Help us build a mountain retreat for refugee and vulnerable children in Armenia!
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The idea of establishing a Mountain Retreat emerged from the four-year experience within the Refugee Assistance Project by SconfinaMenti and Declipse Armenia for th Armenians of Artsakh, which primarily supported refugee communities in Yerevan and Vardenis, with additional one-time support initiatives addressing material needs of refugee families in Vayk and Aghveran.
This new project both dovetails with our previous efforts and aligns with our goal of decentralizing efforts to help more families forcefully displaced from Artsakh. We aim to establish a non-formal, extracurricular education center in the picturesque mountains of Arzakan, Kotayk province, Armenia.
The location for the realization of the current project is a ca 700 m² terrain at 1650 meters above sea level, nestled between the villages of Arzakan and Bjni. It nourishes our vision to create a unique mountain retreat—a sanctuary for refugee children from Artsakh and also from other countries, as well as for school-age children from socially vulnerable families.
We believe the Mountain Retreat can become a learning & leisure spot where children will engage in nature-and-arts-based activities, designed to relieve stress and regain balance. The unique location, within a serene gardening and recreational area, offers an ideal environment for healing and growth.
Together we can make the world a better place for the ones who have suffered the most...
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Following the 2023 ethnic cleansing of the autochthonous population of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), more than 120.000 Armenians, who represent a minority with a distinct cultural and linguistic identity – face the risk of losing their tangible and intangible heritage.
Displaced from their historical homeland and integrated into other communities where their native dialect is no longer spoken, their cultural and artistic heritage — with its tangible aspect being seized by invaders — is at grave risk.
By establishing the Mountain Retreat as a fully functioning camping center for the children of the displaced families as primary beneficiaries, we aim to promote various artistic and recreational activities that will, among other things, support the preservation of the cultural and linguistic identity of the people of Artsakh.
Our focus is on empowering children, fostering their personal growth, and helping them create lifelong memories that will positively influence their future.
By leveraging our team’s expertise, we aim to create a sanctuary that not only offers a respite from the challenges of displacement but also provides educational and psychological resources to empower and uplift our beneficiaries. Through this collaborative effort, we are committed to making a lasting positive impact on the lives of refugee and displaced families, while promoting sustainable living and environmental stewardship.
We are planning to build an extended A-frame cottage with a cozy, sustainable design. The ground floor will be based on a 63 m² platform, with over 54 m² of livable space. The upper floor will house the bedrooms. The cottage will have the capacity to accommodate up to 15 children for overnight stays.
Yoga and Aikido basics, Barefoot walking therapies, Hiking and Individual equestrian therapy
Painting and pottery, Music, meditation and stargazing
Gardening and plant breeding, Bird watching and wildlife preservation
Fairy tale and storytelling therapies, Reiki healing and training
Declipse Armenia is a charitable non-governmental organization established in 2020 in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the military aggression against Artsakh and Armenia. Since the end of the 2020 war, Declipse has supported Armenian refugee and displaced families from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) through psycho-pedagogical assistance projects designed for school-age children. Our mission is to provide comprehensive support, focusing on education, psychological assistance, and community integration.
As an organization, Declipse partners with SconfinaMenti Association of Campo San Martino (Padova) and Alexander Langer Committee in Yerevan, committed to supporting refugee and displaced families from Artsakh. Our extended volunteer network includes professionals visiting Armenia and exchange students from Italy and other European countries.
Our team has nearly 5 years of collective experience working with refugees, particularly with children from displaced families, as well as over 10 years of experience in teaching, tutoring, and providing psychological assistance, and has the competence and skills to address the needs of beneficiaries.
The Mountain Retreat project represents a forward-thinking approach to tourism, environmental education, and community support.
By combining the beauty of the natural world with sustainable practices, this project aims to create a haven for relaxation, learning, and environmental stewardship while supporting families forcefully displaced from Artsakh.
We invite stakeholders and potential partners to join us in making this vision a reality, contributing to a healthier planet and a more informed and engaged society.
Welcoming visitors at the future eco-friendly retreat, we hope to inspire and enlighten them on the importance of sustainable living and environmental preservation, while also supporting those in need.
