courses in theory without having a lab where they can see everything in practice and do experiments,” said Venera, who believes a science lab could be a significant investment for the betterment of the school’s students.

The labs will ultimately help to boost the resources of two schools, and also spark the curiosity of the children who are eager to learn.

Join Ayo! and say yes to brighter educational prospects for Armenia’s children!

Many people may not see beyond Lousig Barsumian’s quiet temperament. Indeed, her bright mind, inexhaustible energy, ability to plan and think of every detail, and her purposefulness may not all be revealed at first glance.

Lousig, 35, was born and raised in Syria. Six years ago, she left on a 10-day vacation to Armenia with her husband Arman, and their then three-year-old daughter, Alik. They decided to stay forever.

“On the third day of the trip, my husband decided that we would not go back,” recalled Lousig. In Syria, Arman, 38, had been a silversmith, and the area where his shop was located had already been hit hard by the war. They decided that it wasn’t reasonable for the family to return. They left all of their property in Aleppo, as it wasn’t possible to transport it to Armenia due to the war. Lousig’s wedding rings, however, which she had left in Syria for the trip, were later sent to her by her family. From that day on, they began their new life in Armenia—searching for jobs, a kindergarten, and a place to live.

“Three months later, I found a job as an assistant to an accountant, but it was tough as it was very different from the practices I knew in Syria. When I got pregnant with my son, I stopped working,” said Lousig, a professional accountant who had worked for 12 years at one of the leading interior design companies in Syria. When her son turned one, she was able to busy herself with her second craft—making and selling jewelry.

“I was making bijous (fancy, hand-made accessories) for 12 years in Syria. First, it was a hobby. Then it became a serious job. I was mostly working with beads, and I even gave classes. I also wanted to cook professionally, but this was a long-range plan,” said Lousig, with a warm smile. In Armenia, she has attended five different culinary courses organized by UNHCR and other organizations. “I learned Armenian and French cuisine, baking…. Yet, I found it difficult to start a business.”

The different organizations then helped Lousig to start. To make sure that taking culinary training was not a waste of time they recommended her to their partners. Soon, the lunch orders started to come in. Then people wanted cakes, which is what she most loves to make.

Nine months ago, Lousig registered her family catering company and bakery, which she currently runs out of her home, as Moon Bakery. Just a few days later, she found out that she received a grant and a zero-interest loan from FAR’s Small Business Assistance Program. She used the financial support to purchase a refrigerator, an oven, a mixer, and various containers and cake decorating equipment.

The program, which started in 2016, has already supported 17 Syrian-Armenian business owners, three of whom, including Lousig, are women, thus helping to lay a foundation for their economic integration in Armenia.

“If I get an order for a hard-to-cook cake, it makes me happy since I’m always up for the challenge,” said Lousig. She tries to make her cakes and biscuits as unique as possible as a way to try and develop her niche within the huge variety of similar businesses in Yerevan.

She also continues to help her husband, who was the first Syrian-Armenian to start selling silver at Vernisage market in Yerevan. Lousig designs silver jewelry that her husband later has crafted by local jewelers, and which are then exhibited and sold both in Armenia and abroad.

“In Syria, it was enough for just one person to work and help a large family to live a decent life. Yet, I can’t just sit around and do nothing. I would work as an accountant and would make handmade accessories on the side. I love working. Yet, here, in Armenia, you must work to live. Good thing that the number of orders I receive keeps increasing over time,” she said. Lousig is persistent now, and the family will stay in Armenia. “It was easy for us to set up. It was difficult to get things working and ensuring the means to make a living. Now, it’s become our usual life.”

On the eve of International Women’s Day, Lousig wishes all women good health and calls them to always create something of their own.

We at FAR are so proud to have supported this young, determined business woman. We wish all the best for you and your family, Lousig!

St. Vartan Camp provides an environment for young Armenian-American Christians to grow and flourish as they learn about and develop a deeper understanding of their Armenian faith and culture, overlooking the scenic Catskill Mountains in Greenville, NY – Open to campers ages 8-15. CITs – ages 16 & 17.  Staff, ages 18+. Registration is now open for campers. Applications for CITs & Staff are available to download. Program Dates – Staff Training: June 20-23; Session A: June 24 – July 7; Session B: July 8 – 21; Session C: July 22 – August 4. Click to register online. 

Through a collaboration between Gyumri Information Technology Center (GTech) and Shirak Regional College, one of the region’s high schools, Shirak students can gain practical experience at GTech, thus enhancing their knowledge and competencies. About 100 Shirak students intern at GTech two to three times per week. In addition, GTech staff frequently provide advice and feedback about course curricula at Shirak.

The head of the school’s IT department, Gohar Khachatryan, is certain that practical training is invaluable and can help students to specialize. “We have been collaborating with GTech for about 10 years now, and our students are enrolled in practical training. Moreover, our instructors took development courses at the center,” said Ms. Khachatryan. More, the advanced students continue their education at GTech after they graduate. Some even stay on and work there.

Larisa Yeghoyan and Susanna Mkrtchyan are enrolled in the faculty of Software Engineering and Automated Systems at Shirak Regional College, where they are seniors. They never miss the chance to enhance their programming skills at GTech and they want to go deeper into JAVA programming, in particular.

“What matters most for us is that here at GTech we are closer to the job market. The other priority for us is that we have an opportunity to put our knowledge into practice,” said Susanna.

“Yes, the IT environment here is very encouraging. Regardless of what you want to explore, it makes you want to continue,” added Larisa Yeghoyan.

St. Vartan Camp provides an environment for young Armenian-American Christians to grow and flourish as they learn about and develop a deeper understanding of their Armenian faith and culture, overlooking the scenic Catskill Mountains in Greenville, NY – Open to campers ages 8-15. CITs – ages 16 & 17.  Staff, ages 18+. Registration is now open for campers. Applications for CITs & Staff are available to download. Program Dates – Staff Training: June 20-23; Session A: June 24 – July 7; Session B: July 8 – 21; Session C: July 22 – August 4. Click to register online. 

For seven years, Asya Galstyan has visited FAR’s Gyumri Atinizyan Senior Center every weekday morning to receive her main meal of the day. The 77-year-old has two daughters. She used to live with her youngest daughter a few years ago, before she moved to Yerevan to be near her four children who live and study in the capital.

“They rent a house in Yerevan. My grandchildren—a historian, a sociologist, a military intelligence officer, and an economist—study well. The other day, I was watching a TV program, when my grandchild, the sociologist, was on air. I was so proud!” Asya proudly exclaimed while eating her soup. “I eat my meal here at the soup kitchen. I don’t take it home; I don’t want to use extra resources to heat it up.”

Many who frequent the soup kitchen often try to bring a portion of it home for later, or take away additional portions to homebound loved ones. Asya explained that she tries to save on everything. Her sole income is now her monthly pension of about $79. Like many pensioners in Armenia, Asya lost her retirement in the Soviet collapse. “I even wash clothes by hand because I don’t have a washing machine. No new TV either. I live in a poor house, which is clean and tidy though.”

With love and devotion, Asya recollected the times with her Russian husband, who took great care of her and the family. He passed away in 1983, leaving Asya to raise their two children alone. For years, she had been working at the yarn factory in Gyumri, where she’d even received a Best Worker award at one point. “Upon graduating from the textile college, I started working on the factory floor, even though I had the skills to be a master assistant. During Soviet times the worker’s job was more profitable, and I could make enough money to support my kids,” she remarked.

Last year, Asya received a free eye examination thanks to a joint effort between Ayo! and the Armenian Eye Care Project (AECP). Then she had surgery for her glaucoma. She is hopeful that she will soon fully recover her vision and be able to read again.

She is grateful to FAR’s donors for extending her a helping hand. “Our cook is a master, and those who distribute the food are nice and kind, too. Thank you for everything,” she said.

FAR’s Gyumri Atinizyan Senior Center serves meals five days a week to 160 elderly.

Fifteen-year-old Anna Gabrielyan dreams of becoming a pianist. She has been taking piano lessons for the last three years in order to be able to play as well as her mother, Geghecik and her brother Rafik. Anna also sings beautifully. She has participated in numerous song festivals, most recently in November. She is able to perform songs of different genres but Armenian folk is her favorite. She also loves to dance and paint.

Anna lives with her mother and her brother in the town of Meghri in Syunik Province. Geghecik, 39, has been out of work for a long time, and with few options for employment in Megrhi she struggles to make ends meet. Rafik recently returned from the army and resumed his studies at the Automobile Engineering Department of the Agricultural Academy of Armenia.

Anna’s father Ashot died in a car crash on the road from Agarak to Meghri in 2015 on his way back from work at the Agarak Copper-Molybdenum Factory. Since his death, it has been extraordinarily hard for this family. Their total income is just $95 a month, which includes the family allowance and Anna’s benefit as the child of a single mother. Geghecik also cultivates a small plot of land behind their house where they have a few persimmon trees whose fruit they sometimes exchange for other vegetables.

This year, Anna was included in the Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP), through which she will receive annual financial support from a U.S. family until she turns 18. CASP stipends allow families to afford the additional things they are often unable to, like firewood, gas, or school supplies. Despite the family’s hardship, Anna used her last stipend to buy Raffik new clothes upon his return from the army.

The Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP) is a FAR project sponsored by the Women’s Guild Central Council of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).

Please let us know if you will be attending.
RSVP: frkrikor@holytranslators.org

Marine Khachatryan, 23, has always wanted to be a journalist. From the age of 13, she followed the country’s political processes and the work of the journalists who covered them.

To achieve her goal, Marine entered Yerevan State University’s Faculty of Journalism in 2012. In 2013, she took her first professional steps when she covered news about the City Council Elections for Hetq online. Soon after, she got involved in broadcasting and starting working for A1plus.

In 2016, after finishing her bachelor’s degree, Marine applied to the Erasmus+ Program and went to England to participate in a two-week professional development training. The same year, she applied to and received FAR’s Ester Ajemian Scholarship Program just before she nearly decided to leave the country again, this time to pursue a master’s degree in journalism. Marine calls the scholarship a breakthrough and a turning point in her academic career, as it enabled her to stay in Armenia to continue her education. She’s currently working on finishing her master’s thesis at Yerevan State University.

Another one of Marine’s dreams came true at the end of 2017 when she received the one-year Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Regional Reporting Fellowship, which includes a visit to the Radio Liberty Prague Broadcasting Center this spring.

“I started my work at Azatutyun/Radio Liberty in Yerevan on November 1st. To me, Azatutyun is the best media outlet because it follows the highest standards of journalism. Now, I can see it for myself. Choosing topics, working on the material, finding sources, preparing materials and editing them—it is all of the highest standards I’ve read about in journalism books,” said Marine. Her colleagues, she said, have become her role models in the field.

“Thanks to FAR, I stayed home. I live a meaningful life now; I like my job and my colleagues, since I am surrounded by experienced journalists. I have always imagined myself belonging to this place,” she added when talking about her daily routine at the Armenian bureau of Radio Liberty. “To me, journalism is an opportunity to change something.”

Marine frequently reports on people in need, with the hope that her work shines a light on social issues and catches the attention of the public and those in power.

Established in 2010, FAR’s Ester Ajemian Scholarship Program, which is funded by Ester Ajemian Ahnert, provides full tuition and monthly stipends to female graduate students of journalism in Armenia. Currently there are five students involved in the program. So far, more than 20 young female scholars have become proud beneficiaries.