Centres for Armenian Handicapped

More Infomation:
Founded: 1971

Principal:  Mrs Rita-Shoushan Parmaksizian and Kevork Karaboyadjian

Beginnings:
The Armenian Institute for the Blind began as a Home for visually impaired children in the 1920s. In the 1960s and 1970s its focus widened to include children who were hearing impaired or had learning difficulties. The alternative for these children would be to work as child labourers to supplement their family income. This was the first such educational and vocational training facility for Armenian children in the Middle East and the number of children attending grew rapidly.

Activities:

• About 50 boys and girls with learning difficulties attend the six Special Classes at the Centres. Students are allocated to a class according to their academic ability. As well as following the Lebanese educational curriculum, the students are taught a wide range of additional subjects, including languages, Bible studies and social skills.
  
  
• The Centres do not just look after the children’s educational and social development but, thanks to a BibleLands grant, are able to provide a nourishing midday meal to each child, helping to care for their physical wellbeing.
  
  
• When the time comes for students to leave the Centres, the staff help them to find suitable employment, with their families or in local sheltered workshops.

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