Children beat snow to celebrate ECLOF anniversary

 

Wrapped up against the cold, Sverdlov children draw pictures to show how their parents have used ECLOF loans.

 

Heavy snow failed to halt a painting and drawing event for Armenian children, which took place to increase awareness of ECLOF's activities in the country and celebrate the agency's 60th anniversary.

Around 50 children aged from 6 to 14 produced paintings and drawings on the theme, “A child's view of ECLOF". The celebration took place in the community of Sverdlov within the city of Stepanavan, where three ECLOF-related solidarity groups exist. These groups are involved in cattle and sheep raising and dairy production, plus wheat and potato farming.

The day before the event, it snowed heavily in Armenia and many roads became passable only by 4x4 vehicles. ARM ECLOF staff, who were due to take paints, pencils, brushes and paper for the children to use, immediately set out for Sverdlov in order not to disappoint the children. Five hours hard driving enabled the ECLOF vehicles to cover the 156 kms.

On the day itself, the local television company also made it to the event, as did the mayor of Stepanavan. Everyone gathered in the hall of Sverdlov's school, where it was cold and frosty because, despite two open fires, the freezing wind was blowing through broken windows. However, the children were undeterred and got on with painting and drawing scenes featuring potato harvesting, the care of sheep and cows, and tractors in fields.

Eleven-year-old Lianna Hounanyan received first prize for her work, and Roman Kirakosyan, aged 12, was awarded a prize for which the children themselves had made the decision. In the end, all received a gift because Father Vram, the local Orthodox priest, presented them with silver crosses blessed by His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians.