SHORT SUMMARY

Join us in revitalizing the Azatek Cultural Center, a project aimed at fostering educational growth and community engagement.

Our fundraiser seeks to collect 8.4 million AMD by July 4, 2024, to renovate the Cultural Center, reopen the local library, and establish an American Club offering English courses and educational programs for local youth. Your support will provide access to quality educational opportunities, help combat rural depopulation, and empower our community's future leaders. Together, we can create a vibrant hub for learning and cultural exchange in Azatek!

IMPACT

This project will have a profound impact on our community by providing access to quality education and cultural enrichment opportunities locally. The primary beneficiaries of the project are more than 100 children of Azatek and a smaller nearby village. Many dream of getting an excellent higher education or earning lots of money and investing it back in Azatek.

Village residents mostly make a living by working in animal husbandry, farming and gardening so children are often involved in helping the parents maintain the household. There are also forcibly replaced families from Artsakh with children who have been deprived of the opportunity to receive uninterrupted quality education for the last three years, therefore there's a need to re-engage them in the educational process and new community. Having an active cultural center will also contribute to solving that problem. By investing in local educational initiatives and bringing learning opportunities to our doorstep, we can level the playing field for our children and ensure that no child is left behind.

But the impact of these educational opportunities extends far beyond the classroom. Perhaps most importantly, by investing in our children's future, we are investing in the future of our village and our society as a whole. Educated children are more likely to become active and engaged members of their communities, contributing to economic development, social cohesion, and civic engagement.

Moreover, by creating educational opportunities locally, we are helping to stem the tide of rural depopulation and migration. When families have access to quality education for their children right here in their village, they are more likely to stay and invest in the community's future.

PROBLEM

In the village of Azatek, residents face significant challenges due to the limited opportunities for education and cultural enrichment. Specifically, there is a glaring absence of English language learning programs, depriving community members of crucial skills needed for communication and advancement in today's interconnected world. Furthermore, children in the village lack access to leisure activities and necessary educational resources, leading to disengagement and lack of growth opportunities.

Limited access to quality education and cultural enrichment programs in rural areas like Azatek perpetuates disparities and hinders community development. As a result, our youth are often left behind, their potential untapped and their future prospects compromised. Without immediate intervention, they will continue to face barriers to learning and growth, exacerbating the cycle of depopulation and migration.

By restoring our Cultural Center and creating educational opportunities right here in the village, we are breaking down these barriers and paving the way for a brighter future.

SOLUTION

We propose renovating the Cultural Center's façade, roof, study space, and library section to create a modern, accessible hub for educational and cultural activities. The establishment of an American Club will offer English courses, American studies, and more.

1. The renovation project will commence with the restoration of the Cultural Center's façade and roof to ensure structural integrity.
2. Simultaneously, the study space and library section will be refurbished to accommodate seminars, workshops, and educational events.
3. The establishment of the American Club will follow, providing a dedicated space for English courses and cultural programs.

Through community collaboration, we will implement these renovations and programs to provide a nurturing environment for our youth to thrive.

TEAM

My name is Diana Hovakimian, and I'm honored to share my vision for revitalizing the Azatek Cultural Center with you. With the unwavering support of the local community and a background in American and Russian Studies, coupled with a master's degree in pedagogy, I bring all of my of knowledge and experience to this endeavor. Having spent the last two years teaching at the local middle school, I've developed a genuine connection with my students, becoming invested in their education and inspired to see them succeed in their chosen fields.

My journey as a repatriate, culminating in my decision to move to Armenia, has instilled in me a profound sense of responsibility towards my homeland and its people.

I firmly believe that collective action, fueled by genuine love and commitment to our country and a secure future of our nation here, on the Armenian Highlands, holds the key to positive change. It is my sincere hope that together, we can embark on a transformative journey towards a stronger and more united Armenia.

Please see the project budget (in Armenian) here.