On July 15, there was a happy celebration in the basement hall of the large church in Vanadzor, Armenia. At first glance, it appeared to be another graduation ceremony, but this was much more. It was a time to witness smiles returning to faces that had, for too long, shed tears and dealt with grief and loss compounded by the uncertainty of relocation. A group of women, who, along with their families, had been displaced from their homes in Artsakh, received a second chance, a chance to start over. Each woman completed months of sewing and tailoring training as part of a special opportunity organized by the Gougark Diocese. They spent several hours a week learning how to design and sew clothing, while studying business principles and practicing techniques to improve their physical and mental health. Each graduate, on completing their course of study, was awarded a brand-new sewing machine for them to create their own products and start their own small business ventures.

When Armenians were exiled from their ancestral homeland in Artsakh in 2023, prospects for the future looked bleak. The Azeri plan of ethnic cleansing created over 120,000 refugees. A group of them were resettled in Vanadzor. Although Vanadzor is the third largest city in Armenia (behind Yerevan and Gyumri) and is blessed with the beauty of nature, job opportunities are scarce, especially for married or older women who face systemic discrimination in the workforce. Economically many families find it difficult to make a living wage and are forced to leave Armenia to find work in places such as Moscow.

Over the last year, Epostle representatives made two trips to Vanadzor under the program “Vibrantz for Vanadzor,” aiming to establish partnerships between Epostle and the Diocese in Vanadzor. In our most recent visit in March, we heard the stories of despair and hopelessness directly from the refugee women from Artsakh. Touched by each struggle, Epostle committed to supporting the women and helping them build a new life and a better future in their new homeland.

Vibrantz for Vanadzor funded the entire training program and the new sewing machines for each woman. Today, seeing their smiles, their enthusiasm and their hope, we know that they will take the skills they have learned and mark their new successes in the next chapter of their lives. We are so proud of each participant, and we are forever grateful for the amazing teaching and leadership team of the Gougark Diocese who has made such positive impacts.

Vibrantz for Vanadzor began with the Cars & Coffee for Artsakh fund raiser at the Western Diocese and St. Leon Armenian Church in 2023. Thanks to the commitment and direction of Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Diocesan Primate, the program gained momentum through the Gougark Diocese and their Primate, Bishop Hovnan Hakopyan.

We will continue to support and follow-up with each graduate as they continue their journey of building a financial foundation for themselves and their families. Please join us and continue to follow Epostle to witness the positive progress from Vibrantz in Vanadzor.