A centre uniting the parents of children with disabilities has been operating in Vardenis city of Armenia’s Gegharkunik province for over 12 years.

For the population located by the eastern coast of Lake Sevan, with its harsh climate, and repercussions of war and the following waves of economic crisis, the problem of education, leisure and development of children with disabilities sometimes remains unresolved and results in isolation.

“Astghavard” NGO has not only united the parents of such children, but has also created conditions for children’s integration and development.

The centre director Melaniya Yepremyan told Armenian News – NEWS.am about the activity, achievements and problems of the centre.

“Astghavard” NGO was established in 2003. It unites parents and children from Vardenis and 36 communities, overall 200-250 families. Along with the children with disabilities, the centre is also attended by children with only certain physical problems, as well as healthy children.

“We help children in the educational, healthcare and social spheres, as well as teach them several professions. We cooperate with a number of international organizations, ministries, regional administration, educational and medical institutions and other organizations working in the field,” Yepremyan said.

The youngest student in the centre is only 1,5 years old, while the oldest ones are about 30.

“Unfortunately, not all children can attend the centre. The key issue is the transport. Vardenis has no city transport; It’s especially hard for children with locomotor system problems to come here. That’s why we have parent support centers in seven large communities, and part of the issues is resolved on the ground. But it’s preferable for children to attend the centre, where we have a rehabilitation centre, teach professions and organize their leisure,” Yepremyan said.

According to her, in terms of integrating children with disabilities into the society, the attendance of healthy children is of uttermost importance. “One of our key objectives is to create a group of children with disabilities and healthy ones and integrate them so that the children learn to perceive themselves as they are. And we have managed to do that. The integration of children with disabilities is first of all necessary for the society itself; it makes the society kinder and more responsive,” she added.

The centre also organizes summer camps every year. This year it organized a camp for 40 children, 21 of whom where with disabilities.

The idea of establishing such a centre came to Melaniya Avetisyan due to her twin grandsons Alik and Avik: “In 2003 it turned out that the children had health issues and we had a long way to go. I had also heard about other children with physical and mental problems, and decided to establish an NGO to help them. We gathered with the parents and opened the centre,” Yepremyan said.