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.

On the 25th of May, 2018, for the first time the “Little Prince” social center of Gyumri participated in the Presidential Award for “the best local organization of child care and protection” competition in Vanadzor. Children from different regions of Armenia participated in the competition by 12 groups with 10 participants in each of them. The final competition took place at the sport center of Vanadzor. The aim of the competition was to make the physical culture and sport popular, as well as to raise the importance of physical culture and to organize health care and large-scale local activities among the child care and protection institutions in Armenia.

On February 13, the Feast of the Holy Candlemas was celebrated at the Gyumri Elderly Day Care Center of Armenian Caritas. The holiday was honored by Father Mashtots Zahteryan, who explained the meaning of the holiday. After the Lord’s Prayer the beneficiaries circulated around and sang songs. In the end the center’s beneficiaries, volunteers and staff jumped over the bonfire. Later everyone was expecting a feast. All beneficiaries, volunteers and staff were happy and enjoyed the days. According to the Center’s beneficiaries, the center allows not only spend fine time in the center but also to memorize and celebrate such national and religious holidays.

July 13 was a very memorable and heart-touching day for “Armenian Caritas.” It was a day when “Armenian Caritas” received Mr. Norbert Mathis and Mr. Martin Hagleitner Huber, the Head of Department of Caritas Austria to honor one of its most dedicated and devoted friends, a volunteer from Caritas Austria, Mr. Norbert Mathis whose decades-long friendship planted seeds of faith in all “Armenian Caritas” projects and beyond. As the Executive Director of “Armenian Caritas” Gagik Tarasyan mentioned “all these years have been symbolizing not only a response to the needs presented, but a heartfelt initiative to change the lives of people.” Mr.

June 30 was a special day for “Armenian Caritas.” The initiating founder and Board Member of “AC” Mrs. Zevart Nadjarjan was awarded a Gold Medal of the RA Ministry of Diaspora. To acknowledge the efforts and dedication of Mrs. Nadjarian, the RA MoD convened a ceremony in honor of Mr. and Mr. Nadjarian awarding also a prominent journalist Mr. Nadjarian whose contribution to the newly independent Armenian can hardly be overestimated. The MoD Minister Mrs. Hranush Hakobyan highly appreciated the contribution this family made during all these years and mentioned that “our country has been developed by genuine efforts and profound contribution of such people as Nadjarian family.” The decision of the Nadjarians to enter Armenia in mid-1990th was based on the insupportable socio-economical and living conditions of the people after the Independence,