9 August 2010

A field seminar on "Organic agriculture and ecology" was held by Shen NGO one of these days in Dprabak community of Gegharkunik marz. The seminar was organised in the frame of project of "Introduction of sustainable land use and biodiversity conservation practices in Dprabak community of Gegharkunik region" funded by UNDP Armenia GEF SGP. The training was planned for 7-11 grade students of 6 communities of Chambarak region. The field-seminar was held in the organic community orchard of Dprabak aiming to present the pilot project of establishing a community unit to the youth of Dprabak and neighbouring communities.

During the seminar Shen NGO specialists presented reports on "Organic agriculture as a prospective direction", "Production of biohumus and preparation of compost mix", "Mechanisms of diagnosing domestic animals". During the second half of the seminar all participants took part in the preparation of a compost mix on the orchard using red Californian worms.

The example of Dprabak community orchard pilot project will not only contribute towards the sustainability and social development of communities, but also will indirectly link the rural youth to with communities.




29 July 2010

On the 28th of July the official opening ceremony of the kindergarten in refugee-populated Pambak village of Gegharkunik marz was held. In agreement with marz and community administrations the Yalkezian Foundation - thanks to the private donation of Pirjanyan family (Canada) - together with Shen furnished some area in the school building to be used as a kindergarten for 50 children. An area of 400 sq. m is now given for exploitation now, where there are 4 children rooms, a hall, a study, a kitchen and a bathroom.

The family of Pirjanyans-Mr and Mrs Vahram and Sona Pirjanyans - was present at the opening ceremony, as well as other guests from Canada, head of Gegharkunik marz administration Mr Never Poghosyan, village members, 25 children who will be attending the kindergarten for the first time on September 1.

Village council presented a written certificate to the donors stating that all further activities of the kindergarten would be funded by the community.

                

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, promotion of employment, improvement of community infrastructures, strengthening 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 2005 Shen opened a branch in Nagorno Karabagh. Shen 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 - following in the footsteps of Yalkezian Foundation (www.yalkezian.com).