FAR recently secured a $25,000 grant from the Open Society Institute, which will help the organization’s efforts to rehabilitate the Gavar Special School and improve its vocational training program.
The school is situated in Gegharkunik Marz, the poorest region in Armenia, and it is the only government-run school in the area targeted to disabled and handicapped children. While staff salaries and utilities are financed by the government, no funding has been dedicated to improving infrastructure until now.
FAR’s efforts will enhance the school’s vocational training in sewing, knitting, embroidery, and wood carving workshops. FAR will also re-establish Gavar’s physical training facility, which is currently devoid of equipment. In addition, the school needs to be made handicapped accessible. Over the next year, this project will help to improve the school’s capacity to serve children in need and help them gain skills they can ultimately use to support themselves.