“Bridge of Hope” Non-Governmental organization for the protection of right of children and youth with disability

Organizational Structure

Beneficiaries

Children and youth with disabilities and their families, inclusive schools’ educators and children with special educational needs.

The geography

Yerevan , Ijevan, Dilijan, Berd, Noyemberyan

"Bridge of Hope" Non-Governmental organization was established in 1996 to help children and youth with disabilities and their parents to overcome their isolation and to help them participate in community life on an equal basis with others. While "Bridge of Hope" has long been a mainstreaming placement for children and youth with disabilities, today the focus is on inclusion. This means not only allowing children with disabilities to be in close proximity to their typically developing peers, but also maximizing their full participation in the program. Our programs are directed to create equal opportunities and improve the conditions for children with disabilities so that they can achieve their own goals free from physical and attitudinal barriers.

Protect rights and dignity of children and youth with disabilities and their families and support their social inclusion in the Republic of Armenia.

- Support in providing access to education and equal opportunities for children and youth with disabilities and other educational special needs.

- Support children with disabilities in developing their mental, physical, psychological abilities and social skills for independent living and full participation in their respective communities.

- Promote changes in policies, practices, ideas and beliefs to respond the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities and their families and to have a major impact on the quality of their lives.

- Strengthen BoH NGO's institutional and organizational capacities to reach its overall objectives.

- access to education
- psycho-social and educational community based services
- advocacy and policy influencing.

   
   "Bridge of Hope" believes that

· It is possible to eradicate discrimination towards children with disabilities in Armenia if the state and the society will demonstrate willingness to follow the principles of equality and justice.
· The man gives birth to discrimination and the man can eradicate it.
· No one in the world is insured from disability or becoming a parent of a child with disability so solving problems that the persons with disabilities face in everyday life, we insure indirectly ourselves.

   "Bridge of Hope" realizes that

   People with disabilities and their families are the poorest and the most vulnerable part of the population and will continue to be like that until their basic rights to education, health, participation, jobs and a decent life are protected.

      The majority of children with disabilities, who are denied access to education and social interaction, are growing up into a generation excluded from the mainstream. The present social exclusion is adversely affecting the families of the disabled children.
   Since 1996, " Bridge of Hope " has offered a wide array of services specifically designed to be responsive to the needs of children and their families. Our programs are the kind that have been around for years and always seem to be new and relevant to our mission. Our achievements happen as a result of dedicated leaders who care deeply about the future of our children, dedicated and motivated staff who believe in the value of what they do and a passion of finding new ways to work with others in the community to solve problems that our beneficiaries face every day.

What about tomorrow? We will continue to meet the challenges. Our board will continue to focus on our mission. Through strategic planning, BoH will systematically consider the need for program development and expansion. We will continue to recruit, train and maintain competent and dedicated staff. BoH will actively encourage relationships with other Civil Society actors to change the quality of life of children in Armenia.

    Special thanks

We will not succeed in realization of our dreams and mission for children and youth with disabilities without valuable support from our donors. We would like to express our gratitude to:

The Government of Armenia, The Ministry of labor and social issues of Armenia, The Ministry Education and science Armenia, DANIDA, Mission East, Oxfam GB and Novib (Oxfam in Netherlands), UNICEF, UNHCR, DFID, OSI, USAID.