Adopt-a-Village (AAV) Project

The Adopt-a-Village Project (AAV) is not about big money projects, which might be susceptible to corruption. It is about micro-projects in the main, many not involving cash, and a direct relationship between the Diaspora and villages, systematically reaching every Armenian village.

In 2022, AAV coordinators are operating in four provinces:

• Ararat (Ruzanna Gabrielyan);

• Shirak (Gayane Salnazaryan), Shirak (Anna Makeyan);

• Syunik (Arsine Sahakyan); and

• Vayots Dzor (Len Wicks and Armine Hakobyan).

It's about a transparent, audited and step-by-step arrangement that builds trust, and is totally controlled by the Diaspora representatives, reconnecting the Diaspora with their nation.

The Diaspora are expected to coordinate the assistance to the selected village and its environs, but they are not expected to fund or support the village by themselves. The Diaspora are simply reaching out to people and organisations that may be able to help the most vulnerable rural Armenians, and give them hope for the future.

Apart from the value of a direct relationship promoting trust between the Diaspora and rural Armenians, some members of the Diaspora may be encouraged to do personal charity work or even desire to return to Armenia. Other potential benefits include the:

• promotion of the village and Armenia within the donor nation;

• welcoming of donor nation tourists and Diaspora in the village; and

• wider appreciation of Armenia, its culture and the genocide.

We would like to upscale AAV to benefit all rural Armenian villages, so all 900 villages in Armenia have a mentor!

 Following is an example of actions that might be taken by the Armenian Diaspora representatives (DR) and village representatives (VR) in sequence:

¹ During the AAV trial period to us adoptavillagearmenia@gmail; but after the trials, to the Regional Governor

² Argentina Template, British Isles Template, Canada Template, France Template, Georgia Template, Germany Template, Russia Template, USA Template

³ It is recommended that each micro-project is managed by a member of the Diaspora, and one member of the Diaspora oversees the progress of all the projects