Program areas at Project Agape
Annual operating budget: funds are provided each year to maintain a staff, offices, warehouses, and vehicles necessary to support the organization's mission in armenia. In 2023 salaries, payroll taxes and benefits of $46,589 were provided for a staff of (7) people. All other exptnses of $41,971 provided for the rent of offices in vayk and yerevan, a warehouse in yerevan, utilities, supplies, telephone, maintenance and repairs of (3) vehicles. . The major activity at these facilities is the collection, sorting and distribution of household goods and supplies donated through churches in north carolina, usa and shipped to armenia, as well as humanitarian aid supplies purchased in armenia.
Grant for vocational school construction: in 2023 several grants totalling $37,150 were provided to continue construction of an 8-room vocational school started in 2022 at the Project Agape center in vayk, armenia. By the end of 2023 the walls and roof were completed, windows and doors were installed. . The school aims to provide vocational training to young adults from displaced families equipping them with skills in information technology, communications, trades, crafts, cooking, stone carving, masonry, marketing, design, gardening, beekeeping, skin care, hair dressing, electrical, carpentry, welding mechanics and agronomy.
Bedding supplies: funds provided in december 2023 to purchase bedding supplies for refugee families displaced following the conflict and subsequent exodus of ethnic armenians from artsakh (nagorno- karabakh) to armenia in september 2023. In total 1,370 winter comforters, 1,370 bedding sets (including sheets, pillows and pillow cases) were acquired. These supplies were distributed in early 2024 to 1,370 families benefitting an estimated 6,850 individuals.
Housing assistance: as noted above Project Agape, in partnership with other local aid agencies provided funds to assist a displaced refugee family in purchasing a home in armenia.
Vocational training: during 2023 Project Agape trained (10) young adults from displaced families, specializing in nail care, skin care, and hair care. Following a 2-3 month training period funds provided all necessary basic equipment, tools, and supplies in order for these individuals to begin work and set them on a path to self-sufficiency.