Strengthening Rural Healthcare, One Nurse at a Time

We’re proud to share the completion of another meaningful initiative: a capacity-building training for kindergarten nurses in Armenia’s cross-border Tavush region.

Twelve dedicated nurses from the communities of Movses, Choratan, Artsvaberd, Verin Karmiraghbyur, Norashen, Aygepar, Nerkin Karmiraghbyur, Chinchin, Tsaghkavan, Vargavan, and Paravakar recently completed a two-week accredited training program to sharpen their skills, renew their professional knowledge, and most importantly, help them meet national health requirements to keep doing the work they love.

Under Armenian law, healthcare professionals are required to complete continuing education - 140 credits for nurses and 220 for doctors - every five years. But for many nurses in remote regions, access to such training is limited. Some haven’t had the chance to update their qualifications since graduating decades ago - sometimes as far back as the Soviet era.

This training, made possible through FAR’s Annette Choolfaian Scholarship Program, gave these frontline caregivers the opportunity they had long needed. Not only did they earn 55 accredited credits, but they also gained new knowledge and built important connections in their field.

“Before FAR stepped in, we didn’t know where to go, how to register, or how we’d even afford the fees. Thanks to FAR, we received our training, our questions were answered, and created the network with the Nurses Association of Armenia. The more we work with FAR, the more we understand the depth of support. FAR has always been there for us with BCPP program and children’s nutrition program,” said Arus Bozinjan, a longtime nurse from Paravakar’s kindergarten adding that the classes were held online during the evenings - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM - making it possible for participants to attend after work.

Join us in supporting cross-border nurses to maintain their jobs and better prepare for their work by donating to FAR today!