Anton, age 45, lives with his wife in an impoverished part of Armenia, where they lost their son in the 2020 conflict. Anton also provides for his other children, plus his elderly mother and his sister, who has a disability. The family has always grown produce and trees and bred livestock for a living, but after the conflict they found themselves at a loss.
The conflict displaced tens of thousands of people who fled to the region of Armenia where Anton lives, and most have been unable to return home. Thousands of families like Anton’s lost their primary breadwinners in the conflict, adding economic hardship to personal loss.
Working with ART—a coalition of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the World Council of Churches, and an IOCC partner since 2007—IOCC is reaching some of the hardest-hit areas, helping both local and displaced families rebuild their incomes and lives.* IOCC and ART are coordinating as ART expands its work to serve more people in need.
Through an IOCC-ART program happening now, Anton and his family received two cows, two calves, and fodder to keep the animals well fed. Anton can use the milk to make cheese and other products for his family, or he can sell the dairy in his neighborhood and at a nearby market. Anton’s is one of 50 families that are receiving not only microgrants like this, tailored to their experience and skills, but also business-planning support and training in communication, problem solving, social media marketing, and risk assessment. They’re learning about entrepreneurship, budgeting, and accounting, and how to run a business in Armenia according to local regulations.
For Anton and his family, the new animals represent a fresh start—as does the baby daughter that he and his wife recently welcomed. Despite the challenging circumstances, with customized support from IOCC and our local partner, Anton and his family are building a new life and looking to the future.
*World Council of Churches Armenia Inter-Church Charitable Round Table Foundation (ART)
