Committees comprised of representatives from healthcare, education, local administration, and law enforcement were also established in five different communities. They aim to help to contribute to early identification of children and families in need of intervention. Members of such committees also received training on child protection methods and the elimination of exclusion and discrimination toward vulnerable children and families.

 

School rehabilitation is another important component of the project, and more than 20 schools in Tavush were improved through BCPP during 2021. Highlights include the renovation of the Verin Tsaghkavan Village School whose technology classroom was also completely refurbished, enabling the school’s students to be able to learn woodcarving and sewing skills as part of the school’s vocational training program. The technology classrooms at the Kayan Hovhannes Hintlyan School and Navur Village School were also renovated and equipped with necessary furniture and appliances. 

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The physics and chemistry labs at Azatamut School, which hadn’t been renovated since the Soviet era, were also redone. Where previously experiments weren’t possible, science teachers can now encourage hands-on learning through practical experiments and by testing hypotheses, ideally bolstering students’ enthusiastic appreciation of science.

 

FAR enabled Choratan Village School to finally install a gas heating system. Wood burning stoves had previously been the only source of heating for students. The new system makes all the difference for the children who can now learn in a comfortable, safe, and healthier environment. 

 

FAR also constructed a sports field at Aygedzor Village School where children can now train, hold sports tournaments, and organize games. All the schools were provided with necessary sports supplies.

 

Water pipelines were constructed and sanitary units were fully renovated at Paravaqar and Tavush village schools as well.

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Boosting productivity and providing an outlet for young peoples’ creativity has been a focal point for FAR’s BCPP project since its start in 2013. For the past several years, BCPP’s 16 different hobby groups has helped about 350 kids in a region of Armenia that has few recreational outlets.

 

Small events like a contest held for the children who love embroidery and drawing had 50 participants from villages throughout Armenia’s impoverished Berd Region. The “My Colors” contest exhibition were available for public viewing at FAR’s Berd Office. 

 

In healthcare, 28 medical clinics and hospitals in the Berd Region (those supported by BCPP) were stocked with equipment like oxygen concentrators, thermometers, otoscopes and ophthalmoscopes, and medical exam tables. A new shelter was constructed and furnished in Berd Medical Center as well. 

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As part of BCPP’s Child Health and Nutrition Project, an additional 315 children in the Ijevan Region of Tavush Province were able to start to receive healthy and nutritious meals on a daily basis. They join the already 900 children from Berd who benefit from this program, bringing the total to 1,215 children. 

 

Both BCPP and Support for Artsakh’s Displaced also aim to improve healthcare by empowering local medical personnel through professional development and training opportunities, in addition to those geared toward community members. Recent trainings focused on COVID-19, the role of play in alleviating children’s anxiety, and cardiovascular diseases, just to name a few. And more than 40 trainings for community members have also been carried out in Sisian and Berd since early September.