Armenia Click here to read the latest eNews from Armenia Save the Children has been active in Armenia since 1993, when we began managing assistance and development programs funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Department of State and others.  Since then, Save the Children has managed more than $45 million in aid programs reaching over 3.8 million of the most vulnerable children and families in Armenia.  We continue to be one of the leading assistance providers in the country, bringing expertise in health, education and social initiatives through community-based programs. Challenges for Children While many observers consider the humanitarian crisis in Armenia to be over, an estimated 35 percent of the population remains below the poverty line, living on less than $2 a day. Sixteen years after gaining independence from the former Soviet Union, Armenia is still suffering the social and economic impact of this tremendous change.  Despite high rates of economic growth, poverty is widespread and the quality of health, education and social services remains low. Numbers at a Glance The children-under-5 mortality rate is 29 per 1,000 live births. The infant mortality rate is 22 per 1,000 live births. The maternal mortality rate is 19 per 100,000 live births. Our Response Education:   The Children's Tolerance Education Project promotes the values of tolerance, cooperation, respect and compassion, reaching children aged 5-11 (along with their teachers and caretakers) by introducing conflict resolution skills, behaviors and attitudes.  The program features an educational television series with a cast of puppet characters, aired in three South Caucasus countries:  Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.  The first phase of the program (2004-2006) reached over 2 million children.  The current phase includes the production of additional television programs; training for teachers so they can lead discussions with children; and advocacy with Ministry of Education officials to include children's tolerance in the national curricula of the three Caucasus countries. Save the Children beneficiaries in Armenia. Health:  Save the Children works jointly with partner organizations on Project NOVA, a community-based approach to improve reproductive health services, as well as mother and child health services, in rural areas.  Project NOVA creates better conditions for health care services in more than 130 communities through the renovation of health posts, training of health care providers and improved cooperation between them and local authorities. Social:  Supported by USAID and the U.S. Embassy, Save the Children's Community Self-Help Fund seeks to improve basic economic and social conditions in some of Armenia's poorest areas through small grants for on-going community projects.  Dozens of community projects have been implemented since the program began in November 2003.  Examples include improvements to kindergartens, schools, health posts and hospitals and irrigation/water systems.  Projects help families overcome community problems and encourage self-help initiatives. Plans for the Future: Save the Children has prioritized the following areas to promote child protection and development in Armenia: Early childhood development programs; Women and child health, including maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition; Adolescent reproductive and sexual health; Livelihoods readiness for youth; and A greater focus on peace education and conflict resolution. For many years, women and children in the poor mountain community of Yenokavan visited the local nurse at home — or more often, went without needed health care — because the local health post was in such disrepair.  The dilapidated one-room facility, located in an unused municipal structure, had no water or electricity, nor did it have the most basic furniture, medical equipment or supplies to enable the nurse to offer even rudimentary care.  Save the Children’s Project NOVA (rural reproductive, maternal and child health project) made it possible for Yenokavan government officials, health workers and community members to work together to solve the problem.  Local officials provided a new space, residents improved the building with water/sewage systems, electricity, furniture, medical supplies and a health library.  Community members contributed half the total project cost in the form of volunteer labor and construction materials.  The village nurse completed a six-month training course on mother/child health care sponsored by Project NOVA.  Village residents now have access to basic health care and understand that with minimal resources, local knowledge and joint action, they can improve life for their children and families.  Donate now to support our work in Armenia