QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
Winter 2017, Issue 26
Beekeeping Development Project in Rural Communities
Syunik Development NGO, with the support of Atken
Armenian Foundation, is currently carrying out a
beekeeping development project in the Vayots Dzor
Region of Armenia. The project aims to contribute
to the poverty reduction of rural communities and
promote capacity building for farming households
while also supporting the development of cooperation
between them. Within the terms of the project, six
beneficiaries will be given ownership of three bee
colonies. Theoretical and practical courses will be a
Peer-to-Peer Community Workshops on Peace
The implementation of peace building initiatives,
both locally and internationally, is one of Syunik
Development NGOs main organizational priorities.
One such worthwhile initiative took place from July 1-8,
2016 as part of Syuniks Social Development Program
when a Training for Trainers (ToT) was conducted
within the Summer Academy Project. The ToT was
designed for youth leaders and trainers active in the
field of Peace Building and Conflict Resolution and
provided important skills and knowledge on conflict
analysis, management, transformation, mediation,
mandatory part of the project so as to better provide
information on beekeeping to people interested in
both traditional and new technologies and practices
of beekeeping. The deadline for the application was
the 20th of February and beneficiaries were selected
based on the criteria developed by the organization.
Syunik Development NGO expresses its gratitude
to the Atken Armenian Foundation for its help
in improving the lives of people living in rural
Armenian areas through this beekeeping project.
and regulation. One of the main components of the
initiative was the completion of follow-up workshops
which provided opportunities for alumni of the ToT to
conduct peer-to-peer workshops in their communities
in order to share their knowledge and skills with others.
Within a six-month period following the ToT, 50% of
the participants had already conducted their peer-to-
peer workshops in their communities. The topics of the
follow-up workshop included Peace Building and Conflict
Management, Conflict and Effective Communication,
and Leadership and Conflict Management.
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 Armenian Diocese of Canada Continues to Support Border
Communities of the Vayots Dzor Region
Syunik Development NGO, in collaboration with the
Armenian Diocese of Canada, has been implementing
many projects in the communities of the Vayots Dzor
Region that are located close to the Nakhchivan
border. These communities help maintain the border
boundaries and the individuals that live in the
villages are not only preserving their own way of life
but are also critically and strategically important for
the region as well as the whole country. This year,
as was true of last year, the Armenian Diocese of
Canada provided generous financial support to the
border villages of Sers, Bardzruni, and Nor Aznaberd
prior to the New Year and Christmas celebrations.
The Primate of the Canadian Diocese, Bishop Abgar
Hovakimyan, together with the administrative staff
members of the Armenian Childrens Foundation of
Starting the Holidays with a Smile
In the midst of cold, wintery weather, a holiday
atmosphere was created in both Syunik Development
NGOs Child Development Centre of the nearby Chiva
Village. Community Center staff, together with the
students from the Kindergarten, organized a New
Year celebration for parents, children, and other
members of the community. During the event
the children performed songs, dances, poems and
presented an Armenian folktale. These performances
brought joy and a festive mood into the hearts of all
guests, parents, and children.
Through the support of the Shoe Box Sharing Non-
the Canadian Diocese organized a fundraiser for these
steadfast and valuable communities. The money was
then sent and distributed to community members
before the start of the holidays - on December 28th
these villages found themselves in a joyous and
festive mood. The local children made Christmas
Cards, sending their deep gratitude and greetings for
their friends living on the other side of the world.
Likewise, on behalf of the beneficiary communities,
Syunik Development NGO extends its appreciation
to everyone involved in supporting the Vayots Dzor
Region. The support of the Armenian Diocese of
Canada has been crucial in helping to ease the financial
burden that each family faces daily when living in a
border community with few economic opportunities.
Profit Organization, located out of Fresno City,
founded California and by Kristina Garbedian, about
one hundred gift boxes full of school supplies and toys
were distributed to the children supported by these
two Armenian institutions. The generous initiative
brought smiles to the children as they eagerly awaited
the coming New Year, providing an early start to their
holiday celebrations.
Syunik Development NGO is deeply thankful to both
Kristina Garabedian and her Shoebox Sharing NGO
for their thoughtful and attentive care towards the
children of Vayots Dzor, Armenia.
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 Youth for Peace Project Announcement Application
Call for Camp Leaders
One of the main peace building activities of Syunik
Development NGO is its Youth for Peace in the South
Caucasus project, a long-standing initiative financed
by HEKS-EPER, Switzerland for cultural exchange and
peace building in the South Caucuses. The Youth for
Peace project is a yearlong project that includes two
camp shifts, one in Armenia and one in Georgia. Training
course of Conflict Mediation and Transformation,
Leadership and Facilitation, peace exhibition, flesh
mobs and small scale projects for peace are part of
the project. The project is designed for teenagers
ages 16-18 from Armenia and Georgia (including
ethnic minorities living in both of these countries).
Syunik Development NGO recently announced its
annual call for applications for peace camp leaders to
serve as the counselors for the Youth for Peace Project.
The selected leaders will participate in trainings
organized in Georgia related to the topics of conflict
management, diversity and stereotypes, and leadership
skills as well as how to best cooperate with other
leaders and participants during the camp time. They
will be responsible for jointly implementing program
activities in accordance with a strategic project plan and,
following the end of their trainings and camp, they will
organize small-scale projects in the form of workshop
and seminars for other members of their communities.
Like last year, the participants in the Armenian
camp will receive free dental health care provided
by the Armenian Dentist Association in California.

Syunik Development NGO Hosts Ramaz Giorgiobani,

HEKS-EPER South Caucasus Offices Agriculture Adviser
On February 24th, 2017, Syunik Development NGO
hosted Ramaz Giorgiobani, HEKS-EPER South Caucasus
Offices Agriculture Adviser in the scope of its
Horticultural Development Project. During his visit Mr.
Giorgiobani met with both Syunik Development NGO
Horticultural Development Project staff members as
well as beneficiary farmers. The aim of the visit was
to advise the program on early spring agricultural
works, develop a concrete work plan, and to discuss
further agricultural projects such as spring pruning and
cultivation.

My Armenia Training Course

Aspram Aleksanyan and Anahit Yeghiazaryan, Syunik
Development NGOs Vayk and Jermuk Community
Center Coordinators, participated in training entitled
My Armenia that took place in Yerevan over a span
of several days in February. The My Armenia training
course was a joint partnership between USAID, the
Smithsonian Institution, and the people of Armenia.
The project aimed at increasing and sharing
knowledge about Armenian cultural heritage while
also identifying opportunities to enhance and
increase community-based tourism in rural Armenia.

Office of International & Public Affairs Tel/Fax:+374(281) 20409

Syunik Development NGO Email: gevor.syunikngo@yahoo.com
Momiki St.5, 3601 Yeghegnadzor www.syunikngo.weebly.com
Vayots Dzor Province, Armenia
Syunik NGO PR Manager: Gevorg Matevosyan
Editor-in-Chief: Nara Martirosyan, Sam Houston State University