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Developing Threads of Growth for Students with Special Needs


The first time Davit stepped into the carpet weaving class, he immediately felt at home. The bright, cozy space at Parakar's James and Marta Batmasian Vocational Training Center—where students with and without disabilities learn side by side—offered a sense of comfort. For Davit Arzakanyan, a 17-year-old with autism, this classroom became a special place where he could explore new interests like carpet weaving and share those experiences with his classmates.


Diagnosed with autism at the age of two, Davit has always had a unique way of seeing the world. Though social interactions can be challenging for him, he has never had trouble expressing himself to his biggest supporter, his grandmother Araksya Davtyan. Every day, Mrs. Araksya brings him to school and picks him up in the afternoon. “I see little changes in him every day,” she shares with a smile. “He’s loved puzzles since he was little, so maybe that’s why he took to carpet weaving. He’s always been organized, but now he’s really fine-tuning those skills. At home, he’s become calmer. We even cook together—he listens when I ask him to cut the potatoes or help mix ingredients for a cake.”

In addition to improving his ability to recognize colors, Davit has also sharpened his letter and number recognition skills. He can now confidently write his name on the blackboard. “We’re working on map reading skills now, so he can follow a pattern for weaving carpets. This is his first large piece. His first project was a small carpet that he took home,” Armine, his carpet weaving teacher, shares their current goal.


Carpet weaving isn’t just a class—it’s a therapeutic activity. Along with learning to weave, the students at Parakar also explore culinary arts, hairstyling, gardening, and more. The focus of these programs is carefully chosen to help children with disabilities develop practical skills. “Weaving is particularly helpful for concentration, motor skills, and color recognition,” explains Armine. “Plus, we use natural materials like thread, which helps with sensory development. The colors provide a form of therapy, and working with both hands strengthens motor and brain function. We even turn on classical music, often piano pieces, to create a calming atmosphere.”


For Davit, this class has been transformative. His ability to focus, once a struggle, has greatly improved. He now works on his carpet for longer stretches, taking only short breaks when needed and pacing himself when he feels tired.

The Parakar School has become a haven for young people like Davit, offering them a safe space to grow and thrive. But they need our support to continue making these small, meaningful changes. Join us in standing by them and donate to FAR today.


Parakar School for Children and Youth with Special Needs, reborn through the generosity of FAR’s incredible donors Marta and James Batmasian, the Mirak-Weissbach Foundation, and the New York Friends of Gavar Special School, stands tall as a beacon in vocational education training for Armenia’s youth, including those with disabilities. Since the completion of our five-year project that completely reshaped the culture of educating children with disabilities in the school, the number of students enrolled in the culinary arts program and various other skills training programs at Parakar's new James and Marta Batmasian Vocational Training Center has soared. It's a testament to the transformative power of compassion and commitment.

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