CARMAC is a unique Heifer project that will bring systemic change. Support for the 55 engaged cooperatives in terms of the 30 percent cost-share for acquiring agricultural equipment is, by itself, innovative. The project is of significant importance to the rural communities of Armenia, as it promotes more effective use of existing natural and technical resources and cultivates a sense of responsibility and private ownership among farmers.
On February 25-27, Heifer Armenia organized the second annual Youth Business Forum with members of the YES! Youth Clubs established and supported by Heifer International. Attendees received business education, developed business plans and participated in a competition for seed money awards.
The CARMAC project, launched in 2011, is showing positive results after just a year of implementation. They are well on their way to reaching the project goals of improving existing pasture management practices, bettering the pasture infrastructure, strengthening the agricultural advisory services, creating agricultural cooperatives and providing necessary agricultural equipment, training and practical skills.
Samvel and Narine were struggling to provide for their family with a farm of five goats before becoming participants in a Heifer project. When they received a pregnant heifer, the cow gave birth to a healthy calf. The family is happy to be self-reliant and has hope for the future.
Artur Hovsepyan, suffering from depression, disappeared from life in an Armenian village. His family received a cow through Heifer's Passing on the Gift® practice, and it was just the thing to bring him out of his depression. He began caring for the cow, which soon gave Artur a calf to care for. His family, friends and neighbors are grateful to have him back.
The Armenia Missionary Association of America and Heifer Armenia presented 14 families with pregnant heifers. The project aims to better the social and economic situations of the Lori region.
For more than a decade, Heifer Armenia and its partner Development Principles NGO have significantly contributed to the development and empowerment of the rural youth by establishing and running YES! Youth Clubs in different regions of Armenia. This year 50 alumni from different youth clubs attended the Annual Forum of YES! Youth Clubs Alumni on February 11. The forum was organized to discuss the salient issues that the rural youth face, as well as propose the best possible solutions to those issues.
In 2008, Heifer International launched its project in Armavir in partnership with the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF), in which 115 original families received cows and sheep, and 60 more received animals from their neighbors through Passing on the Gift® (POG). Later this year another POG ceremony will incorporate more people into Heifer Armenia's project in Armavir.
Magda Hovahnnisyan, a Heifer participant from a small Armenian village, is a well-respected and loved veterinarian who helps even in retirement.
Business-minded Nazar plans to enlarge his pig farm with his earnings. Thirteen-year-old YES! Youth Club member Nazar takes his business plan and $100 from Heifer Armenia and creates a successful pig business, which he plans to enlarge with his operation's earnings from this past year.
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