READING AND BEYOND

Zartnir creates equal opportunities for school students in Armenia to access the education of the 21 century by purchasing great books and organizing reading clubs

7
Years of operation
103
Schools participating
11000+
Children getting inspired
83%
Of children increased school grades
69%
Of teachers noted students’ basic skills improvement

You spend great time with class-mates and teachers. Every single minute is priceless here.

Kristina Balasanyan, student, 10th grade, secondary school, Tsaghkalanj

Students have an opportunity to read great books. Not everyone can afford to buy these books or they would not find it necessary to buy them but for this program.

Azganush Erzhkyan, teacher, basic school №10, Alaverdi

The program has changed my life, I started to read more.

Sona Karapetyan, student, 7th grade, secondary school, Tsovazard

I like the main idea of the program – to give an access to literature for everyone, promote reading, literature and ability to form an opinion and express it freely.

Arpi Tovmasyan, teacher, secondary school, Karinsk

Zartnir has influenced me in a good way, moreover, the classes themselves are extremely interesting.

Arpi Tovmasyan, teacher, secondary school, Karinsk

I find it really attractive if, after reading a book, you can discuss it with your friends. That is the reason why I liked the program at once.

Anait Engoyan, student, 7th grade, secondary school, Tsovazard

I began to use more literary Armenian in my speech.

Liliya Khachatryan, student, 10th grade, secondary school, Tsovazard, Gegarkunik Region

Students’ eyes get bright when they receive feedback. There are lots of touching moments.

Ani Saakyan, teacher, secondary school, Tsaghkalanj

I started to form my opinion more accurately, compared to previous classes, when I could not find appropriate words for that.

Hovanes Kocharyan, student, 9th grade, basic school, Shamut

We read lots of books and we make lots of new friends when visiting other schools!

Shushanik Budagyan, student, 11th grade, secondary school, Tsaghkalanj

I get inspired by foreign literature, where culture and lifestyle of people from different countries are described.

Suzy Gasparyan, student, 9th grade, secondary school, Tsovazard.

Our school has recently joined Zartnir. I was admired when not only children, but also their parents started reading books. They came to our classes to share their ideas on the books.

Lilit Pogosyan, teacher, Ohanyan College, Yerevan.

My friend started to participate in Zartnir before me. After having seen him being inspired, I also decided to join the program.

Kristina Balasanyan, student, 10th grade, secondary school, Tsaghkalanj

Nearly all the teachers and even a shop assistant from a nearby shop read books together with us!

Ani Saakyan, Teacher, secondary school, Tsaghkalanj

I have become more free and confident.

Emiliya Mikaelyan, student, 7th grade, secondary school, Tsovazard

Students ask us to spread the program across Armenia so that more children could get the opportunity to read and develop

Together we can make it real

What we need to involve more schools?

Financial support

for books purchase and arrangement of educational events

Support from every person partial to the future of Armenia is truly valuable for continuous development of Zartnir.

Team members

who have relevant experience and strong network in their field

Originally our team was based in Moscow. However, since 2020 we have been building a team in Armenia to have more people in “Gemba”.

Inspirational people

who enjoy life and are ready to share their experience with children

Meeting bright, successful and inspirational individual is important for students. They are eager to learn more about the world.

Books Events Teaching Aid General

Set of 30 books for 20 new schools
4100 USD
Replacement of the books, purchased 3 years ago
1,100 USD
Books transportation between 20 school during year
1720 USD

Since 2017 we have purchased 41 book titles, 30-35 copies of each, in total it makes 1230 books, which were read within a month at one school and then exchanged among others. During 7 academic years books were shipped 7 times per year, thus, their condition got worse and they must be replaced. We get a lot of requests from schools that would like to join, and for each new school we need to purchase a new set of books.

Transfer of students from 20 schools to Yerevan and back once a year
2,150 USD

Since 2017 we arranged trips to museums only for 2 schools once a year as we did not get external financial support. Transfer costs for students from one school equals 100 USD. Such trips require at least 2,000 USD in case we arrange 1 excursion for every of 20 schools once a year. Museum tickets are free for students in according with MoESCS subscription system.

Drafting of a teaching manual on the 14 books by a specialist in literature
2,940 USD
Printing of 14 study guides, 1 copy of each
280 USD

Since 2017 we provide teachers with a self-made manual containing a number of interactive tools, with detailed descriptions, e.g. debate instructions, sketches, creative tasks and games which can be applied to book extract (write a letter to a book character; create family coat of arms, etc.) To make it easier for teachers to prepare for the lesson (there are 4 lessons on one book per month) we would like to develop study guides in partnership with a specialist in literature, which would contain interactive lesson plan templates. One study guide development costs equal about 210 USD, printing costs of one copy equal 20 USD.

Yearly salary for Chief operations in Yerevan
2,500 USD
Annual costs of outsourcing accounting of NPO
850 USD
Marketing
500 USD
Web page maintenance and development
200 USD

According to Armenian legal system, NPO must pay salary to at least one employee.

Donate

Any school in Armenia can join the program

We receive participation requests from schools in Armenia which want their students to get an opportunity to read and discuss books, develop, get educated, meet interesting inspirational people, visit museums, exhibitions and theatres.