The solemn closing ceremony of the program “First Inclusive Bakery and Cafe in Gyumri” co-financed by the European Union, “Caritas Austria” and the Austrian Development Fund took place on October 19 at “Hoktember” Cinema in Gyumri. Funded by the European Union, Austrian Development Cooperation and Caritas Austria, the “First Inclusive Bakery and Cafe in Gyumri” project implemented by Armenian Caritas encourages the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the labor market, based on their capacity building.

Within the framework of the project, on September 14, 2018, Gyumri opened its doors to the unique “Aregak” inclusive bakery and cafe in the region to help identify the possibilities of young persons with disabilities, create inclusive environments, raise awareness of people. Here residents and guests of Gyumri have the opportunity to enjoy a range of delicious bread, cakes and coffee.

Many young persons with disabilities living in Gyumri today are not only professionals, but also have a job. Anush Mkrtchyan, project beneficiary mentioned on behalf of her and her friends at the ceremony: “We can already say that we can. We have been together for over a year now and thanks to the program we have been given the opportunity to work and stabilize. We can work and prove to everyone that we can work”, said Anush Mkrtchyan.

   The Ambassador, head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Peter Svitalski welcomed all the participants of the event and mentioned that thanks to this program a corner was created which complemented the symbols of Gyumri. “Today I’m particularly happy  and I’d like to express my gratitude to Caritas Austria and the Austrian Development Fund as well as” Armenian Caritas ” and “Emili Aregak” Center and say that this is one of the best programs that made Gyumri popular” said Peter Svitalski, expressing hope that the center will continue its activities by keeping its good reputation.

   President of “Armenian Caritas” benevolent NGO, Fr. Raphael Archbishop Minassian by expressing gratitude to the implementing agencies, especially thanked the parents who had the courage to direct their children to the center and trust  “Caritas”. “Thanks not only the participants, the benefactors, but also all our children, who continued to express their abilities with enthusiasm, joy and smile,” said Fr. Raphael Minassian.

Governor of Shirak region Tigran Petrosyan, mayor of Gyumri Samvel Balasanyan, director of the project Tigranuhi Hakobyan and head of the “Caritas Austria” project Robert Moosbrugger also gave welcome speeches. “The inclusive bakery and the cafe is a model workplace for persons with disabilities where the environment created for them will best show the wide range of opportunities that  the trained people have” said Tigranuhi Hakobyan, director of the “Emili Aregak” Center.

During the event, the presentation and the film about the “First Inclusive Bakery and Cafe in Gyumri” program took place. A job fair was held in Abovyan street near the “Hoktember” cinema, accompanied by the concert program of “Aratta”.