Tag Archives: U.S. Embassy

U.S. Embassy Expands English Access to Remote Areas of Armenia

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 On June 10, the U. S. Embassy in Armenia, together with Children of Armenia Fund (COAF), launched a new English learning initiative that will expand English learning resources in remote areas of Armenia.  The Expanding English Access – Reaching Remote Regions with New Technologies project was initiated and is funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented in partnership with COAF.   The project will reach language-learners in Armenia’s remote regions, where resources for learning English are either limited or non-existent.  The program is intended for post-high school youth in regional towns via the Internet and selected regional libraries and schools.  The recruitment focused on the 17-35 year-old demographic, a group that does not generally have access to classroom resources or instruction if not attending university or private classes.  The curriculum is composed of two streams – social and business English. It includes two online classes twice a week and one face-to-face communicative English class with a local teacher once a week. The pilot phase includes approximately 150 participants from Armavir, Gavar, Yeghegnadzor and Goris.

Blood Drive in Armenia organized at the U.S. Embassy by the Hematology Center

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A blood drive, “Have a Heart, Save a Life,” was organized at the U.S. Embassy by the Hematology Center. Ambassador John A. Heffern, Deputy Minister of Health Sergey Khachatryan, and Director of the Hematology Center Smbat Daghbashyan took part in the event, offering congratulatory words.

“Giving blood is a normal part of life in the United States”, the Ambassador said. “We are proud to partner with the Hematology Center so that Armenian organizations and businesses can also take part in giving the gift of life.”

 

Volunteer donations of blood are not common in Armenia yet. Only 4% of blood donations are from volunteers. 51% of donations are from relatives, and 45% of donations are from people who are paid.

“This was a common practice in the United States until the 1960’s”, said Ellen Dempsey, Health Practitioner at the U.S. Embassy. “It eventually became clear that paying for blood was not a good use of resources. The volunteer movement started, and more resources were available for things like research, diagnosis and patient care,” she said.

 

The current system of blood donation in Armenia involves asking a relative to donate when blood is needed.   If a relative is unable to donate for some reasons, then a previous donor is contacted and asked to donate. These donors are paid.

 

արյունատվությունThe Hematology Center has sufficient supplies of blood, however the share of blood from voluntary donors is not enough, and they would like to see a significant increase in the number of voluntary donors.  This is an approach practiced in all developed countries and is recommended by the Council of Europe and the World Health Organization.

 

The blood collected today will be set aside for use by children and the needy at no charge.   If there is enough interest, the Hematology Center would be willing to organize blood drives for Armenian businesses and organizations on-site or at the Hematology Center.

 

ԱՄՆ դեսպան“We are very happy to start this initiative in Armenia,” said Professor Smbat Daghbashyan . “Our supply of volunteer blood is low, there is always need for blood and efforts should be made towards supplementing the supplies mostly through voluntary blood donations.” Anyone interested in organizing a blood drive can call the center at 010 283823.

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U.S. Embassy and Charentsavan City Library Partner to Open New American Corner

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The U.S. Embassy in Armenia, in partnership with the Charentsavan City Library, officially opened the Charentsavan American Corner. Attending the event were U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John A. Heffern, Deputy Minister of Culture Arev Samuelyan, Governor of Kotayk Marz Kovalenko Shahgaldyan, and Mayor of Charentsavan Hakob Shahgaldyan. This is the fifth American Corner in Armenia; the first one opened in 2005.

 

In his opening remarks, U.S. Ambassador John Heffern noted the American Corner will make diverse resources accessible to the residents of Charentsavan and Kotayk Marz and facilitate the dialogue and mutual understanding between Armenia and the United States.  It will also foster the use of the English language.

 

American Corners are small American-style libraries located throughout the world that help increase mutual understanding between the United States and the host country.  A network of over 470 American Corners is operating globally through partnerships between the U.S. Department of State and local host organizations.  American Corners provide information about America in a variety of formats, including reference books, works of fiction, journals, and videos.  These resources focus on such topics as studying in the United States, American society, U.S. history, conducting business in the United States, and English as a Second Language.  The Corners also provide computers with Internet access, and offer a variety of public programs including speakers and workshops.  The American Corners are open to the general public and access is free of charge.

 

Currently American Corners are in operation in Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, and Kapan. Last year, the corners had over 40,000 visitors.