LOCAL HANDICRAFTS FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

1. Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities (EREO) in Vanadzor, Armenia aspires to improve visibility and public access for those with with physical disabilities, as well as help find or create jobs for its members.

Anush Aslanyan, EREO’s president, is a young woman with an iron will. The organization has 12 disabled members, an army of volunteers, and dozens of beneficiaries. Their disabilities include multiple sclerosis, hearing impairment, and visual impairment.

EREO's members make a variety of different handicraft products to provide an income to both the disabled artisans and the organization.  

EREO produces mugs with Armenian traditional needleowrk patterns designs for HDIF to be sold online and in the retail gift shop located in Yerevan. 

In August EREO has been told that they must vacate their current location by September because the space has been sold.  Sadly, they have moved four times in the past five years.  NOT EASY!  HDIF is helping EREO locate a permanent home where the organization can establish stability, provide improved accessibility for its members, and continue to conduct the amazing work they do with the disabled community in the region.

2. We are happy to report that your dollars are helping survivors of domestic and sexual violence learn new, marketable skills.  HDIF-USA's founder and executive director, Beth Broussalian, met with the staff of the Women's Resource Center Armenia (WRCA) to discuss the progress of the SHARE THE LOVE project.  Beautiful baptism blankets as well as baby boy and baby girl blanket/hat sets are being made with the knitting machines purchased thanks to SHARE THE LOVE donations.  These new items will be available in HDIF's retail shop and online in the fall. We are grateful for your support!