World Vision Armenia
Gyumri Area Development Programme
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Area Development Programs (ADPs) are multi-sectoral programs that focus on well-being of children, and entail 15 years’ commitment to communities. ADPs are predominantly funded through child sponsorship. ADPs are focused on encouraging community participation and ownership in addressing the needs of the most marginalized and vulnerable groups. The projects implemented with the active involvement of communities aim to improve the level of food security and nutrition, ensure access to education and healthcare for children, promote their spiritual development, rehabilitation of living conditions and infrastructure in communities, and income generation. |
World Vision’s first ADP in Armenia was established in 2000 in Gyumri, the second largest city in the North-West of the country that suffered tremendously after the earthquake of 1988. The earthquake destructed almost the two third of the city, and there was an urgent need to build new houses for homeless people. Most of the buildings were erected in the suburbs of the city, and many were not completed as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union.
All these brought to the lack of infrastructure which hindered the adequate functioning of communities. Although the region has been renamed from Disaster Area to Development Area, it still is in need of infrastructural development, civil society institutionalization, strengthening educational and Health Care institutions.
The goal of Gyumri ADP is contributing to the unified and developed communities, living in better social conditions, reborn in spiritual values and having faith in a better future.
The ADP includes two villages and four urban districts constructed in the outskirts of the city after the earthquake.
Health Care
Capacity building in Health Care
- Training sessions on Healthy lifestyle, personal hygiene, nutrition and care were conducted for community medical workers, community members and school children of different ages.
- Necessary medical equipment was provided to the Red Cross Policlinic, Enricco Matte Policlinic, Marmashen and Hovuni village health posts, and schools.
- Training sessions were organized for community representatives to provide them with the knowledge on protecting their rights in Health sphere.
Educating on HIV and AIDS and Reproductive Health
- Training sessions on Reproductive Health were organized for women and children of 8-10 grades. Later these children also conducted peer-to-peer training in their communities.
- Trainings on HIV/AIDS and STDs are continuously organized for community representatives, high school children to raise their awareness about the epidemic.
- Public social advertisements on HIV and AIDS with the aim to reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS, are regularly broadcasted on local Shant TV.
- Educational materials in Armenian covering HIV and AIDS related issues were distributed in all ADP communities.
Church Partnership
Enrooted Christian values and education in communities, increased role of the Church in spiritual and social life of the communities
- Teachers of community schools participated in trainings in Tsaghkadzor, and in an annual conference with the aim to equip them with the knowledge on conducting spiritual education to young people. These activities are conducted with the support of Armenian Apostolic church.
- Christmas celebrations were organized for 2850 schoolchildren (1-6 grades). Easter celebrations were organized for 1000 kindergarten age children. Children received presents and booklets highlighting the spirit of Christ’ resurrection.
- Seven-day Christian summer camps were organized for 600 children, where they enjoyed games, bible study classes, and nutritious meals. They had the opportunity to socialize with each other and make friends, as children from poor and vulnerable families are often deprived of such entertaining activities.
- Site-seeing tours were organized to the historical sites of Armenia. Around 400 children visited historical sites of Armenia such as Haghpat, Smbatavank, Oshakan, Harij, Garni and Geghard monasteries. In the sites, cleaning of the areas of monasteries was organized.
- Gyumri ADP assisted the Armenian Apostolic Church in implementation of such projects as Computer Classes, Christian Family clubs, and Carpet knitting classes. The Church directed the generated income of these classes to organize Easter celebrations for 200 community members and to purchase the necessary equipments and supplies for the continuous operation of these and other activities.
- Regular support is provided to two Sunday Schools and Christian Family Clubs where children and parents come together with the priest and have discussions on bible.
Promoting Child Rights protection in ADP communities through enhanced partnership among stakeholders
- 3 schools were partially renovated within student councils’ initiatives’.
- Computer classroom was equipped within Night Care Institution, students councils premises renovated and necessary equipment provided.
- Families of 14 deinstitutionalized children benefited from Economic Development component in conjunction with USAID/DCOF project.
- 3 Community Child Centers in Gyumri area were provided with appropriate furniture and necessary supplies.
- Psychological support was provided to community children and parents if necessary.
- Trainings for 200 teachers and nurses were organized on how to work with children with special needs.
- Trainings were organized on inclusive education for 51 parents of children with and without special needs.
- Heating systems were installed in 3 kindergartens as a result 520 children benefited.
- Dairy food products were provided in 4 kindergartens for 600 kindergarten children.
- Drawing, singing, handicraft, sewing, dancing, piano, English, Bible study, photo and computer classes are regularly conducted for children in Community child centers. 800 children and parents participated in various events organized in child centers.
- Professional literature in Armenian language and development materials for children were provided to the community child centers.
- 17 training activities were organized for about 400 parents on “Parental skills” and “Children rights”. A forum was also organized for 29 school children who came together to raise issues on child rights.
- Active cooperation with local educational institutions and local authorities has been established to strengthen Student Councils and Parent Committees. Round table discussions were facilitated with participation of community Student Councils to develop the annul action plan for FY’10.
- Round table on Disabled Child Rights protection was conducted to establish a Child Protection Network with local NGOs and state representatives.
- Child Rights Protection events were organized with participation of community Student Councils to identify and express the issues and come up with their own suggestions.
- In partnership with the Northern Service of Seismic Protection (under the Ministry of Emergency Situations) RA trainings on Disaster Preparedness were continuously implemented since 2008. As of December 2011, training sessions were conducted in all schools (9) of Gyumri ADP with participation of around 2000 children (of 6-8 grades). This partnership will be continued to raise awareness on disaster mitigation and preparedness among the children.
- Training sessions on “disaster preparedness and rules of behavior for protecting from natural disasters, earthquakes” were organized for total 450 children participating in summer camps.
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Cooperation with local condominiums (7) is in process to strengthen them in better provision of basic services to the community.
Gyumri ADP office
10 Paruyr Sevak st., Gyumri, Shirak marz
Tel: (0312) 6 35 23
In spotlight
| Support Office: | World Vision US |
| Sponsored Children: | 3.700 |
| Beneficiaries: | 30.000 |
ATTACHED PROJECTS
mail wvarmenia@wvi.org WV ® 2007