For 17-year-old Sargis Sardaryan, hair styling isn’t just a potential career—it’s a therapy. It’s how he’s transformed his negative, aggressive tendencies from years ago into something positive and meaningful.
At Parakar’s James and Marta Batmasian Vocational Training Center—a unique place where students with and without disabilities learn side by side—Sargis demonstrates his skills while styling his classmate Mariam’s hair. “As a hair stylist, you need to be careful and respectful,” Sargis explains. “Politeness and attentiveness are key to building trust with clients. First impressions matter, and I want my clients to feel comfortable so they come back. Plus, keeping everything clean and improving your skills over time is so important.”
Sargis has gained these skills over the past 1.5 years at the center. Beyond hair styling, students here explore carpet weaving, culinary arts, gardening, and more—all practical skills designed to empower children with disabilities.
Before coming to Parakar school, Sargis struggled. At his previous school in Musaler village, he often fought with classmates and faced challenges managing his emotions. “When my mom brought me here, I felt supported for the first time,” he shares. “The teachers were patient, and the environment was welcoming. I even boarded here for a year before I started commuting daily. I’ve learned so much—not just about hair styling, but about how to be a better version of myself. My classmates are amazing, and I love how bright and colorful everything is here.”
Thanks to the guidance of therapists and psychologists, Sargis has worked through his behavioral issues. Now, he’s confident and focused on his future. “My dream is to become a professional hair stylist and open my own beauty salon one day,” he says with a smile. “I’ll keep improving and work hard to make it happen.”
The Parakar School is more than a school—it’s a lifeline for young people like Sargis. It offers a safe, supportive space where they can grow, thrive, and plan for brighter futures. But they need our help to continue making these life-changing impacts. Support FAR today and stand with students like Sargis.
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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