Four young people with special needs at the “Arvestaran” educational and cultural center have been actively involved in the “Loshik” social entrepreneurship program for several months now. Thanks to the program, they make loshes (flatbread), pancakes, rusks and lunch boxes, which are later sold in supermarkets and cafes, providing work not only for young people but also for their parents.

The “Arvestaran” educational and cultural center is one of the winners of the “Stepan Gishyan” Charitable Foundation’s annual grant program. Thanks to the program, the kitchen has been reequipped, enabling young people to expand production volumes and ensure more sales.

“The “Arvestaran” NGO solves an important social problem. There are few such organizations that take into account the importance of integrating children with special needs into society, especially the importance of integrating them into the work process. And organizations like “Arvestaran” have taken a very important step in this direction,” noted Anna Gishyan, Director of the “Stepan Gishyan” Charitable Foundation.

“In the beginning, there were many difficulties. It was very difficult to convey skills, but now the boys have quite a lot of independence. Through the “Stepan Gishyan” Charitable Foundation, we were able to take a big step forward, because we did not have the appropriate equipment so that we would be able to receive these products and we were making everything by hand. Such support gives us very, very big “wings” and we are starting to move forward with great enthusiasm,” noted Hasmik Tangyan, Founder of the “Arvestaran” NGO.

The “Stepan Gishyan” Charitable Foundation was established by ACBA Bank, the French Credit Agricole, the Credit Agricole National Federation and the Gishyan Family. The Foundation's programs are aimed at strengthening Armenian-French ties, improving and perfecting Armenia's socio-economic, scientific-educational, cultural, and healthcare systems.

See details in the video.