How the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) brought hope, healing, and opportunity to displaced families from Artsakh
In the wake of the Artsakh crisis in 2023, thousands of families were uprooted from their homes and faced the daunting challenge of starting anew in mainland Armenia.
COAF’s Project H.O.P.E. was an emergency initiative launched in response to the mass displacement as a result of the Artsakh war. This comprehensive program—centered on Housing, Opportunities for Education, Psycho-Social Support, and Empowerment—supported displaced families in the regions of Armavir and Lori. Through tailored interventions, Project H.O.P.E. not only addressed urgent needs but also fostered resilience, integration, and lasting change.
In The Wake of War, Shelter from the Storm: Housing for Displaced Families
Throughout the Artsakh conflict, those arriving in Armenia faced immediate challenges like finding shelter, accessing basic healthcare, and coping with the emotional toll of losing their homes. Project H.O.P.E. expanded on COAF’s earlier initiative which built 13 homes for over 100 individuals, by renovating two additional homes. These efforts not only offered physical shelter but also restored a sense of dignity and hope to those who had lost so much.
SMART Center: Gateway to a Fresh Start
To nurture reintegration, Project H.O.P.E. enrolled children from displaced families into the COAF SMART Center in Debed, where they were given free access to a safe, inspiring, and socially vibrant afterschool program. Displaced youth engaged in innovative educational activities, including VR fitness, agro-technology, and art therapy. Beyond education, the program offered these children a renewed sense of normalcy, and an outlet for creative expression.
75 children were enrolled at the Center, of which 30% remain in long-term programs.
Highlight: The Agrotechnology Program taught children how to grow plants, instilling both practical skills and a sense of empowerment. “When I was planting and seeing it grow, it felt like I can grow too,” shared Lilit, 12.
A Holistic Approach to Healing and Empowerment
In keeping with COAF’s holistic approach to positive change, Project H.O.P.E. addressed three critical pillars:
- Early Childhood Development: Building intellectual and emotional foundations for children.
- Social Cohesion: Bridging divides between displaced families and host communities.
- Innovative Education: Offering tools and skills to empower youth and families for a brighter future.
Each initiative went beyond immediate relief, fostering long-term resilience and community growth.
Nurturing Young Minds and Supporting Family Life
Throughout the implementation of Project H.O.P.E., COAF’s Child Development Program provided essential early childhood education, speech therapy, and psychological support for children affected by trauma. Activities such as art and music therapy helped children express themselves and build confidence.
53 children participated in early childhood development sessions.
Anahit, 5, wouldn’t speak for weeks after arriving from Artsakh. During an art session, she painted a house surrounded by flowers and shared, “This is where I’ll live again.”
Cases of Transformation from Project H.O.P.E.
Below are anonymous stories of transformations from Project H.O.P.E. beneficiaries, based on initial assessments and progress documented by COAF’s psychologists and social workers.
Note: The photos do not depict the beneficiaries described.
Fostering Unity Through Social Cohesion
Throughout the 1-year duration of Project H.O.P.E․, COAF organized 17 social cohesion events that created opportunities for displaced families and host communities to connect through group therapy, creative workshops (like puppet theater), and collaborative projects such as tree planting and community clean-ups. These activities helped rebuild a sense of community and belonging for those navigating profound challenges.
1,714 children participated, indirectly benefiting over 7,000 family members.
One beneficiary, a 16-year-old girl, reflected upon the experience of planting trees side-by-side with locals: “Although it was bittersweet because our roots were plucked, it also felt like we were replanting our roots together.”
Spotlight Initiatives and Stories
Summer Camps: Two 5-day summer day camps were held to foster social cohesion between displaced and local children. Over 100 children participated, engaging in restorative activities like fairy-tale therapy and team-building games. “I made my first friend here,” said Aram, 8. “Now I’m less anxious about going to school.”
Project H.O.P.E.’s summer camps were widely considered the most successful aspect of the social cohesion and integration events, according to both COAF staff and participants.
Speech Therapy: A total of 65 children received individual and group sessions, helping them overcome communication challenges exacerbated by trauma. One such child, Angelina, a 3-year-old displaced from Artsakh, initially struggled to communicate, often became frustrated and pulled her hair because she couldn’t express herself.
After losing contact during the chaotic aftermath of displacement, one of COAF’s dedicated social workers tracked her family to their new home in Armenia and enrolled Angelina in speech therapy services. Angelina made remarkable progress and can now express her emotions and needs, significantly improving her and her family’s quality of life.
Addressing Challenges Along the Way
While the program achieved remarkable results, it also faced challenges. Many families were forced to relocate multiple times before settling, which sometimes made it difficult to sustain participation. Despite these obstacles, COAF adapted by deploying mobile teams that brought Project H.O.P.E. services directly to communities, ensuring vital support reached those in need regardless of how disconnected they were to main roads and larger cities.
Results That Speak Volumes
COAF’s commitment to understanding and meeting beneficiaries’ needs was evident in the results:
- 91.2% of beneficiaries were “highly satisfied” or “satisfied” with the services provided.
- 97% rated the staff as professional.
- 97.5% would “definitely recommend” COAF programs.
Project H.O.P.E.’s Enduring Impact through COAF’s Programs
Today, COAF’s Child and Family Centers (CFCs) and SMART Center in Lori continue to extend the mission of Project H.O.P.E. beyond the program’s duration. As of the writing of this article, 13.6% of beneficiaries continue to receive psychological services, while 24.5% utilize the early childhood development corner, a portion of which also receive speech therapy. 33% are still enrolled in the SMART curriculum. These services and programs provide a stable framework for ongoing support, while nurturing the resilience built during Project H.O.P.E.
Project H.O.P.E. wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Afeyan Family Foundation, the Youredjian Family Charitable Foundation, HSBC Bank Armenia, the European Union in Armenia, Pamela Avedisian, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, the Saint Sarkis Trust, Dr. and Mrs. Haig and Hilda Manjikian, the Tianaderrah Foundation, and the Armenian Family Support Services (AFSS), who stand among a long list of incredibly generous individual donors.
Project H.O.P.E. provided the essential building blocks of well-being—safe shelter, mental health support, and social stability—to help displaced children and families from Artsakh move beyond survival and begin building a path toward growth. This mission reflected the core of COAF’s work: empowering at risk communities to become resilient, self-sufficient, and capable of striving for a brighter future.
How You Can Get Involved
The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) is a network of a 200-person staff, executing initiatives across healthcare, education, psycho-social support, and economic development throughout rural Armenia. All of our initiatives are fueled by the generosity of people who are passionate about helping rural Armenians tap into their potential.
Your donations ensure that consistent, lasting, and dedicated support for our young beneficiaries as they find their place in the world.
Project H.O.P.E was implemented by COAF’s committed medical experts, social workers, psychologists, speech therapists, and educators.
