Young economists: Armenian students start business & gain confidence for future
‘Applied Economics’ might not be a subject that excites every school student but for teenagers in Mets Ayrum Community in Armenia’s Alaverdi region, this new school course has provided a new perspective on gaining future employment and the possibility of staying in their isolated, struggling community.At age 14, Manane Khachatryan is very aware that money doesn’t \'grow on trees\' and earning an income in her hometown of Mets Ayrum Community in Alaverdi Region, northern Armenia, is especially tough. When World Vision introduced a new “Applied Economics” subject in her school, it suddenly opened doors that never existed for her and other youth here.
For me it was so exciting to be able to earn money just by myself, as I know how hard it is for the adults; it is even harder for youngstersManane’s parents are unemployed and Manane has been certain that the same fate awaits her because jobs are hard to come by in her small 1,122-member community, where the majority of residents are refugees from neighbouring Azerbaijan after the Nagorno-Karabakh armed conflict between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces.
As a high-school student Manane made up her mind to become a nurse, but she believes that she can only realize her dream if she leaves for a bigger town with better job opportunities. “It is very hard to find a job in Mets Ayrum, I know I would need to try to find something somewhere else”, she says.
Manane wants to change her life not only because of the high level of unemployment but also because it is very hard for young people to live in this isolated border village where little has changed in decades.
The community school alone speaks volumes about the people’s living conditions here. The old imposing building is in desperate need of renovation and the dilapidated furniture needs to be repaired or replaced. Some worn-out parquet flooring hints at the once good condition of the neglected school.
Encouragingly change is happening amongst the students – particularly for Manane and some 11 students from the high school who participated in the unknown subject “Applied Economics”.
Together with “Junior Achievements” NGO, World Vision organised the course in some seven community schools of Alaverdi Region believing this to be a solid opportunity to educate students for their future life while choosing a profession and earning a living.
“World Vision wants the children to become confident in their own capacity and to understand that they are able to earn a living on their own merit and without anyone else’s support”, says Varazdat Sargsyan, World Vision Armenia Alaverdi Area Development Programme Manager.
The Basics of Economics, Starting a Business, Finances, Stock Market were included in a four-month- course, taught by the respective schoolteachers.
“The course is very important for the students as it is based on real samples from our everyday life, and it prepares the children for a more aware and prepared adulthood”, says Siranoush Tsukhumyan, the teacher of Applied Economy in Mets Ayrum School.
It [the course] gave the students confidence, knowledge and life-skillsRight after finishing the course students had to prepare a business plan and implement it with their own means and capital.“We didn’t have any capital so we decided to establish a joint stock company, sell our shares to those villagers who are interested in our future business and then start it”, remembers Hovik Shirinyan, the president of “MAG” JSC.
“As there was a sewing club in our school, where the female members of our company were studying, we decided to base our business on this club and start a sewing business”, says Nune Arakelyan, 13, the Finance Responsible of the JSC.
By selling shares the students obtained a modest
some 7,000 AMD (US$18.50) in capital. They did some market research, and discovered that many of the women in the community would love to have aprons, handles, table covers, pillow cases etc.
“With the support of our teacher we bought the necessary materials, asked the permission of the School Principal to use the capacity of the sewing club and started the work”, explain the students.
In just one month the students doubled their starting capital. “We trusted the production of the goods to the girls who sew well; the rest of the members were busy with organising the sales and simultaneously advertising our product and bringing new requests”, remembers the teacher.
At the end of the educational year students had to stop their business for the summer holidays, as the school was closed and many of them left for the holidays.
“But they haven’t touched both their starting capital and their income as they are determined to come back at the new school year and restart their business”, says the teacher.
When asked “what did this course give to you?” Manane smiles and says, “it gave a lot”. “For me it was so exciting to be able to earn money just by myself, as I know how hard it is for the adults; it is even harder for youngsters”.
”It gave the students confidence, knowledge and life-skills”, added her teacher.
Another exciting moment for the students during the course was a tour to a well-known company where they learnt about the production process and the kinds of skills that are currently in demand.
Will Manane pursue her wish to become a nurse? “The course and the tour made me understand that it is possible to find a job and earn a living. I just need to give it a lot of thought what I want to become and how I can live a dignified life”, says Manane.
Providing training like ‘Applied Economics’ is just one way World Vision’s economic development work across Armenia is helping to ensure all children are educated for life and are cared for, protecting and participating in their communities.
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For me it was so exciting to be able to earn money just by myself, as I know how hard it is for the adults; it is even harder for youngstersManane’s parents are unemployed and Manane has been certain that the same fate awaits her because jobs are hard to come by in her small 1,122-member community, where the majority of residents are refugees from neighbouring Azerbaijan after the Nagorno-Karabakh armed conflict between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces.
As a high-school student Manane made up her mind to become a nurse, but she believes that she can only realize her dream if she leaves for a bigger town with better job opportunities. “It is very hard to find a job in Mets Ayrum, I know I would need to try to find something somewhere else”, she says.
Manane wants to change her life not only because of the high level of unemployment but also because it is very hard for young people to live in this isolated border village where little has changed in decades.
The community school alone speaks volumes about the people’s living conditions here. The old imposing building is in desperate need of renovation and the dilapidated furniture needs to be repaired or replaced. Some worn-out parquet flooring hints at the once good condition of the neglected school.
Encouragingly change is happening amongst the students – particularly for Manane and some 11 students from the high school who participated in the unknown subject “Applied Economics”.
Together with “Junior Achievements” NGO, World Vision organised the course in some seven community schools of Alaverdi Region believing this to be a solid opportunity to educate students for their future life while choosing a profession and earning a living.
“World Vision wants the children to become confident in their own capacity and to understand that they are able to earn a living on their own merit and without anyone else’s support”, says Varazdat Sargsyan, World Vision Armenia Alaverdi Area Development Programme Manager.
The Basics of Economics, Starting a Business, Finances, Stock Market were included in a four-month- course, taught by the respective schoolteachers.
“The course is very important for the students as it is based on real samples from our everyday life, and it prepares the children for a more aware and prepared adulthood”, says Siranoush Tsukhumyan, the teacher of Applied Economy in Mets Ayrum School.
It [the course] gave the students confidence, knowledge and life-skillsRight after finishing the course students had to prepare a business plan and implement it with their own means and capital.“We didn’t have any capital so we decided to establish a joint stock company, sell our shares to those villagers who are interested in our future business and then start it”, remembers Hovik Shirinyan, the president of “MAG” JSC.
“As there was a sewing club in our school, where the female members of our company were studying, we decided to base our business on this club and start a sewing business”, says Nune Arakelyan, 13, the Finance Responsible of the JSC.
By selling shares the students obtained a modest
some 7,000 AMD (US$18.50) in capital. They did some market research, and discovered that many of the women in the community would love to have aprons, handles, table covers, pillow cases etc.
“With the support of our teacher we bought the necessary materials, asked the permission of the School Principal to use the capacity of the sewing club and started the work”, explain the students.
In just one month the students doubled their starting capital. “We trusted the production of the goods to the girls who sew well; the rest of the members were busy with organising the sales and simultaneously advertising our product and bringing new requests”, remembers the teacher.
At the end of the educational year students had to stop their business for the summer holidays, as the school was closed and many of them left for the holidays.
“But they haven’t touched both their starting capital and their income as they are determined to come back at the new school year and restart their business”, says the teacher.
When asked “what did this course give to you?” Manane smiles and says, “it gave a lot”. “For me it was so exciting to be able to earn money just by myself, as I know how hard it is for the adults; it is even harder for youngsters”.
”It gave the students confidence, knowledge and life-skills”, added her teacher.
Another exciting moment for the students during the course was a tour to a well-known company where they learnt about the production process and the kinds of skills that are currently in demand.
Will Manane pursue her wish to become a nurse? “The course and the tour made me understand that it is possible to find a job and earn a living. I just need to give it a lot of thought what I want to become and how I can live a dignified life”, says Manane.
Providing training like ‘Applied Economics’ is just one way World Vision’s economic development work across Armenia is helping to ensure all children are educated for life and are cared for, protecting and participating in their communities.
-Ends-
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