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 Dramataic Square to Vardanants 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.

Within the framework of Contributing to Better Protection of Migrant Workers through Strengthening Partnership in Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Russia program human rights defender Valentina Chupik from program partner Tong Jahoni organisation was in Armenia. The goal of her visit was to train RA State Employment Agency employees and partner NGO representatives so that they could provide pre-departure counseling to Armenian migrants leaving for Russia. She presented the challenges that Armenians migrants face in Russia and how they can handle them. If you face migration related problems in Russia, you can get free of charge and 24-hour counseling by calling +7926 8347602.

Starting from the coming school year Shirak region will pass to overall inclusion. Till that a study was conducted in 12 schools of the region within the framework of “Community Action for Full Inclusion in Education” project. On February 22 the project closing conference was organized in Gyumri Technological Center with participation of the Head of EU Delegation to Armenia Piotr Świtalski, Member of Parliament Sophia Hovsepyan, Deputy Minister of Education and Science Lusine Arakelyan, Shirak Governor Tigran Petrosyan, Deputy Mayor Ruben Sanoyan, etc. The conference was opened by the song “We are all equal” prepared by the students of Artik school N1.

Within the framework of Promotion of Volunteer Structure and Volunteerism in Eastern European Countries project Armenian Caritas in cooperation with Armenian Tree Project has been carrying out an ecological micro-project since December of last year. Within the frames of this micro-project, volunteers and Gyumri Little Prince Social Centre children with the couching of the experts of Armenian Tree Project created an organic compost facility to get nutrient-rich compost from the remnants of food, made a seat from plastic bottles, a table, benches and chairs from pallets and Christmas tree and a snowman from tires. On the 16th of January the same group of people came together to make mattresses for the benches made by them.

On December 19, AC year-end meeting took place at Emily Aregak Center headed by the president of Armenian Caritas Raphael Archbishop Minassian. The activities of 2018 were summed up during the meeting, which was started with blessings of Archbishop Minassian and the Lord’s Prayer. “Caritas is not just a common workplace, where you can hold a well-paid position. Caritas is a humanitarian, charitable mission, which seeks to improve social life, to help people, to serve and support people with disabilities. In these fields Caritas officials should be only humanists. So our approach for 2019 must be kind, but, at the same time,