COAF & Heifer International Partner in Helping the Shenik Community

Shenik, Armenia, November 2, 2006 — Today, the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF), in partnership with Heifer International, distributed cows to twenty underprivileged families in Shenik. The goal of the project is to help the beneficiary families increase their revenue generating capacity and become economically self-dependent.

In the initial phase of project implementation, COAF assumed responsibility for the organization of this pilot project, while Heifer International conducted introductory training sessions on its twelve cornerstones. A total of 54 families applied to participate, from which 20 families were selected as the beneficiaries. The selection was based on several criteria, including family size and history, degree of social vulnerability, level of economic activity, prior experience in animal husbandry, availability of a barn suitable for keeping the cow, dependability, and related indicators.

In the next phase, the beneficiary families started the improvement of their individual animal shelters to meet project standards. A few of the most underprivileged families also received assistance in the construction of barns. The COAF-Heifer support also included the distribution of 2,400 bales of animal feed and, finally, one expecting cow per beneficiary family.

In order to ensure the full success of the pilot project and the potential expansion to more beneficiaries, the project will also include veterinary care and the distribution of Alfalfa seeds. The latter will serve as a base for animal feed in the future.

After three years, the beneficiary families are expected to pass on a cow to another family, thus expanding the network of beneficiaries and maximizing the return on the gift. COAF and Heifer International will jointly monitor the project and measure its impact on the economic development of the Shenik village. Particularly in economic development, COAF plans several other initiatives that will increase the supply chain of agricultural products and ultimately lead to processing plants and agricultural cooperatives in the Model Cluster.

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.

Heifer International has a unique and successful approach to ending hunger and poverty. Since 1944, Heifer has provided food- and income-producing animals and training to millions of resource-poor families in 115 countries. Heifer’s strategy is to “pass on the gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe. Heifer’s grassroots approach allows people and communities make their own decisions about how to improve their lives. As partners work together to overcome obstacles, they strengthen their communities and foster democracy.

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