The “Wings” Rehabilitation Program Launches in Yerevan, Supporting Families Displaced from Artsakh

The “Wings” program, aimed at the comprehensive rehabilitation of families forcibly displaced from Artsakh, is now available in Yerevan. This phase of the program includes 69 children and 44 parents. It is implemented by the “We Are Our Mountains” Development Agency with the support of the French association “Association de soutien à l’Artsakh”.

The program incorporates psychological, intellectual, and physical rehabilitation methods, helping displaced children and their families overcome adaptation challenges. It was launched in 2023 in Dilijan and later expanded to Gyumri.

“Almost all displaced children from Artsakh participated in the ‘Wings’ program in Dilijan, and the results indicate significant progress in emotional resilience and skill development,” said program director Sona Hovhannisyan.

In Yerevan, the program is carried out in collaboration with the “Intra” Mental Health Center. Initial assessments have shown high levels of anxiety among participants, prompting the development of specialized therapeutic approaches.

“Creative methods help children explore their inner world and alleviate internal tension,” explains the program’s art therapist. “For example, through the ‘scribble’ exercise, we analyze how children establish meaningful connections in chaotic situations and find solutions.”

Parents also highlight the program’s effectiveness:
“It was difficult for my child to adapt to the new environment, but here they opened up very quickly,” shares one parent.
“After drama therapy, my child came home excited. I never expected such rapid results,” says another parent.

The physical rehabilitation component is implemented in collaboration with the Football Academy of the Football Federation of Armenia. Among the three offered sports, children from Artsakh have chosen swimming.

An educational component will also be launched soon, aimed at fostering the personal growth and intellectual development of children aged 12–18.

• To date, 387 children and 228 parents have participated in the “Wings” program.
• In Dilijan, local families have also joined the program, fostering mutual integration.