AVC Newsletter Winter 2011

International Volunteer Day in Armenia

AVC volunteer Sima Cunningham (USA) with Manana Youth Center participants

In observance of International Volunteer Day, on December 5, 2010, the Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC) organized, “One More Day for Yerevan,” a partial Yerevan city clean to help keep the city clean and enhance a community of engaged citizens.

Joining AVC volunteers in observing International Volunteer Day were volunteers from a wide range of organizations including the Armenian Red Cross Society, Eurasia International University, Professionals for Civil Society, and the Manana Youth Center—where AVC volunteer Sima Cunningham (USA) was serving.

Sima spent three months utilizing her musical talents to creatively teach English at the Manana Youth Center and she encouraged her students to spend the day volunteering with AVC.

Volunteering: Supporting and Sustaining Armenia’s Artisans

adrine_charist_tim_homeland_handicrafts

AVC volunteers participateed in the launch and work of an innovative new coalition working to support and sustain Armenia’s artisans.

Launched in 2010, Homeland Handicrafts is an entirely voluntary organization which focuses on helping artisans develop and promote products, primarily creating jobs for women in rural communities. The nonprofit was established by Timothy Straight, the honorary consul of Finland and Norway in Armenia, who is also a product developer for a women’s cooperative in Sri Lanka.

Homeland Handicrafts helps Armenian artisans create marketable handicraft products by drawing elements from samples of the artisans’ work and providing feedback on colors, design, materials and construction. The products are promoted through Facebook, the Homeland Handicrafts’ website, outdoor festivals and fairs.

AVC Winter 2011 Newsletter in PDF

Download the full version in PDF. AVC Winter 2011 Newsletter.

Category: AVC Newsletter Winter 2011