Healing After the 44-Day War in the Land of Hope

In 2020, during the 44-day war in Artsakh, Taron Hakobyan’s life changed in an instant. At just 18, he witnessed the harshest realities of war--ones that left both visible and invisible wounds. After the ceasefire, he found himself at Zinvori Tun Rehabilitation Center, working to regain physical and mental strength.

It was during his time at Zinvori Tun that Taron first heard about FAR’s programs, support designed to help young people rebuild their lives and futures. For Taron, it was the start of something deeply personal.

“Growing up here, with wide yards all around our home, it’s impossible not to get involved in farming,” shares Taron who lives in Aygavan village of Ararat Province. “Even as a kid, I managed to get excellent grades but always made sure to help my parents out in the fields and the greenhouse. It’s something I’ve always loved.”

But despite their deep connection to the land, farming tomatoes hasn’t been easy. The extreme heat and fast-moving diseases made every summer a challenge.

“In the summer, the heat and diseases would take over so fast,” Taron explains. “It was heartbreaking to watch the plants suffer, and we often had to wait until September to try again.”

This year, everything changed thanks to support from FAR’s Small Business Assistance (SBA) Program. Through the program, Taron and his family received key equipment to modernize and protect their greenhouse; most importantly, a cooling system that allows them to grow tomatoes even during the hot summer months.

“We had to sprinkle chemicals once a week, but very often the disease still won,” says Taron’s mother, Karine Hakobyan. “We always dreamed of having a cooling system, but we couldn’t afford to invest in one. With FAR’s help, that dream became a reality.”

This year, the greenhouse has produced a steady yield of vegetables. Most of the harvest is sold locally, and the family expects their income to triple by the end of the year, providing a reliable source of livelihood.

The Small Business Assistance (SBA) program, financed and initiated by the Atesian Family Foundation, is a dynamic initiative dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners. SBA equips individuals with the necessary tools to launch and expand their entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities, particularly among conflict-affected, displaced, and rural populations in Armenia.