The bordering Tchambarak city of Gegharkunik Province has natural clay resources that the locals have used to combine house chores with a pleasant occupation. The employees of theClay House social enterprise are disabled young people and young members of socially disadvantaged families.

For the past month, the “Astghatsolk” non-governmental organization for the protection of interests and inclusion of children and youth with disabilities in Armenia’s bordering Tchambarak city of Gegharkunik Province has been carrying out a new social enterprise project through which 20-30-year-old youth with disabilities and of socially disadvantaged families work with clay, which “comes to life” again within their hands. Many are charmed by the new profession and gain more and more skills every day. The clay house reminds one of a small museum of ceramic items. Images of cliffs and the replicas of the works of famous painters are part of the series of women’s jewels and gifts with the Armenian logo on them.

President of “Astghatsolk” NGO Irina Hovhannisyan informed that the organization will start preparing magnetic ceramic gifts with the symbol of residences by discovering Armenia. For instance, the gifts will portray Sevan with its lake and church, as well as Jermuk with its deer and more.

The social enterprise works with the local natural resources. Tchambarak has five types of clay, and the cost price of the product is lower when the type of clay is used. At Clay House, beneficiaries are paid for their work, and this helps them improve their social condition.

Arshak Aramyan is one of the beneficiaries of Clay House and loves to make pomegranate, jugs and pitchers. While he was working, he said that if the people treat their jobs seriously, they can earn good income.

The “Astghatsolk” NGO for the protection of interests and inclusion of children and youth with disabilities has opened the Life Café, which has become one of the places for the youth to gather and spend time together. The other initiative is the opening of an inclusive kindergarten, which will be held with the joint support of the UNICEF and the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

“Astghatsolk” NGO is also developing another program for the creation of a mobile kindergarten that will help enhance pre-school education in the rural communities, writes armradio.am.

Clay House already has an order for solving current issues. There are magnetic ceramic gifts portraying discriminatory selection of the fetus-the children want a sister.