Historico-geographical review
Location : Shirak region, 38km from Gyumri
Population : 1048 (534 men and 514 women, 310 children, as for December 2011)
Lanjik is our largest beneficiary community and is situated on the highway from Gyumri to Yerevan. It was established in 1840 and was populated by people expelled from Mush, Basen and Alashkert (Eastern Armenia). It was named Muslukhli before but was renamed Lanjik in 1947. The village is situated on the foothills of Aragats Mountain in a hilled valley on the left of Gyumri-Yerevan highway; 35 km from Gyumri and 10km from Maralik. It is at the height of 1960m above sea level.
Precipitation level here is low. It has mild mountainous climate with long lasting winters and stable snow cover.
The national background of the population is homogeneous. People are mainly occupied with cattle breeding and grain cultivation. There is a typical secondary school, a house of culture, a library, a kindergarten and a medical point in the village. The village church was built in 1908, restored in 1996. The restored village is of great importance for the village.
Masses are held here by Father Anton Totonjian, priest at Shirak marz Catholic Church. Majority of the village population attend those masses. Father Anton’s activities are not limited to this. Singing, dance and karate groups are organized and function actively in the village under his patronage.
There are 253 households in the community. Population number (as of December 01, 2011) is 1048, of whom women – 514, men -534.
Agriculture is the main occupation and source of income for the population. It is seasonal in the community due to cold climatic conditions (snow cover for 6-7 months). Majority of the population earn their living through labour migration.
50 people are employed in the village municipality, school, kindergarten, post office, television tower maintenance, medical point and the trading places.
There aren’t sufficient drinking water supplies in the village’s administrative area. Village leaders think that the best way for solving drinking water issue is the availability of water accumulation-dis
Garbage removal works are disorganized in the community. There is a special place at the suburbs for garbage accumulation. Due to the absence of garbage trucks and garbage removal culture in general, it still remains priority issue for the community.
Lanjik “Community Center”
A community center was established in Lanjik in 2008 with the support of “Women for Development” NGO. The center’s objective was to promote the creation of a healthy and peaceful lifestyle culture in the community by contributing to the formation of peaceful and healthy atmosphere. On this purpose actions are taken to develop participatory approach and interest among Arpeni community members to create peace and peaceful conflict resolution culture, develop skills in leading a healthy lifestyle and health protection among Torosgyugh community members, stimulate work towards the institutionaliza
Complex development plan 2012-2014 was made on the initiative of Lanjik Commnity Centre and “Women for Development” NGO together with the village mayor, community council members, school and kindergarten staffs, community individuals. The strategic plan defines the main directions of the community development for the coming 2 years. It will serve as a guide for keeping, promoting and raising the quality and the appropriate level of service provision. It will have its impact on the mobilization of the community members and the increase of their participation level in the community matters.
Implemented social projects
The goal of the project:
To support the development of the cultural life of Lanjik community bringing the organization of the kids’ free time close to the city criteria.
Project duration: 2 months
Project total budget – 308 000 AMD
Community contribution – 55 000 AMD
WFD contribution – 198 000 AMD
Fundraising – 55 000
Project output:
– Lanjik Community Center has necessary costumes for organization of Christmas and children’s parties.
– The events organized with the participation the fairy tales heroes have become interesting and memorable
Project impact:
The regularly organized events have changed the daily life of the village kids bringing it close to the city criteria.
TRADITIONAL ARMENIAN DANCE COSTUMES
The goal of the project: to support mobilization of the community by strengthening the child – parent – community link and to keep the national traditions, develop the esthetic taste of the youth, raise love towards dancing and Armenian national values.
Project duration – 2months
Project total budget – 2000 USD
The project is funded by the Nairi and Sevan Balyans family in frames of the project “100 for 100” by “Paros” Foundation on the initiative of the NGO “Women for Development”.
Project output:
Armenian national costumes were designed and sawn, shoes were gained for the 30 members of the dance groups from Lanjik and Torosgyugh communities.
Project impact:
– The cultural life of Lanjik and Torosguygh communities has become more active
– The participation of the community members in the organized events has increased
– Armenian national and traditional dances are preserved and presented in a new way
– The repertoire is updated and new dances are staged
– Intercommunity events and trips are being organized
ECONOMIC STABILITY THROUGH OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING
The project is implemented through assistance of Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) in frames of the NGO “Women for Development” project “Rural Community Development” (2014 – 2016). The project is worked out by NGO WFD and Peace Corps volunteer Bobbie Seltzer.
The goal of the project.
– To improve the quality of life in four villages through the occupational training of several interested women and/or men.
– To provide opportunities for important services to be provided by villagers to villagers thereby keeping limited cash funds within the village and with village families.
Project duration: 7 months
Project total budget: 915.000 AMD
The project funds were raised through contribution of mainly USA citizens in the organized fundraising campaign.
Project outcome:
- 4 young women have participated in 5-month training and received certificates. 3 more women and 1 young man received ToT training from the main participants
In 4 beneficiary communities (Arpeni, Torosgiugh, Tsoghamarg and Lanjik) the hairdressing service is established.