Nourishing Armenia!
Description
Nourishing Armenia is a multi-phase project dedicated to building sustainable greenhouses, chicken coops, and multipurpose spaces for implementing nutrition education programs. This program aims to combat pediatric malnutrition, provide vital nutrition education to children, and foster community connections among elders displaced during the Artsakh war. With the generous support of donors like you, we aim to create a lasting impact on the health and well-being of children and families in Armenia.
Armenia faces significant challenges, particularly in areas affected by conflict and economic hardship. Many children suffer from malnutrition, a dire consequence of limited access to nutritious food, knowledge deficits in food safety practices, and a lack of education on how to sustainably utilize the land. At the same time, many of the elders in these communities have been left to experience isolation and disconnection after losing their loved ones and homes during the war. Nourishing Armenia addresses these critical issues by promoting sustainable farming practices through greenhouse projects, ensuring that children have access to fresh produce and nutrition education. All food produced will be provided to the community for its use free of charge.
The project will serve not only to nourish children but also to empower them through educational programs that teach essential skills related to nutrition and health. By bringing together the younger and older generations, we aim to build a strong, supportive community that fosters resilience and hope for the future.
Some of the nutrition education initiatives will include:
- Sustainability classes
- Growing crops in a greenhouse
- Harvesting produce
- Collecting chicken eggs
- Growing crops inside the home
- Cooking classes
- Making yogurt & cheese
- Drying fruit
- Pickling vegetables
- Dehydrating meats for jerky
- Juicing & smoothie making
- Sourdough bread making
- Food safety classes
- Personal hygiene when food handling
- Safe storage of food
- FIFO techniques
- Safe cooking temperatures
- Food labeling (expiration dates, etc)
- Classroom education
- Nutrient needs by age
- How to create a balanced plate
- Portion sizes
- Seasonal eating
- Recipe development
- Benefits of macronutrients and micronutrients
- Recognition of “everyday foods” versus “sometimes foods”
- Future career path training
Our goal is to raise $200,000 to construct and operate the greenhouses, run the hen coops, implement other sustainability practices (drying fruit, herbs, etc), and provide nutrition education ensuring that children receive the nourishment they need to thrive.
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The Need
Thousands of children in Armenia face the harsh reality of malnutrition, which affects their growth, development, future health outcomes and overall quality of life. With 34% of the population living in poverty, this is an area of immense need. Many families struggle to provide basic non-perishable food staples due to economic, housing, and health-related constraints. By establishing greenhouses, we will provide a sustainable source of produce, ensuring children receive the essential nutrients they need and education on how to continue these sustainable practices long term.
Short Term Impact
In the short term, we expect to directly benefit more than 300 children through access to fresh produce and nutrition education while simultaneously providing hands-on experience in the areas of cooking, teaching, agriculture, and homesteading. These experiences are designed to expose children to different opportunities for career paths in the future. The initiative will also create local job opportunities for community members to teach homesteading practices like drying fruit and pickling vegetables and farming practices like harvesting crops and tending to chicken coops through engaging activities with the children.
Long Term Impact
In the long run, we anticipate taking the first steps toward a reduction in pediatric malnutrition rates in these regions. By equipping children with the knowledge and resources they need, we aim to break the cycle of poverty and malnutrition. As the community comes together around these greenhouses, we hope to foster lasting relationships and improve the overall well-being of children through nutrition, education, career support, and sustainability practices. Over time our hope is to begin implementing nutrition education in schools, hospitals and to the general public through these model programs.
Sponsors Benefits
Your generous contribution to the Nourishing Armenia project will be recognized in various ways:
- Your name will be displayed on a plaque at the greenhouse site.
- Recognition on our website and in printed materials related to the project.
- Regular updates on the project’s progress and impact.
Visits to these communities can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.
Charlie Funk
Centennial, COMs. Susan Chebookjian
Bedford, MAMrs. Kathy Schreiber
New Kensington, PAMrs. Sona Hoplamazian
Glen Mills, PASegura Family
North Olmsted, OHAndrew, Ani, Sena & Ara Changelian
Bedford, MAMr. & Mrs. Greg & Debbie Hoplamazian
Westminster, MDIn Honor Of Joe Hoplamazian
Anonymous
Cape May, NJAnonymous
Glen Mills, PAMrs. Lorraine Geiling
Downingtown, PAMrs. Adrineh Hoplamazian
West Chester, PA