The project got off to a very good start, as Annick and Errico, who were on site at the end of September/beginning of October, could see.
2 of the people trained have found jobs as self-employed, one in a family in Gumri, the other in a family in Maralik.
AAA Service
For the time being, 2 people have been hired half-time, Armenouhie (nurse) and Susanna.
During the first week of activity (last week of September), Mrs Haroutounian, Armenouhie et Susanna carried out situation assessments. Of the 13 people who requested an intervention, 2 live in the villages (thus, not yet taken care of) and one has died. Thus, 10 situations were assessed, all of which needed intervention. The 2 assistants therefore started the interventions. It should be noted that the doctor treating one of the people asked Armenouhie for a nursing-type intervention (injections and laying of drips).
Ms Haroutounian created a file for each situation, which will make it possible to follow the progress of the work.
The same basic needs were found in all situations: practical help with daily living (basic cleaning, shopping, buying medicine, loneliness), with specific variations (loaned aids).
In certain situations, a very poor hygienic situation was found, requiring a major initial cleaning operation. In such situations the help of a cleaning lady, hired on time and paid by the hour, would be useful.
For transport. there is no official taxi company. The territory of the municipality is very extensive. Villagers who own a car willingly provide this service by asking for 500 AMD (1 Fr) to go anywhere in the municipality. Until the end of this year, various people will be tested, with a view to selecting one (criteria: reliability and need for work) with whom to negotiate a contract.
Meeting with the president of the ARAX Association
This association is active in Gumry. Its principle is the promotion of intergenerational communication, starting from the situation of isolation of the elderly in the city.
The association has 20 years of experience and is based on the principle of voluntary work; its volunteers have been trained.
It has an agreement with the prefecture (regional government) to provide food, clothes and medicine to the elderly in Shirak. They also lend out canes, walkers, wheelchairs, etc.
A doctor visits families who request it, they also have a lawyer who is available to offer legal protection to the elderly and a psychoiologist for counselling..
Groups of students (social service, psychology, fine arts, …) come to the day centre to learn techniques (carpet weaving, knitting, felt, …) from and with the elderly.
He opened a day care centre in Artik, a town of 17,000 inhabitants, where 2 social workers are active. There was also an idea to open a day care centre in Maralik, which was abandoned due to lack of funds.
Willing to cooperate with us peut all training and legal and psychiatric advice
Meeting with Ms Egloff, Swiss Red Cross
Ms Egloff introduces us to Mr Ruben …., the Armenian Red Cross co-ordinator for their project, and informs us that, due to Ms Rutschmann’s illness, many things remain n pending
They are currently looking for volunteers for various needs (repairing roofs, …)
The question of insurance for employees is postponed until next year.
The 2 centres (Gumri and Vanadzor) have been opened. There are 30/38 clients, 2 nurses and a few care assistants. They are also faced with the problem of cleaning, and they are thinking of hiring 3/4 cleaners.
For the issue of disinfectant and aids, Irina (project manager in Armenia for the Swiss Red Cross) has to send Anna the lists of materials and suppliers.
Due to Mrs Rutchmann’s absence, the mid-term evaluation of our project planned for 2018 cannot be organised.
A major problem noted is that of food. For the time being, Swiss Solidarity provides food for the poorest for six months, then the Armenian Red Cross should take over this task.
Shared dreams:
– Involve vocational high schools that offer cookery training so that the students’ practice can be used to provide meals on wheels;
– Create a travelling village nursing service (2019?)
Conclusion
In addition to a good start of the service, a network of collaborations is slowly being created.
