A Good Start Heifer Armenia started a project in partnership with the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) and the Development Principles NGO in 2011. Through this partnership, 30 families received cows (one cow per family) and 20 families received potato seeds in the small village of Shirakamut. Shirakamut has a population of just over 2,000 people, most of which practice small-scale farming in livestock and horticulture. To support the community through this project, the village relies on Nahapet Palyan as the community project leader. To the families, he is a diligent and trustworthy man. One can always trust him for any task or rely on him in a difficult situation. Nahapet enjoys the love and respect of the people of Shirakamut. He does his best to support the local people with whatever he can. Nahapet’s family also received a cow from the project. Nahapet is a devoted husband, a loving son, and a good father. His family consists of his wife Anush, teenage son Seyran, and daughters Nina and Mariam. His elderly mother also lives with the family, granny Azganush. The whole family works hard. Even winter, which is often a time of scarce food and resources, is no longer a challenge for them. The family members equally share the work in the garden and on the farm throughout the year. Nahapet cares for the cow, Musho, who will deliver a calf soon, while Anush stores the potato and apple harvest from their garden. Granny Azganush can almost always be found tidying up the home and cooking for the children. When meeting new people in their home, Nahapet often proudly shares medals awarded to their daughter in karate competitions. She has one first place and one second place award in national competitions. The whole family credits her success to the improved nutrition from the cow’s milk and all the dairy products they can now prepare from Musho’s bounty. “Our cow, Musho, definitely has its own contribution in winning the awards. Our nutrition has changed and this is the result of it. Of course, it is also the result of Nina’s diligence, she spends lots of time on her trainings,” Nahapet shared. “We are planning to increase our farm. We understand that farming is very profitable,” Anush said. “It is the most stable source of income for any rural family. Heifer gave us the push, the rest we will do ourselves. Thanks to Heifer for the start!” Story and photos by Knarine Ghazanchyan, Program Coordinator Translated by Liana Hayrapetyan, Communication and PR Officer Heifer Armenia
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 06:27:49 +0000
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