“Reducing Poverty” Project in Artsakh
On September 16th-17th, My Step Foundation and World Vision Armenia representatives visited Artsakh to discuss the implementation of these plans. Hovhannes Ghazaryan and Zhirayr Edilyan, the Executive Directors of My Step Foundation and World Vision Armenia, respectively, met with Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan, to discuss the possibility of launching a joint social program in Artsakh and implementing it as a part of the Poverty Reduction Program.
World Vision Armenia applied the Poverty Reduction Program in Armenia for the first time in 2017. In 2019, My Step Foundation and World Vision Armenia signed a joint agreement to work together and alleviate the extreme poverty for 18 families. The results proved to be very encouraging; the socio-economic status of most of these families improved and the families are more self-sustaining and confident in their own abilities.
World Vision Armenia and My Step Foundation also met with the Human Rights Defender in Artsakh, Artak Beglaryan, Minister of Social Affairs and Resettlement, Samvel Avanesyan, and Minister of Agriculture Jirayr Mirzoyan to further discuss the program and explore ways of collaborating and building a sustainable partnership. They also discussed strategies and resources needed for implementing the program as well as the possible outcomes. Also present at the meetings were Gayane Ghazaryan who is the Social Programs Coordinator of My Step Foundation, Marina Hovhannisyan, the World Vision Armenia Regional Development Officer, and Aida Muradyan, the Child Protection and Education Program Manager.
While speaking about the upcoming plans, Hovhannes Ghazaryan and Zhirayr Edilyan informed that the first step of the Poverty Reduction Program is going to be implemented by working with about 20 families in Artsakh in increasing their resources for better living and income growth.
In reference to the joint meeting about the Poverty Reduction Program, Artak Beglaryan wrote on his Facebook page, “Today, I proudly accepted the honor of working with My Step Foundation and World Vision Armenia in a program spearheaded by Hovhannes Ghazaryan and Zhirayr Edilyan. With the efforts of My Step Foundation, World Vision Armenia is finally entering Artsakh, bringing with them their vast experience of working in child protection. I’m convinced that the new program will raise the public social policy level and make it far more effective. The basics of it entail not just giving families money or benefits, but working with them to improve their family building skills and increase their income. I have hope that our partnership with these two foundations will prompt the launching of new projects and bring about positive change within human rights protection.”
My Step Foundation and World Vision Armenia are certain that though poverty is one of the most serious issues in Armenia, it can be managed through the joint efforts of the government and non-governmental organizations with the cooperation of the families in need.