Challenge

An estimated 80,000 children in Armenia live with disabilities; yet there remains a large social stigma that prevents them from equal access to social and educational services. Young people with disabilities do not receive the attention they need, and they are often ignored or dismissed. As a result, many suffer emotionally and do not continue education beyond the 8th form. This project will affect over 50 young people living with disabilities in Armenia's Kotayk region.

Solution

The Charentsavan Resource Center currently conducts pottery classes three times a week for youth living with disabilities. These handicrafts allow them to generate income and express themselves creatively. This project aims to expand upon the pottery program to create a center where young people with disabilities can spend each day developing themselves in meaningful ways through art classes, interacting with one another, and learning how to use their skills to generate an income.

Long-Term Impact

The proposed center will provide 50 Armenian youth living with disabilities the opportunity to positively interact with their peers, discover their abilities, and become independent and productive members of the community. They will learn to use their talents to create goods that can be sold for profit. In this way, our youth will learn to create their own jobs and provide for their well-being. Ultimately, this project allows youth with disabilities to overcome social barriers and find success!

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).

Resources