March 5, 2010

In partnership with Orange-Armenia, a member of France Telecom Group, Shen has just completed a project "Establishment of computer training center in Dashtadem, Aragatsotn marz". This is the second project of rural development in Armenia jointly implemented by Orange-Armenia and Shen within the frame of long-term strategic partnership.

Just after the opening ceremony of the Computer Center the villagers of Dashtadem contacted their relatives abroad through Skype free software and for the first time got free video calls over the internet.

A skilled local trainer will provide affordable paid computer trainings to inhabitants of Dashtadem. It is a prerequisite for making IT services accessible and common in remote areas of Armenia. Shen and Orange do believe that it is a highway leading to highly educated young generation in the rural communities.

                

A Major Community Developer in Armenia



Vision - To become a reliable partner for vulnerable rural communities in their endeavour to create better life.

Mission Statement - Shen promotes social and economic development and empowerment of remote and vulnerable communities with active involvement of community members. Through transferring new knowledge and skills, creation of employment, improvement of community infrastructures, promotion of community organizations, we strive to make those communities attractive for life and work.

The word "Shen" means a well-to-do, a prosperous village in Armenian. It is our goal that all the villages of Armenia will become "shens" in the foreseen future.

Shen NGO was created in 1988, by a group of professors and students of Yerevan Polytechnic Institute to address some of the urgent humanitarian problems that faced people of Armenia. As time changed, we made a shift from relief projects to integrated community development.

In 2008, Shen NGO celebrated the 20th anniversary of its establishment. This was a time of summarising our achievements. The cornerstone of all Shen development projects is long-term sustainability. This has been our vision since 1988 for all the implemented activities in over 250 rural communities of Armenia. This wouldn't be accomplished without the support of our sister NGO Shen France and the Armenian Diaspora. We would also like to acknowledge hereby our donors - World Council of Churches, Christian Aid (UK), IFAD, EED (Germany), ICCO (the Netherlands), Oxfam Novib (the Netherlands), EPER (Switzerland), KASA Foundation (Switzerland), UNDP, UNFPA, USDA, FAO, DFID, SDC.

Shen's mission is very appealing to Diaspora Armenians. In 1991 Shen-France was founded in Paris, and Shen-USA in 2000. In 2001 Shen opened a branch in Nagorno Karabagh. It has many supporters in Lebanon, Russia, Canada, Italy and UK. Their aim is to help their compatriots in Armenia to become well off and empowered to create their prosperity with their own hands. If this is also your dream, join us.