COAF ESTABLISHES TWO ADOLESCENT CLUBS TO PROMOTE LIVESTOCK FARMING
Armenpress
May 15 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 15, ARMENPRESS: On May 12 the Children of Armenia Fund
(COAF), in partnership with the Center for Agribusiness and Rural
Development (CARD), formed adolescent clubs in the villages of Lernagog
and Argina of the Armavir District of the Republic of Armenia.
A press release by the COAF said the selected twenty 12-13 year-old
adolescents gathered in their respective school yards and cheered
the sponsors as they arrived with the sheep. After congratulatory
remarks by the Lernagog Mayor, Mr. Sargis Margarian, and COAF and
CARD project managers, the participating ten adolescent residents of
Lernagog received two sheep each, together with a care package. The
Argina distribution immediately followed Lernagog’s. The project aims
at teaching youngsters how to take responsibility for taking care of
the sheep ? caring, feeding, and controlling diseases. The broader
objective is to develop livestock farming in the region. Adolescents
from disadvantaged, needy, or single parent families are selected to
join the club provided they satisfy a set of pre-established criteria,
including their personal level of interest in livestock farming and
the existence of a suitable sheep shed adjacent to the family home.
Under the close watch and direction of an expert veterinarian, the
youngsters will gain knowledge of animal science and take daily notes
on their sheep.
CARD will be responsible for organizing trainings, providing
educational materials and hygienic supplies.
COAF has purchased the livestock and will provide animal feed, if
necessary. Monitoring and supervision of the project will be done in
a partnered way by both COAF and CARD project staff.
This project is expected to contribute to the economic development
of the Model Cluster villages.
Particularly in animal husbandry, COAF plans several other initiatives
that will increase the supply chain in agricultural products and
ultimately lead to milk and wool processing businesses or cooperatives.
Children of Armenia Fund was founded in 2000 with the aim to reduce
poverty through the revitalization of rural Armenia and the realization
of projects that are instrumental for the revival of communities. With
the introduction of its novel approach to clustering in February
2006, COAF is currently implementing the Model Cluster working in six
villages in the Baghramyan region of the Armavir District. The key
components of COAF’s Model Cluster project comprise Infrastructure and
Economic Development Programs, and Community Development including
Health, Social and Educational Programs. In 2006, besides its Model
Village Karakert, COAF is also working in Myasnikyan, Shenik, Dalarik,
Lernagog and Argina.
The Armenian Rural Youth Development Program, initiated by the Center
for Agribusiness and Rural Development, is a voluntary non formal
educational program that supplements formal school education. It is
modeled after the US 4-H Program.
The program is helping young people gain skills needed to become
responsible, self-directing, productive and contributing members
of society. The Extension Youth Development Program provides real
experiences and an opportunity for youth to gain life skills, project
development and implementation skills, basic agricultural knowledge
in order to be engaged in community development activities.