Alaverdi district is situated in the North-East of Lori Marz, consisting of 27 rural and 4 urban communities. World Vision Armenia initiated a three-month assessment in Alaverdi region that revealed the regional socio-economic weaknesses.

The economic sector in Alaverdi province is underdeveloped despite the significant potential for economic growth including: favorable environmental capital (mild climate, forests, etc.), human capital (specialists that used to work in agro-product processing factories during the soviet times), and demand in the sort of fruits and vegetables growing in this area.

Vulnerabilities in economic development sector include lack of value chains and accessible markets, low cost/profit efficiency of animal breeding and land cultivation due to lack of knowledge on modern technologies and lack of organized farming structures as well as lack of micro-credit opportunities in the region. This situation is exacerbated by massive seasonal migration flows that seek labor mainly in Russia.

Alaverdi Area Development Program has been launched in 2008. The goal of Alaverdi ADP is to achieve transformed structures, systems and relationships in communities ensuring well being of children and their families. Alaverdi ADP includes 9 communities and targets 10,849 population out of whom 2,570 are children.

Church Partnership

•    Sunday Schools were furnished in 2 communities (Haghpat and Qarinj).
•    Christmas and Easter celebrations were organized in 10 ADP communities.
•    Christian education manuals and books were distributed in communities to raise the quality and accessibility of Christian education.

Child Protection

•    18 children with special needs involved in Alaverdi Child Development Centre's inclusive group received professional assistance from speech therapists, psychologists and social workers.
•    Training on inclusive education was organized for 6 kindergarten educators, elementary school teachers as well as Child Development Centre specialists from Alaverdi town and 3 communities.
•    Community social workers were actively engaged in protecting rights of children with special needs and raising awareness on their rights.
•    Slope was established in Haghpat and Chochkan community schools.

Child Sponsorship

Nine out of 10 communities of Alaverdi ADP is included in the Child Sponsorship Programme (nearly 1000 children). By 2012 the number of the children will reach 2.500. Within the programme training was provided to teachers, student council members and parents to enhance their knowledge about the Programme and include them in child monitoring processes.

Education

•    Two playgrounds were established in 2 communities (Arevatzag, Haghpat)
•    Two kindergartens were renovated in Haghpat, Akhtala communities, and one established in Ayrum
•    Didactic materials were provided to schools and kindergartens
•    Mghart school was provided with heating system
•    Sports equipment was provided to 2 schools of Akhtala and Akori kindergarten
•    Sewage system was renovated in Mghart, Jiliza, Kachachkut community schools

Healthcare

•    3 community medical centres were renovated with World Vision's support and in cooperation with cummunity members.
•    Trainings were organised for community medical workers, community members and 8-10 grade students on Healthy Lifestyle, HIV and AIDS prevention, Reproductive Health.
•    Medical posts of 10 communities were provided with medical manuals, booklets and other publications.
•    Kachachkut community and school health posts were renovated

Economic Development

•    Two communities were included in the project of vegetable cultivation by applying modern methods. After participating in the training, 5 beneficiaries per each community started implementing the new methods of cultivation. World Vision provided them with fertilizers to keep the cultivation process safe.
•    Greenhouse was established on the land plot of Qarinj community beneficiary to be used to grow vegetables with new methods. The 30% of the crop will be provided to the kindergarten and will provide other beneficiaries with seedlings. School children often visit the green house as an open class and get to know the vegetable growing process.
•    Berry collecting unit was established in Chochkan community
•    Chochkan and Maghart communities are provided with agricultural means
•    Jiliza community people were provided to beehives.

Alaverdi ADP office
52 Zoravar Andranik st., Alaverdi, Lori marz
Tel. (0253) 24001