The conflict in Artsakh shows no signs of abatement and FAR is doing all that we can to distribute and provide emergency assistance to those directly impacted by this war. However, our regular work still continues, despite the added challenges.
It is with the same dedication that our programs team continues to carry out our other projects to support and empower the people of Armenia, all the while keeping both staff and beneficiaries protected from COVID-19 as best we can.
Below is a brief overview of the progress we've made during September and October.
FAR distributed CASP stipends to 484 orphans and children of low-income, single mothers in Armenia in Javakhk, in addition to59 children from Artsakh, which will help them to afford household basics like food, fuel, and clothing.
Each of the 128 first-time FAR scholarship recipients signed their contracts and started to receive tuition assistance, joining the 384 students who continue to receive support for their studies. FAR is supporting an additional 81 students this year who would otherwise be unable to pursue their studies due to the impacts of COVID-19.
FAR Soup Kitchens and Atinizian Senior Center beneficiaries were still able to take their meals home five days a week, or dine in under strict COVID-19 precautionary measures.
Vulnerable seniors at VOAH continued to be well-cared for, in addition to welcoming to their community seniors who fled Artsakh in search of a safe haven.
Armenia’s doctors continued to improve their practices through our CME program. Over the past two months, 12 more doctors honed their skills, joining the 33 physicians from Armenia and the three doctors from Artsakh who have participated in the CME program so far this year.
Through the BCPP program,18 entrepreneurshave participated in financial literacy trainings made possible through HSBC Armenia. A total of 23 small-business ownersalso received financial support from FAR to aid their enterprises.
FAR distributed 329 schoolbags to all the first-year schoolchildren in the Berd Region.
Ten Syrian-Armenian entrepreneursreceived their first installments of financial support as part of our Syrian-Armenian Business Assistance Program, which will help them startor expand their small businesses in Armenia.
Medical centersthat serve12 communities in the Berd Regionwere provided with medical supplies, including thermometers, tonometers, surgical light bulbs, sets of surgical field tools and instruments, and microscopes, among other things.
The childrenand youth currently residing at the FAR Children’s Center continued to be well cared for and their psychological, educational, and healthcare needs met. TheCenter’s kids even started weaving military camouflage nets to send to the frontlines.
GTech expanded to new provinces and offered state-of-the art IT education free of charge to youth and children from Artsakh. Courses included classes in programming, 3D modeling, and system administration.
Another round of renovations was completed at the Parakar School for Children with Disabilities. Courses were moved online in September due to rising cases of COVID-19, and the training needs of the staff were completely reassessed in order to improve staff training and development.
ANSEF established a new Advisory Board comprised of outstanding luminaries in the diaspora aimed to strengthen its programs.
FAR continued its distribution of food and health packages to the families and individuals who have been impacted by COVID-19 through job loss or illness.
The FAR-supported Dilijan and Octet Music schools continued to offer exceptional musical education in Shirak and Tavush provinces.
Gulamerian Vocational Training began assisting 60 new older orphans by supporting their university educations or vocational training.
We wish to thank our local friends for enabling us to fulfill pledges we made to our beneficiaries, especially during this crucial time.