Within the framework of “HIV/AIDS Prevention and Support in the Post-Soviet Countries” Project an information event, a flash mob and candle lighting was organized in Gyumri for the International AIDS Memorial Day. Young people added the pieces to the traditional AIDS quilt and the interested passers-by approaching the AIDS awareness symbol ribbon-stand pinned small red ribbons on it to commemorate those who died of AIDS. After they started a march with candles from Vardanants Square to Dramataic Square.
AIDS Candlelight Memorial takes place every 3rd Sunday in May, however it’s not mere Memorial Day but also a community grassroots movement to end the HIV epidemic.
Goal: Improved program design and quality management capacity of Armenian Caritas
Resulted from the tendency of continuously widening activities of the organization it becomes difficult to ensure proper follow-up and unified approach towards the diverse programmatic basis. Thus the main processes of institutional development often lack the due attention and response.
To improve the program design and quality management capacity of Armenian Caritas a Program Design Quality (PDQ) Unit and procedures need to be established. The PDQ Unit will be responsible for the establishment and follow up of the quality control mechanisms, for overseeing and providing staff development possibilities with its special attention to the Advocacy and Communication fields as well as the diversification of the funding sources and fundraising capacities of the organization.
Goal: Enhanced individual and community resilience towards disasters through preparation, response and recovery
The overall goal of this strategic programming is to enhance preparedness of AC personnel, its beneficiaries and stakeholders through ongoing knowledge, capacity and resource enrichment with the aim of facing possible emergencies with enough knowledge and behavioral skills.
The program will aim at taking actions and measures at three levels: before, during and after possible disasters and emergencies.
Initiatives will be undertaken to raise resilience in communities and their public awareness, improve emergency behavioral skills, acquire necessary technical resources and capacities,
GOAL: Mechanisms of meeting social needs, integration of the elderly in community life and mechanisms of active ageing are ensured for the disadvantaged elderly that live in difficult conditions of life.
According to the data of the RA National Statistical Service, birth rate reduction and migration outflows have led to a situation when as of January 1, 2016, the working age population (16-62 age group) makes up 66.3% (2 995,1 million) of the total number of the RA resident population. The population below working age (0-15 age group) is 20.8%, and the number of people aged 63 and over makes up 12.9% (387 659 people) of the total number of the resident population.
Goal: People with disabilities are empowered and enabling environment for inclusion is created
Persons with disabilities especially children and their families are one of the vulnerable groups supported by the Armenian Caritas. Persons with disabilities and their whole families are often times separated and isolated from the rest of the society because they are seen as an embarrassment or weakness for the entire society. In many cases, one family member is given the responsibility of caring for the disabled individual. Another concern is that society members in general are not aware of or sensitive to the living conditions of disabled people.
On 11 April, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs RA and Armenian Caritas on the launch of the first small group home in Vanadzor. The memorandum of understanding aims to increase the effectiveness of social work serving children who are in difficult life situations and their families, to change the methods of round the clock care, as well as a child’s right to live with a family.
During the meeting, reforms in the area of children, particularly the process of reorganizing institutions with round the clock care, were discussed. Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Artem Asatryan has found the current work important and hopes that within the framework of cooperation to start the reorganization process based on the needs and proper assessment of a child and and matching them with the appropriate family and social services.
On April 4, on the occasion of Motherhood and Beauty Day, within the EU funded “Recognise. Protect. Realise.” project, the “Armenian Caritas” Benevolent NGO, the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia, the Center for Coordination of Syrian-Armenians’ Issues NGO with support of Caritas Austria and the Municipality of Yerevan opened “The Breath of Syrian-Armenian Culture in Yerevan” Charity Fair near the Swan Lake. Handmade works of Syrian-Armenians, sweets and jewelry were presented at the Charity Fair.
At the Charity Fair RA Deputy Minister of Diaspora Serzh Srapionyan, Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Christoph Bierwirth,
Violeta Baghumyan is a fourteen-year-old student of Armenian Caritas’ benevolent social organization, the Emili Aregak Centre, where she receives an inclusive education.
Violeta likes to dance and paint. She paints postcards with the help of the art-therapist Mariam Vardanyan, which are either dedicated to Centre visitors or put up for sale at auction. Violeta has a Down Syndrome and an additional 5 children with Down Syndrome also attend Emili Aregak. Violeta and her friends know that March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day and every year since 2012, the United Nations has observed it. Its main purpose is to raise public awareness concerning Down Syndrome and to help contribute to the development of a more inclusive and barrier-free society.
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In the framework of the project “Preparation of 10 gold jewelry professionals in Jradzor and Aregnadem communities of Amasia region”, 10 young people gained professional skills in jewelry and metal art. The trained young people will have the opportunity to engage in individual and entrepreneurial activities in the future.
The project was implemented in the Shirak region of Armenia, in Jradzor and Aregnadik communities of the Amasia region, located in the Armenia-Turkey bordering zone. Distance from Gyumri is 18-28 km. Under the new government decision, the communities of Jradzor and Aregnadem are included in the list of borderline and high mountainous communities.
On February 27 in the International Day of Non-Governmental Organizations “Armenian Caritas” Benevolent Non-Governmental Organization presented projects funded by the European Union.
12 schools and youth from the region will participate in the project “Community action for full inclusion in education” who are trained within the framework of projects. During the meeting project teams presented the results of the work done before.
The projects “First inclusive bakery and coffee shop in Gyumri” and “Community action for full inclusion in education ” are funded by the European Union, Austrian Development Cooperation and Caritas Austria. The projects aim at creating a more inclusive environment in schools as well as train and direct young people with disabilities to labor market.
