Who will push me if not me?

Women Empowerment

We went on this journey to meet with Lusine after we purchased calves within the framework of the “Women Empowerment” project.

Her village is not very far from Yerevan, but the roads in this community are rugged and awful, as her life experiences after the war.

We called her once in the village, and she told us where to wait for her. Before we arrived, we were struck by the sight of an old "Lada" being skillfully driven by a young boy.

This unexpected scene prompted us to question the circumstances that led a boy of such a tender age to take the wheel. Little did we know that the answer to this query would unveil a poignant story of loss, responsibility, and a determination to rise above adversity.

A few minutes later, she arrived in the same car and introduced the young driver, her son. A youngster who supports her mother and sisters because there is no one else to rely on after his father was lost during the war.

The house where Lusine is living is her brother-in-law's, who offered her the dwelling until she buys something for herself.

We asked if she had enough money to buy a house, and she told us that she wanted to breed these calves, sell the offspring, and gradually accumulate the means, and one day, maybe she could realize her aim.

She has three children and works in the village school administration in an administrative position for a meager salary. Still, recently, she discovered that she could make some money if she mastered some graphic design skills.

We helped her fund this training, bought a notebook to improve her skills, and gave her an appointment in a few months to see her progress.

We asked her if it was not too hard to continue, and she looked at her young children, sighed, looked at us, and replied with confidence, “Who will push me, if not me?”