Once a highly developed industrial and agricultural area, the region of Syunik deteriorated drastically as a result of Armenia’s challenging economic and social transition caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union. As a result of the breakdown of collective farms and privatization of rural lands, farmers were left without assets and financial means to cultivate their land and support their families.

World Vision launched Sisian ADP in 2004 to help address the needs of these disadvantaged communities in Sisian and Goris districts of Syunik. The goal of Sisian ADP is to contribute to healthy and sustainable development of communities living with Christian values.

Health Care

• 12,915 primary medical services and consultations were provided to the population of 17 remote and hard-to-reach communities through Mobile Outreach Teams.
• Community Health Funds were created in 12 communities to improve access to pharmaceuticals and support the hospital treatment of community members.
• The roof of Sisian hospital, X-ray cabinet and mammography cabinet in Goris hospital were completely renovated.  Eight health posts were renovated and furnished.
• Community health funds were established in 12 communities to improve access to pharmaceuticals and in-patient treatment.
• Training sessions for health care providers on “Integrated Management of Child Illnesses”, “Well child care”, “Rational drug use”, “Electrocardiogram reading”, “Eye care”, Otoscopy”, “Spirometry” and “Communications with the patients”, “Basic nursing procedures”, “First aid to the child” for 270 participants were conducted. 
• First aid skills training session was organized for 200 school children from remote communities. 
• 500 mothers/caregivers were trained on healthy and sick child care and nutrition at home. 
• About 45 community peer educators were trained on quarterly basis on common health issues to share the knowledge among community members.
• 34 peer educators aged 14-17 were trained on “HIV prevention and safe sexual behavior promotion”.
• 60 school teachers were trained on “HIV prevention and safe sexual behavior promotion”.
• Safe drinking water through renovation of the supply system was provided to Shakie, Angeghakot, Darbas and Tolors villages.
• 5 ambulances and 24 village health posts were provided with medical items.
• The ADP started the implementation of the National Programme on HIV prevention. About 60 school children (8-9 grades) from 8 communities participated in a five-day training. After, these children will educate their peers in their community schools.
• About 105 people from 24 communities participated in the awareness raising meetings on “HIV and AIDS prevention”.
• 579 parents/caregivers trained on child health and nutrition.
• 305 mothers exposed to learn about diarrhea management.
• 395 children participated to HIV, STI, and Sexual health education training sessions.
• About 500 people from 24 communities participated in the awareness raising meetings on Health State Standards and monitored the quality of health services.

Education

• From 2007-2010 17 kindergartens were renovated providing opportunities to about 600 children to receive pre-school education.
• 2500 children during the year passed health check-ups, of which 250 children received dental services, about 50 children went to cryptorchism and other type of treatment.
• Gifts-in-kind were distributed to more than 2,500 children and their families, vulnerable people.
• Professional assistance was provided to disabled children in inclusive education groups in kindergartens and children living in especially difficult circumstances.
• Fourteen playgrounds with attractive merry-go-round were constructed in the yards of the kindergartens in rural communities.
• Competitions on various topics among the student councils of 24 rural communities in Sisian and Goris regions were organized. Children were granted with different small projects, such as park establishment in their school yard, or school furniture provision.
• 450 children participated in a 7-day Green camp, where they had the opportunity to learn about the environmental issues. After children organised a marching campaign in their community for awareness raising purposes.
• Angeghakot, Shaghat, Shakie, Karahundj, Khot kindergartens were assisted for cultivation of onion for income generation purposes.
• Sarnakunk, Gorhaik, Ltsen, Lor, Ashotavan schools were provided with bee-hives for income generation purposes.
• Khot kindergarten was provided with chicken incubator for income generation purposes.
• In 22 communities the quality of education services at schoolswas monitored through the involvement of student councils, teachers’ councils and parents’ councils.
• In 2010, 400 children of vulnerable families spent 10 days in a Christian summer camp in Jermuk, where they enjoyed Bible study classes and learned about Christian values.
• Heating system was installed in Sarnakunk, Angeghakot, Shaghat, Sisian N.4, Karahundj, Goris N.1, Brnakot kindergartens.
• In fifteen communities Sunday schools and clubs were opened for children to receive Christian education.
• 168 children/youth involved in lifeskills development for emergency situations.
• 145 community members involved in monitoring of quality of services provided by educational facilities.
• 4323 children/youth participating in spiritual nurture initiatives.
• 148 children/youth involved in Christian Summer Camps annually.
• 3 projects initiated by children/youth aimed at environmental protection and DRR elaborated and updated in 20 communities with children participation.
• 822 of children/youth participating in mini-projects aimed at caring for others, community and environment.
• 20 of children/youth are members in regional/national youth networks.
• 27 child protection actors trained.
• Children have access to safe yard to play in 16 communities.
• 34 community mini-projects initiated by children.
• About 400 children/youth participating in mini-projects aimed at solving issues affecting their lives.
• 48 children/youth involved in monitoring of public services.
• 265 children had opportunity to participate to extracurricular activities, 231 children participated to child/youth initiated and implemented projects, 148 children attended summer camps.

Economic Development

From 2007-2010 the ADP’s economic development activities were focused on three main areas: improvement of social-economic conditions of farm households, existing community based organizations, such as schools and kindergartens, and empowering community development foundations so that they can take active role in development of their own communities.

• Farm families of 8 villages received cows, sheep, chickens, goats, and after one production cycle contributed money and production means for the establishment of community funds to be used only for the community development puposes. 
• Supplementary farms were established for 3 schools and 3 kindergartens. Today the farms can produce dairy products for children.
• Agricultural machinery, like tractor with tools, cereal combine were provided to 3 villages helping farmers receive cheaper and timely services. 
• Goat cheese production unit was established in Halidzor village. Farm families who received goats within World Vision economic projects will be able to sell milk to the cheese making unit and generate cash income.
• Agricultural market was established on Yerevan-Goris high-way, where population of Sisian and Goris regions are able to sell their produce.
• Fruit collection unit is established in Shinuhair village, where population of more than five villages can supply their agricultural products.
• 372 of households involved in ED projects supported by WV.
• 66 of most vulnerable households involved in ED projects supported by WV.
• 26 of agricultural households applying modern agricultural technology.
• 36 of farmers trained in new technologies.
• 36 of youth involved in vocational education.

Civil Society

• The community based organisation – “Salvard” rural development foundation and “Partnership and teaching” NGO were supported and empowered in order to take over the community development responsibility at the regional level.
• Student councils of 22 communities participated in the trainings in order to take active role in decision making in their schools and communities.
• About 500 people were acquainted with the health allowance state order in order to protect their rights.
• The NGO network with 19 member organizations established in the region to monitor the quality of education, health and local government services.
• LSGs supported for implementation of community development projects in seven communities. Issues, like drinking water, community lights, cultural house renovation, cattle breeding network, business center establishment have been raised and got assistance.

Sisian ADP office
1b Khanjian str., Sisian, Syunik marz
Tel. (0283) 06 532