Varduhi Tsolakyan: Small Business, Big Dreams: Varduhi’s Journey of Building a Better Future

May 16, 2023

Photo by Arpine Nikolyan

 

Varduhi Tsolakyan, a 32-year-old from Getk village in the Shirak region, has dedicated her time to volunteering at “Armenian Caritas” BNGO for the past five years, where she helps children with disabilities. Varduhi is also a single mother raising three children on her own. Despite years of unemployment, Varduhi never gave up on her dream of starting her own business. 

She collaborated with “Women’s Right House” NGO attending their leadership and business training programs. Thanks to her hard work and the support of the “Women’s Economic Empowerment in the South Caucasus” regional project, Varduhi was able to participate in entrepreneurship workshops and receive chickens to help launch her business and now owns the only small poultry farm in her village.

“My dream is to turn this into a successful business that creates jobs and benefits the community. Before, people had to travel all the way to Gyumri just to buy eggs and chicken, but now they can save time and money. This venture allows me to take care of my children, while growing my farm. It’s just the beginning, but I’m confident that it will lead to bigger and better results.” 

The Armenia component of the “Women’s Economic Empowerment in the South Caucasus” regional project is implemented by UNDP in Armenia in partnership with the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure and in close collaboration with UN Women Country Office in Georgia. The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the  Austrian Development Agency.