Funding: World Vision US,
WV Regional Office

Throughout the centuries Armenia withstood the hardships caused by constant wars but could maintain Christian identity, and preserve its truly Christian traditions and culture. However, the gap appeared during the Soviet period when several generations of Armenians grew up with a significant lack of their spiritual education. As a result, there are few skilled teachers and parents who are able to nurture children’s spiritual growth.

World Vision pursues the mission of restitution and growth of spiritual values of Armenians through supporting Armenian Church to promote Christian education.

Within WV’s Youth Bible Curriculum project (YBC) Christian educational textbooks for children of different age groups and teacher manuals were developed, printed and distributed in close partnership with Armenian Apostolic Church.

In 2010 together with Armenian Apostolic Church WV provided trainings to 140 teachers of Sunday and regular schools from different regions of Armenia on YBC methodology with an aim to educate children about Christian faith and traditions. About 12,000 copies of Christian textbooks for children and about 800 manuals for teachers were distributed in Armenia’s communities. Moreover, about 2500 Christian educational booklets and books, including Bibles, were allocated to communities through cooperation with Armenian Church.

Church partnership works mainly through 9 Area Development Programs (ADPs) in different regions (marzes) of Armenia. In 2010 it continued to carry out social projects together with community churches, such as establishment of 17 computer classrooms within church facilities, a cultural-historical club in Talin, puppet theaters in Ijevan and Vanadzor, various youth and adult Christian education clubs close to Armenian churches.

Local priests from ADP communities continued providing trainings on HIV and AIDS prevention and fighting against stigma and discrimination, based on the knowledge received through WV’s Channels of Hope (COH) methodology training.

Every summer World Vision provides vulnerable children with an opportunity to enjoy a friendly and joyful environment within Christian summer camps, where besides nutritious meals, recreational activities and fun time children participate in Bible studies, learn the history of Armenian Church and recognize Christian values. During summer 2010 nearly 2100 children from different regions and Yerevan including children with special needs had a chance to spend their holidays in World Vision summer camps.