Gender Equality Armenia Project #18472

LOCAL HANDICRAFTS FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

by Homeland Development Initiative Foundation

Nov 12, 2021

New Producer Partner Group in Voskevan

By Lilit Khachatryan - Marketing Specialist

We have great news! HDIF family is getting bigger and bigger.

We have recently started cooperating with a group of talented young people from Voskevan village of Tavush in Armenia.

Tey make our beautiful Christmas cards which were recently very popular among our customers. We got a lot of orders and good feedback about their work. These are the three design that they mainly do: Pine forest for Christmas, Voskevan in the snow, Christmas tree.

They've always made cards, but collaboration with HDIF opened new opportunities for them. As Voskevan is a bordering village, there is not much to do for youngsters besides agriculture. Most of them seek the stable employment to support their families. This is how these artsy people came up together to do something which is close to their hearts.We found out about Voskevan group through the help of our producer partners in Koghb, Armenia. This is such an inspiring how HDIF producer partners help us to expand our mission and vision. We hope to see them grow more in the very near future!

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Sep 22, 2021

Lena and Her Sisters' Small Business in Armenia

By Lilit Khachatryan - Marketing Specialist

Lena and Her Sister

Lena is an Armenian from Aleppo. She moved to Armenia with her sisters in 2014 because of the war in Syria. Tricot-knitting had been her occupation for many years. Upon arriving in Yerevan, she continued her career, and in 2016, Lena and her sisters established a small family business.

They founded LENA, a wool-clothing brand that offers unique, high quality sweaters and fashion garments, especially for children. She’s one of a few Syrian Armenian women working with HDIF.

Lena shared, "Having my input in this kind of initiative is very rewarding. Usually, I make woolen home decor and seasonal items. Lucky me many people find them beautiful and that’s the main motivation for me to continue my work."

HDIF has helped Lena expand her collection to include home decor and seasonal items. Today she employs other Syrian Armenian women as a result of the high demand for her quality products. Most Syrian Armenians are based in Yerevan. With their expertise and craftsmanship, they have enhanced the rich cultural fabric of Armenia.

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Jul 9, 2021

Maral's Unique Art in HDIF - From Syria To Armenia

By Lilit Khachatryan - Marketing Specialist

Maral at HDIF's store-office

Maral is one of the talented creators of HDIF's artisan handicrafts.

Maral came to Armenia with her family from Syria in 2015. Here she started a small handicraft business on her own, which has begun its wholesale production under the auspices of HDIF. Maral works with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Armenia by making different products for their MADE 51 project.

She enjoys her job a lot, which used to be her favorite hobby. Ever since Maral was a child, she had the unconditional love for Armenian culture and traditions. Maral's grandmother decided to teach her embroidery techniques. And It has been transformed into a creative handicraft based on a variety of traditional elements and symbols.

Maral has a unique artistic vision. Many people not only in Armenia but also abroad have noticed her beautiful works. That’s how she began participating in various international exhibitions held in Syria, France, Brazil, Canada and other countries as well. Today she gives master classes of handicrafts to Armenian women who want to pursue an art career.

Necklace with Armenian Symbols

Ornaments with Marash Traditional Embroidery

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Mar 19, 2021

Hamlet and Tamta's Cozy Cafe in Berd #3

By Tim Straight - Founder and Executive Director

An amazing transition is going to happen to make Berdi Aygi. Their downstairs storage space will become a trendy, cozy cafe, using much of the existing furniture and serving yummy locally made gata and other Tavushian recipes!

There is no cafe like this in the entire Berd region, which is less than five kilometers from the front line. Since the war, the tensions have been high. With this little project, we want to bring a sense of a normal, positive, optimistic life back to Berd.

HDIF founder Tim's birthday is one week away, and he wants to use it to help Tamta and Hamlet make this happen! Please help out!

Thank you!

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Mar 17, 2021

Hamlet and Tamta's Cozy Cafe in Berd #2

By Tim Straight - Founder and Executive Director

Hamlet and Tamta in Berd are so excited! They have chosen a name for their cafe! It will be called 'Berdi Aygi', or Berd Garden. It will be the first of its kind in the whole Berd region - cozy, with all kinds of tasty locally made Tavushian dishes.

HDIF Founder Tim is just as excited as Hamlet and Tamta are. He is using his 64th birthday to collect donations to help Berdi Aygi get on its feet.

HDIF's ambitious Sari Janapar project is also working on getting several bed and breakfasts going in the villages of Norashen, Itsakar, Navur, Tavush, as well as Berd town, as well as laying about 100 kilometers of trails. Berdi Aygi will be a wonderful compliment to this larger effort.

Let's all pitch in an make Hamlet and Tamta's Berdi Aygi dream come true!

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