ARS projects in Javakhk

September 02, 2005
Yerkir
By Naira Poghossian

The Armenian Relief Society's Javakhk Assistance Committee started working in 2001. The aim of the Committee’s activities is to launch healthcare, educational, cultural, economic and spiritual activities among the Armenians of Javakhk.
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The Javakhk Assistance Committee is planning to open youth centers in Akhalkalak, Akhaltskha, Ninotsminda and Poka. [...].

The centers will have internet clubs and special courses on languages, history of the Armenian Nations [...].
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The youth centers will also have sports facilities. [...] . In the future, smaller youth centers will be created in other strategically important locations.
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A diagnostic center was opened in Javakhk a couple of years ago equipped with modern medical equipment and supplies. The center was very important for the Armenians in Javakhk since before that they did not have access to diagnostic services and had to travel to Tbilisi or Yerevan.
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Construction and furnishing of the clinics have been completed in Damala, Tsurut and Azavred villages of Akhaltskha region, Mets Gomburda, Kartsakh villages in Akhalkalak region, Radionovka, Samsar, Gondura and Satkha villages in Ninotsminda region and Nardivan village in Tsalka region.[...].

[...] assistance {was} provided by the Canadian Javakhk Assistance Committee which has sent a large number of medical supplies, equipment and medicines and provided funds to furnish the clinics. [...].
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Several projects are implemented in the sphere of education. Regular competitions of essay writing (with topics like “I Am Armenian”), painting, handcrafts are organized at schools. 25 winners of the last year’s competitions were given a prize – a one week trip to Artsakh.
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The projects aimed at the preservation of the Armenians cannot be expected to achieve their goals where the families are facing economic hardships and have problems earning their living. This is why the Javakhk Assistance Committee prioritizes the gradual solution of the unemployment problem among the Armenians of Javakhk.

[...]. A cheese production plant will be created in Zhdanovakan village which will employ the population of 4 adjacent villages and give them income generation opportunities.
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The poor road connection is a serious problem for the Armenians in Javakhk. “The internal roads in the towns of Javakhk as well as the roads connecting Akhatskha and Akhalkalak, Ninotsminda and Akhalkalak have been renovated. The roads as well as some buildings in Akhalkalak and Ninotsminda are currently being renovated.
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The European Union has provided Georgia with 100 million euros and the Georgian government has allocated 3 million to Akhalkalak.[...].
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[...] for many Armenians in Javakhk the connection with Armenia is fostered through visits to the country and the Armenian side is causing serious problems in this respect.[...].

[...]. The vehicles with Georgian license plates have to pay very high customs fees when entering Armenia irrespective of the nationality of their owner.
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The customs fees for export of agricultural products from Armenia are very high. [...].
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due to the unfavorable customs regulations in Armenia, the Armenians in Javakhk are deprived of this opportunity to sell their products. [...].
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The difficult socio-economic conditions in Javakhk have resulted in mass emigration particularly among the young people. With the above-mentioned projects the Committee aims at countering the emigration of Armenians from Javakhk or at least minimizing it. [...].
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Note: Above are excerpts from the article. The full article appears here. Clarifications and comments by me are contained in {}. Deletions are marked by [...]. The bold emphasis is mine.