Professional Documents
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Benevolent
NGO
On June 26th, 2010 Syunik ensure that people in remote NGO held a summer fair to regions have a dignified life. celebrate its 15th anniversary Nara Harutyunyan, a at our Social Service Center management staff member in Yeghegnadzor. The local presented the history and and foreign staff members current projects of Syunik of Syunik NGO with the NGO. She specifically talkhelp of our Youth Bank ed about the organizations members organized the fair. projects, target communiRepresentatives from partties, and current partner ner organizations, local and organizations such as EED, national governmental and EPER/HEKS, U.S. Peace nongovernmental entities Corps-Armenia, HEIFER, and media were invited to International Armenian the celebration. In his greetDentists Association, EurThe Vayk dancing club performs a traditional Armenian dance. ing speech, Bishop Abraham asia Foundation, ACCRC Mkrtchyan, the chairman of Armenia, Fund for ArmeSyunik NGOs Board, welcomed everyone and briefly talked nian Relief, GTZ, CIM, US Embassy to Armenia, FPWC, about the mission of the organization, as well as about the Union of Ethnic Minorities, Union of Azeri Women, Laactivities and projects implemented during the 15 year his- zarus NGO, Jinishian Memorial Foundation. The role of tory of the organization. He congratulated everyone on our donor organizations was emphasized and a special gratitude 15th anniversary and talked about the organizations per- was extended to them for their continuous support and cospectives on how to further develop local communities and operation.
Chess club members compete against one another at the chess competition that was held at the Summer Fair.
Different groups from our SSCs in Jermuk, Vayk, and Yeghegnadzor performed various dance, songs, and poetry. Students and children were given the chance to show what they have learned during their time at our SSCs. The celebration also included an exhibition, providing visitors with an opportunity to see handicrafts, pictures and other creative works developed by students of the SSCs. Students competed with their peers from other communities in a chess competition, which was also a good way of developing a network. At the end of the ceremony summer fair participants enjoyed refreshments provided by the Yeghegnadzor Youth Bank branch and had an opportunity to meet NGO staff members and share comments. Overall, the summer fair was a success. It brought the community together and highlighted not only the importance of the projects implemented by Syunik NGO, but also the need of such projects in local communities.
In recent years gender equality has gained more and more attention in former Soviet Union countries including Armenia. Many organizations promote gender equality in Armenia by implementing various initiatives. One of such initiatives was the Women in Armenia exhibition held by the GTZ Armenia office in cooperation with Syunik NGO. The opening of the exhibition was held at the GTZ office in Yerevan on July 19th, 2010. The exhibition consisted of portraits and stories of inspirational Armenian women from the Vayots Dzor region and Yerevan. The majority of portraits were taken and stories were written by our American and German volunteers who are actively involved in various community development projects implemented by Syunik NGO. The Women in Armenia exhibition aimed to stimulate a discussion on gender equality and womens rights in Armenia. Members of the Armenian government, NGOs, media rep-
From the left, Emily Haas, Paige Prince, Hans-Jochen Schmidt, Hendrikje Alpermann, Gayane Yenogyan, Vanessa Boas, James Macbeth and Alla Aghabekyan.
In August 2010 a new Peace Corps volunteer joined the Syunik NGO team. Meaghan is a Community Business Development IT volunteer. She has strong educational and professional background in IT and web design. Meaghan will particularly assist in updating our web site. She will conduct web design and will enhance young staff members computer skills.
In June 2010 Nara Martirosyan resumed her career at Syunik NGO after finishing her graduate studies (both masters and doctoral) in Education in the United States. In addition to her studies she worked in various capacities at the university where she studied, which allowed her to obtain additional knowledge and skills that will be utilized at Syunik NGO. Currently Nara is in charge of international and public relations at Syunik NGO.
In August 2010 Sebastian Mllner, our new EED volunteer joined the Syunik NGO team. Sebastian will work with us for one year. He is interested in IT and the social services offered by Syunik NGO. Sebastian will provide assistance to staff members in various projects, as well as will be directly involved in various activities.
Youth Bank
The goal of this project is to increase youth participation in community development by building their practical project implementation skills, as well as applying these skills in real-life situations to produce tangible change in their communities. Duration - Ongoing project, 2009 - present Donor - The Eurasia Partnership Foundation , Community Foundation of Northern Ireland, Jinishian Memorial Foundation and USAID
Summer Academy
See the article Summer Academy, our new initiative for more inforamtion about the project. Duration - Summer 2010 Donor - EED
Job Club
This projects aims to contribute to poverty reduction in the Vayots Dzor region by supporting local unemployed individuals in job seeking activities and promoting gender equality. Duration - One year, 2010-2011 Partner - GTZ
Newsletter design by Emily Haas, logo design by Meag Tessmann, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers.