COAF Establishes Two Adolescent Clubs to Promote Livestock Farming

In the villages of Lernagog and Argina

Lernagog, Armenia, May 12, 2006 — Today, 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. 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 Margaryan, 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.

CONTACTS: Sunny Uberoi, (212) 994-8206; or e-mail info@coafkids.org