Our Mission:
Kooyrigs provides resources to the global Armenian network through launching community projects, implementing educational initiatives and amplifying marginalized voices.
ACTIVE
Housing Renovation Initiative
Since the occupation of Artsakh in September 2023, Armenia has witnessed a significant increase of Artsakhtsi refugees, with over 100,000 individuals seeking shelter and safety within its borders. Many of these refugees have managed to secure housing in various villages across Armenia, utilizing their last savings to purchase homes or find refuge in rental properties.
However, there is a concerning trend emerging as people from Artsakh are increasingly leaving Armenia, with a notable portion migrating to Russia in search of housing, stability and opportunities.
To address this challenge and support the integration of Artsakh refugees within Armenia, we established the Housing Renovation Initiative. Through this initiative, we utilize the Artsakh Housing Fund to renovate essential living spaces in homes, like bathrooms and kitchens. Our goal is to create livable and inviting spaces that restore dignity and support integration for families who were forcefully displaced.
First Renovation Complete! See the report here.
Shelter Initiative
On September 12, 2023, Artsakh was occupied by Azerbaijan after nine months of brutal blockade. This humanitarian crisis forced 120,000 Indigenous Armenians to flee their native land and leave behind everything to survive. The journey to Armenia was long and difficult, and many had nowhere to go upon arrival.
We established and operated a shelter in Yerevan for 51 days to support the needs of 60 displaced people as they initially settled. We collaborated with the Ministry of Social Affairs to identify families in need, partnered with Armenia’s National Sambo Federation for the shelter space, and teamed up with Karas National Food chain to provide hot meals.
Shelter Initiative Report
Community Projects
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Project Bliss
This project was launched 5 months into the Artsakh blockade with the goal of providing kids from rural villages in Artsakh with opportunities to create positive childhood memories in Stepanakert. Spearheaded by their teacher, Nina, these special excursions not only created amazing memories but generated revenue for business like restaurants, hotels, art/cultural centers, and other local businesses while they were suffering from the financial crisis of the blockade.
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Hadrut Art Center @ KetMarket!
We funded and promoted Hadrut Art Centre’s first ever art sale. HAC is a community arts organization that was originally based in Hadrut, Artsakh - but forcibly displaced. The center currently serves over 400 kids in Stepanakert and Yerevan. At the market, art was available for purchase to support the centers so they could buy art materials for a variety of creative cultural art classes.
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Send Nana to Highschool
Nana is a bright 16-year-old girl from Artsakh who got accepted into a prestigious IB high-school abroad. Though she received a scholarship, her journey to a better education was still fraught with financial obstacles. Thanks to our community, we raised $4,000 in time for her enrollment deadline. Today, she is in school and working towards gaining admission to a top university so she can study Diplomacy and represent Artsakh on the worlds stage.
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Toms NGO x Kooyrigs: Empowering the Future
Empowering the Future is an informal educational program that includes trainings in leadership, debate and communications in accordance with requirements of the modern labor market in Armenia & Artsakh.
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The Jane Youth Centre in Kolkhozashen
We supported the renovation of the Jane Youth Centre, an educational resource centre located with the goal of serving as an inviting community space that promotes learning for the local children & teens of the village.
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Community Mural in Aghavno, Artsakh
In collaboration with Rima Makarian of The Monarch Project , and with the helping hands of the local youth, we painted a mural for the Aghavno schoolhouse only a few weeks before Azerbaijan’s occupation of our land.
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Childrens Day 2023
We hosted a Children’s Day Celebration for 60 children who were displaced from Artsakh to Ararat, Armenia as a result of the 2020 Artsakh war. Each child received a gift bag with toys & snacks.
The Jane Youth Centre located in Kolkhozashen, Artsakh!!
Thanks to the donations of our wonderful community members, we were able to purchase new floors, beanbags, and books for the Jane Youth Centre!
*Special shoutout to Ashot Gabrielyan, the Founder of Jane Youth Centre, for all his hard work in bringing this project to life!
Mission Reports (2022)
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Providing necessary support to beneficiaries who have been displaced, as well as those who are actively residing within Armenian regions being targeted by Azerbaijan.
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As we transitioned out of providing Project Mayreeg care kits, we realized many beneficiary families in Ararat and Syunik, Armenia still are in need monthly support for items like groceries, sanitary goods, clothing, and medication. A majority of these families have suffered from displacement and/or have been severely impacted by the 2020 Artsakh war.
Our team visits their homes on a monthly basis and maintains telecommunication to ensure their immediate, necessary needs are met. In the case that they have specific critical needs (i.e. important home renovations, need for firewood, etc). We work with them to find solutions and fund the expenses.
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As a result of Azerbaijan’s aggression, Artsakh was left without gas in the month of March. Worse, the weather conditions were aggressive with raging snow storms and freezing temperatures. Due to the gas crisis, our 80 beneficiaries in Artsakh had no stove for cooking, no household gas heating, and no hot water. As a result, our team worked to provide the items most in need - heaters, burners and blankets. During the process, our team was unable to return from Artsakh to Armenia as planned due to severe road conditions. At this time, we purchased aid for families from markets in Artsakh directly. This aid includes food (bread, flour, oil and sugar) as well as sanitary items (diapers, pads, etc).
March 17 2022 Report, March 30 2022 Report, April 26 2022 Report
