Paros Foundation and HDIF Bring New Jobs to Tavush Region

Hand in hand with cooperating organizations and donors, HDIF is working to strengthen border communities in Armenia. There has been an ongoing project in the village of Aygepar, right on the front line in Tavush, to bring new sewing jobs to the women of the region.  The village of Aygepar is located 650 feet from the border with Azerbaijan. The exchange of fire between the Armenian and Azerbaijani troops are frequent and an unfortunate fact of life in this corner off Armenia.

Thanks to the Paros Foundation and the Berd Women's Resource Center, this female collective, which was formed by HDIF and works under name "Aygazard," will soon be moving into the Paros Foundation's new Aygepar Business Center.  The budding women crafters have been producing crocheted products for both local sales and export.  They will expand their production to include children's clothing and tote bags with machines that the project will provide them.

Currently, the Paros Foundation is constructing a comfortable room that will serve as a work space for "Aygazard" with a modern bathroom facility.   With cost sharing from HDIF, the construction is expected to be finished in the next few weeks.  Going forward, the rent will be nominal because the Paros Foundation would like to attract viable businesses to this very fragile area.

This endeavor addresses the need of the women to find an outlet to their lower stress levels, create a feeling of community, and supplement their household incomes to give their families and children a better life.  Depending on funding, HDIF would like to extend its job creation programs in other communities with particular focus in the Berd region in Tavush, which has a very long border with Azerbaijan.