In Yerevan 1

Yesterday on the way to Yerevan, we visited a small family-run cosmetic producer.  It was being done in the back garden of their property but they had proper labels and had grown their market. They need a machine to mix their materials and we approved the purchase of such a homogenizer. Today we went to the factory to see the machine and paid for it to be built and delivered next week.

Pictures at:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ottDujfEJx2ZENdn9

We also visited a lady in a very run-down apartment who said she needed a second sewing machine. She did not convince us that she was ready for a second machine and we suggested she reapply next year. The poor state of the apartment was shocking as can be seen in the pictures at:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PPqLPdbcNKH3zu3V6

Note in the pictures above a system whereby there is a pole on which each apartment has a clothesline. A rather smart idea.




After spending 5 days on the road, we have settled in for a 4 or 5-day stretch here in Yerevan. We will be seeing a number of new ventures and also be buying equipment for the 6 ventures we approved during our travels last week.

Looking back on our first week, we have seen a lot of this country and learned to understand a little better the people of this country. They are a friendly people and very hospitable. A each of our stops, we were offered fruits, or cakes, and sometimes both.  They showed great appreciation for our visit and even accepted gracefully if we were unable to help them.

Today was Monday and we agreed to meet those women whom we approved for sewing machines. We met at noon at the local sewing machine shop. It was a joyous although chaotic 4 hour meeting. Each group picked the machine they wanted. They were given instructions on how to operate the machines.  Each left with huge smiles and thanks for their machines.

An interesting event happened while all this was going on. The reps from the orphaned girls center in Gyumri and the maker of traditional dolls met and agreed to work together. The doll maker agreed to come to the center and teach the orphan girls how to make dolls and she would then buy them from the center. That way everyone wins and mainly the girls will learn a new marketable skill. The dolls sell for good money and Armenians love them. I bought 3 of them for my wife when we visited the shop in Gyumri. Nice synergy which happened because they met and are in the same city. Pictures of this happy day are at:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/MjsaF2X7y9dqmmvc9



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