Reuters AlertNet, UK
Feb 15 2008

Vulnerable Armenian children to thrive after graduation

15 Feb 2008 22:20:42 GMT

Source: World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe office (MEERO)

Some 300 vulnerable children will be equipped to earn a living after
they graduate high school as a result of 19 professional classes now
offered at three boarding schools for vulnerable children in
Armenia’s capital Yerevan. The establishment of these classes is the
outcome of World Vision’s advocacy efforts and close cooperation with
the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia.

World Vision promotes professional education in all special
institutions operating in Armenia by advocating for the establishment
of professional classes for high school students.

‘Professional classes are of prior importance, especially for high
school students who will have to earn a living by themselves after
they graduate,’ says Anahit Grigoryan, child protection programmes
coordinator, World Vision Armenia.

‘Through professional classes we seek to secure future employment for
the children, as well as to broaden their worldview,’ says Ms.
Grigoryan.

The boarding schools mostly enroll children who have one or even both
parents, but their families are unable to provide for them. More than
11,000 children live in Armenia’s special institutions, including 900
children who live in state orphanages, according to a UNICEF report
in 2006.

The professional classes run with World Vision support include
sewing, ceramics, and hairdressing for girls; and culinary and
shoe-repair classes for boys. World Vision also supports extra
curriculum classes in which students can learn activities such as
football.

Alongside with professional classes World Vision organizes study
tours to well-known companies and international organizations to
motivate children in their pursuit of a better future.

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not
of Reuters. ]