#SharetheLove 2023 Vardenis Sewing
Lena & Armen Eranosyan of Vardenis Sewing
JOB CREATION IN ARMENIA IS A KEY FACTOR TO REGIONAL SECURITY AND SUSTAINED PROSPERITY. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO PURCHASE A NEW EMBROIDERY MACHINE FOR LENA & ARMEN ERANOSYAN'S "VARDENIS SEWING" BUSINESS.
HDIF-USA is happy to launch Share the Love 2023 from Feb. 14-March 31, 2023. This year's annual charitable campaign will benefit Vardenis Sewing owned by Lena and Armen Eranosyan. Lena and Armen live and work in Vardenis, Armenia - in the Gegharkunik region on the shores of Lake Sevan. On September 13, 2022, they awoke to their town being bombed by enemy forces that were attacking sovereign Armenian territory. Lena and Armen, and their workers, were forced to flee their homes, fearing for their safety. They returned two weeks later not knowing what the future holds.
Lena and Armen are HDIF's long-time producers of potholders, oven gloves, aprons, table runners, pillow covers, and Ararat blankets. They expanded their product line several years ago to include embroidered items. Unfortunately, their Soviet-era embroidery machine has seen its last days.
The machine is a multi-head embroidery machine with quieter sewing, and greater durability and consistent sewing quality at high speeds on a variety of surfaces.
The board of directors of HDIF-USA has selected Vardenis Sewing as this year's Share the Love beneficiary to help Lena and Armen expand their business and provide new jobs in their community. They have offered to cost share a portion of the expense, and we are thrilled to collaborate with them on this project.
Vardenis Sewing is one of the few private enterprises working with HDIF because most of our partners are NGO’s or foundations. In 2013, Lena and Armen were introduced to HDIF Founder Tim Straight by Peace Corps Volunteer Laura Maas. Both Lena and Armen worked in a sewing factory during the Soviet period and a little while after Armenia's independence. Due to the economic crisis and collapse of the Soviet markets, many people were left without any jobs or hope to be employed in their local regions.
You can donate on Facebook and Instagram thru March 31. Checks can be mailed to HDIF-USA, 1146 N. Central Ave. #359, Glendale, CA 91202.
All gifts are tax-deductible. Facebook pays all the processing fees for you, so 100% of your donation goes directly to the nonprofit.
ABOUT THE TOWN OF VARDENIS. Vardenis (Armenian: Վարդենիս) is a town and urban municipal community in the southeastern part of the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia. It is located in the valley of the Masrik River, near the southeastern shores of Lake Sevan. Vardenis obtained its status as an urban settlement in 1995. The population of Vardenis is about 12,600. The current territory was part of the Sotk canton of historic Syunik; the 9th province of Greater Armenia. According to traditional legends, the settlement was founded as Geghamabak by Gegham; the grandson of the legendary Hayk who is considered the legendary patriarch and founder of the Armenian nation. Vardenis is one of the oldest settlements in Armenia.
The town and its vicinities are rich in cultural heritage, with 568 monuments recorded. The most interesting are the Makenats monastery, the basilica in Sotk, the chapels of Ayrk and Karchaghbyur, the tombs of 3rd-1st millennia BC, the Cyclopean masonry, and the medieval khachkars.
HDIF-USA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation registered in the State of California. HDIF-USA purchases and sells fair trade handicrafts from its fulfillment partner, Homeland Development Initiative Foundation in Armenia.
