Since launching the Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Program (BCPP) in Tavush province, Armenia, FAR has focused on helping rural children and youth find creative outlets through hobby and extracurricular activities. Since 2014, FAR has established a number of after-school groups in different communities of Berd region, making activities like sewing, embroidery, wood carving, painting, and carpet weaving accessible to more than 800 kids who previously had limited opportunities. What began as a novelty has grown into a valued program, with more and more children eager to learn and develop new skills.
"Through this initiative, we’ve sparked motivation in children who, hopefully, will pursue their interests professionally down the line,” says Lusik Aghababyan, Executive Director of the Tavush Foundation.
In 2023, FAR expanded BCPP to the Ijevan and Noyemberyan regions, introducing these extracurricular activities there as well. Sixteen students, ages 7 to 12, are now part of the carpet weaving group in Voskevan community of Noyemberyan region, launched in the fall of 2023.
Anna Avagyan, the group instructor, sees extracurriculars as a way to nurture kids’ passions. “Once they discover what they enjoy, it’s only natural they’d want to dive deeper,” she explains. “My goal with the carpet weaving group was to help students explore their aspirations. Many of them now have a clear vision for their future careers and are already focusing on their goals — a big achievement!” She adds, “There’s a stereotype that carpet weaving is outdated, but that’s simply not true. Today, woven designs are used in all kinds of modern ways, like on bags, dishes, pillows, and beddings.”
Eduard Karapetyan, FAR’s ANSEF and Educational Programs Director, emphasizes that these groups build more than just skills; they help preserve cultural traditions and instill confidence in young people. “FAR’s extracurricular groups in Berd, Sisian, and now in Noyemberyan have opened new doors for kids, offering structured, purposeful ways to spend their free time while exploring and growing their abilities. These activities make their routines more engaging and help keep folk crafts alive,” he says.
Since 2013, the multi-faceted and comprehensive BCPP has promoted activities that generate positive and sustainable impact for families in Berd, Ijevan and Noyemberyan Regions of Tavush Province. BCPP is generously funded by the Mardigian Family Foundation.
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