Ashtarak,  Region of Aragatsotn – June 2 –  Students of  School #5  and their guests  celebrated the opening of  a   newly built bus stop.  The bus stop was constructed  by Ashtarak School #5  students who are part of the HSBC  Bank sponsored Entrepreneurship and Civic Education for the Young People of Armenia program.   The  program is implemented by Junior Achievement of Armenia (JAA)  in more than 75 schools throughout the nation.  “I am so happy to see  the students actively  taking part  in the improvement of their community. Undoubtedly they are the future leaders of Armenia”  stated  Armine K. Hovannisian, executive director of JAA.

During the program, the students  learned the basics of free market economics and  established  a student enterprise to apply in real life what they had learned.  To this end, they conducted marketing research, manufactured and marketed a product .  The students  also learned about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)  and allocated a part of their enterprise profits in realizing a project benefiting the community.  To carry out their CSR project,, they  also established an NGO, thus learning about the important work of NGOs.    The students were selected and awarded 150,000 AMD  grant  by JAA.  With this finances as well as the Ashtaarak Mayor’s and  citizens’ contributions,, the students cleaned the territory , built  the stone structure, planted greens around it.  “We are so touched that we were able to solve the problems facing us. We truly wanted to improve our community.  The bus stop had no cover and we would often see our friends and neighbors under the rain waiting for the bus.  We are very happy that whatever the weather may be  the people will be protected against  it.    We hope we will continue our work to help our village”   remarked Mary Mikaelyan, one of the students.   

HSBC Bank CEO,  Thies Clements remarked ” I am delighted to see that our plans for the communities are being realized  and truly  changing the lives of the community members and  the youth    In the last ten years,  the  HSBC Bank has been working with JAA by investing in long term and successful projects.   Our programs in the educational  field are aimed at developing the potential of the youth.  The Entrepreneurship and Civic Education for the Young People of Armenia program is unquestionably serving that goal:. 

  For more information on the work of JAA and the program, please visit JAA’s website at www.jaarmenia.org