Earlier this year in January, a Care for Children team, including Care for Children’s Founders Robert and Elizabeth Glover, paid a brief but fruitful visit to Yerevan, Armenia, following an invitation from Mr Narek Mkrtchyan, the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs. The aim of the visit was to introduce Care for Children’s model of family placement to the Armenian government and determine whether Care for Children could support its transition to family-based care.
The four-day trip consisted of two high-profile meetings with the local authorities, a visit to a children’s home in Yerevan, a screening of Care for Children’s documentary, and a speaking engagement at a local church.
“Care for Children’s visit is both a symbolic and practical step. Care for Children’s experience in China is very important to us.”
Mr Narek Mkrtchyan, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs
These meetings proved to be a great opportunity for Care for Children to develop new relationships, gain mutual understanding and trust with the local authorities, as well as learn about the existing care system in Armenia and its challenges.
“If the System doesn’t work for children, we don’t try to fit the children into the system; we change the system to fit the needs of the children”.
Robert Glover, Founder and Executive Director of Care for Children
On the second day of the trip, the screening of Care for Children’s documentary, Children of Shanghai, was a huge encouragement to all the attendees. Over 140 guests gathered to watch the private screening, many of whom felt deeply moved by the personal stories told by foster families in China. Amongst the guests were representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the National Assembly, and the Prime Minister’s Office, as well as UNICEF and the Armenian United Nations Children’s Fund. Many foster parents were also present.
The visit has proved to be both relational and educational for Care for Children. What’s also exciting is that a few concrete steps have also been suggested by the government to commence a partnership with Care for Children within this year. Stay tuned for further developments.
