Report of the coordinator of the RECEA project in Armenia: N. Mnatsakanyan

Report of the coordinator of the RECEA project in Armenia: N. Mnatsakanyan

• In August 2013 an Armenian family of 3 members was back from Germany: mother and two children. They lived in Saxony in a camp for migrants over 1.5 years. As long as S. K. could not adapt to the living conditions of the camp and had serious moral issues, she made a decision about volunteer re-emigration. The expenses of the flight were covered within the project RECEA. She got a financial and social support for the all members of her family after returning to Armenia. During her stay in Germany Smbatyan was suggested to represent a business plan for starting her own business. She chose an agricultural work: in particular, grain sowing. This plan was realistic, because this woman lives in a village, and agricultural work was familiar to her.

Her family was ready to support her and have its own input. Employees of the Hope and Help NGO helped her in writing a business plan, paid home visits and discussed all with her parents. The plan was approved and funded by 2000 euros within the project RECEA. At this current moment cultivation of the land, grain sowing and fertilization of the land is implemented.

Her children go to school. The family refused to visit RECEA centre, because it’s far from Yerevan, and very often there’s no opportunity of the transportation of children, so as to engage them in lessons. In addition, she received more 2000 euros for the organization of the household, medical examinations and the treatment/ she has serious health problems/. It’s worth to mention that her mental state has recovered significantly, she started to believe in herself. She found a job: is giving computer classes at the school. Very often she calls to the NGO, as keeping in touch with the NGO workers, getting their support, makes her believe that her decision to return to the homeland was right.

• D. F. was back to Armenia from Bulgaria in October, 2013. This beneficiary was a volunteer within a youth project. The reason for an early return was an unexpected illness. In total he stayed in Bulgaria only 1.5 months.  While returning from Bulgaria to Armenia his winter clothes were lost. An advocate was hired by the NGO within the project, so as to compensate his loss from the air company Al Italia and obtain a health insurance. D’s state is stabilized, behavior is adequate. He has computer skills, and was suggested to take a training course on learning more difficult computer programs for enhancing his competitiveness in the labor market. The idea interested him and he promised to choose a course. He received 250 euros within the project.  

• C. G. and her two children made a decision of a voluntary return from Bulgaria on September 2013. She lived in Plovdiv for the last 15 years. She settled down in parents' house, because she doesn’t have her own one. Her one child visits the RECEA center. Her mother looks after her youngest child: so as to organize a daytime care in the kindergarten the registration should be done a year before.

C. received 250 euros for attending hairdressing courses. For this purpose hairdressing equipment was purchased. She received 1100 euros for improving her life conditions after her return.

C. is very determined, motivated to learn hairdressing and is sure that she can succeed in practice also. During the talks very often she mentions about her right decision to return to Armenia. She addresses to the H&H NGO on various life issues.

• K. M.  is 22 years old. He returned from Germany on December 2013 after staying there for 4.5 months. Since he voluntarily returned to Armenia within the RECEA project, he got a chance to use the services suggested by the project. K.was suggested to represent a business plan for a grant. He chose to run his own car wash business.  

After returning to Armenia he visited to the  NGO office two times, and for the few times he  had phone conversations with the employees of the project.

Suggested business plan is not realistic at this stage: proposed price for the car wash territory was unreasonably high, prices for the purchase of equipments are overestimated and the payment of a hired employee is estimated law. At this stage, the joint work continues on a business plan.

• Spouses A. K. and V. O. voluntary returned on January 2014. They live in the village Khandjyan 70km away from Yerevan. They are typical representatives of the countryside: entire life they were occupied by agriculture and cattle raising by cultivating vegetables, keeping cattle and piglets. Till now the cow-shed is preserved in a usable condition.

They live with their son’s family in a stone cottage. In general the house is in a normal state for living, though in two rooms the roof leaks.

These migrants have many problems: they need to recover their documents, formalize their pension issues and strengthen their mental state. While being in Germany they applied for a business plan to get an opportunity to keep cattle. When the employees of the project visited them at their place, they could prove that are able to realize the proposed plan. While formalizing the pension issues on the base of pure health state they will have to wait for the medical documents from Germany regarding V’s health state. 

                                                                             

                                                               

• H. O. is 62 years old. He returned from Bulgaria to Armenia on January 2014, where he lived over 15 years. He doesn't have his own house here and will be settled down at his relatives for some time. From the very first visit it was obvious that he has psychological issues because of the 15 year absence from the country. He has issues of social adaptation and separation from his family.

Addresses of some apartments were suggested to him for a rent the day he visited the NGO. O. preferred apartments which are closer to his relatives’ location. He was consulted on various issues: documents’ /passport, driving license/ formalization. All details connected with the financial support, conditions of realization have been discussed.

He received his passport, driving license, and a temporary apartment was rented for him. With the help of his relatives he is actively searching for a car for the further usage a taxi. He keeps in touch with the employees of the project all the time.

A week later, after his return to Armenia his mental state has significantly changed, and he is ready for the further cooperation within the project, he has a clear vision of his future, and sees perspectives in job and further adaptation.