I feel protected in my new black boots – Winter gifts help children survive severe cold

Winter in Armenia is usually accompanied with a lot of snow. It is a season of joy for some children. But, it also a season of survival for vulnerable families where temperatures in the coldest regions of the country regularly reach 35 degrees Celsius below zero.

In Armenia, more than 370,000 children still live in poverty. Families living in far communities sometimes leave their children in institutionalized care centres, often referred to as “night care institutions” because the parents simply cannot meet even their children’s basic needs—food and shelter—to survive. The lucky children are able to go home on the weekends and see their families.

It is already been two years since Armen, 14, and Armine, 12, left the night care institution to move home. In 2010, their mother, Anush, faced with increased bills and unemployment, made one of the hardest decisions a mother can—she chose to send her children to an institution. She knew that if nothing else, they would at least get food every day and have a warm bed. She did not want them to suffer hunger and cold at home. 

The two years that Armen and Armine spend away from their mother were the most difficult of their lives. “They phoned me every day to say hi or wish me good night,” remembers Anush. “I couldn’t call them back, since Iwas not able to pay for the phone bills at that time,” she remembers.

“I could not eat anything, even though nothing special was available to eat” 

“I lost my weight and my health worrying about my kids. I could not eat anything, even though nothing special was available to eat,” recalls Anush. “But now, thanks to World Vision’s continuous work, my kids are with me and I’m able to take care of them,” she adds.

Today, Armen and Armine study in the secondary school of their community and live with their mother. World Vision also helps the family with warm clothing and boots. Thanks to generous donors from other countries, families like Anush’s have a more positive outlook on life.

“I like my new boots so much! They are very tight and strong and don’t have holes in them,” shares Armen, 14, excited as he trys on his new black boots. “I feel protected and I like the colour,” he adds.

“I have always worn my mother’s or brother’s worn-out shoes, even during winter time"

“I like my new green coat and black boots very much,” adds Armine, 12. “I have never had boots, I have always worn my mother’s or brother’s worn-out shoes, even during winter time. Now, we can both wear our own black boots,” shares Armine 12, hugging her presents and looking at her brother.

Seeing World Vision’s continuous and devoted work in the communities to help vulnerable families stand on their own feet also motivated a local cabinetmaker to donate small child beds to ease the everyday burden of families.

In cooperation with the local donors, World Vision Armenia has been able to help 64 children return to their parents over the past two years, by helping them develop consistent streams of income and opportunity.

Each year, World Vision Armenia receives about $2,000,000 (USD) worth clothing, shoes, school supplies, hygiene items and other goods to support the vulnerable families in communities of Armenia.