Salvard is “getting older”
Support A1+!It is already 20 years resident of Salvard village Gayane Hunanyan wakes up at 5:30 a.m. to milk the cows and make cheese.
Four of her children are married, the fifth serves in the army. One of Gayane's sons lives in the capital where he sells the cheese sent by his mother. A month ago, the family sold a kilogram of cheese at AMD 950, while today the same cheese is sold at AMD 1400. Mrs. Gayane never reveals the secret of cheese making.
"Cheese must be kept in salt water for six months to receive good flavour. You need to know a lot of things to make good cheese," says the 52-year-old woman.
Situated at an elevation of 2000 meters above the sea level, the village has favourable position for cattle breeding. However, the number of cattle has reduced as compared with 2009.
"Villagers have difficulties in realizing their products. This year we have scythed only 70% of meadows," says villager Samvel Panyan.
Grandpa Simak recalls that he mowed 1200 tons of grass in the past. Today, he has lost his strengthen but he is still eager to work.
The old man has had many reasons to leave his native village but he has never thought of it.
"I advise our youth to stay in the village and work here. Why should they leave this picturesque place and the tombs of their ancestors? Isn't it shameful for them?" he sad adding that the village is getting older.
The village has numerous problems today. Lessons are held in a rundown building.
During the Soviet years, Mrs. Aida was named a good tobacco-worker and was awarded with a Golden Star medal.
"Those were difficult but careless days. Everybody was happy as they had jobs. Today, the youth are jobless. I don't want my son to lead an idle life, that is why I suggested him to move to the capital," says Aida Samvelyan.
A center of milk procurement has been opened in the community with the financial assistance of the Armenian branch of "Action Against Hunger" (ACF) humanitarian organization and Swiss International Development Cooperation Agency.
"The center will help increase cattle and provide new sources of income. It will also prevent migration. We have tried to settle the problem of milk realization and alleviate the burden of Armenian women," said Pascal Bokkers, ACF-E Country Representative in Armenia.
The village has 68 households with 300 permanent residents.
"Twenty families had left the village before the New Year in 2009. This year, we shall farewell another five families will," said the village headman Vardan Mersopyan.
