HOPE & HELP
non-profit public organization

Hope & Help (H&H) is a non-governmental organization established by a group of enthusiastic physicians and psychologists in 1998. The Board members of the H&H are proficient physicians, psychologists, teachers, lawyers and sociologists.

The H&H is a registered public and non-profit charity organization which acts thanks to voluntary participation of its members and associates.

Mission
To promote improvement and protection of human rights and health of the population through the implementation of healthcare and social programs.

Objectives
To promote improvement and protection of sexual, reproductive and mental health of Republic of Armenia population through public awareness raising and training activities. Beneficiaries of the NGO are the youth, women, orphans, homeless, physically disabled, Victims of Trafficking, etc.

The NGO works in the following directions:
1. Prevention of Trafficking, Support and Social Rehabilitation for Victims of Trafficking, 2. Advocacy, 3. HIV/AIDS Harm Reduction among Adolescent, Youth, Public at Large, High Risk Groups – Women, Female Sex Workers (FSW).

1.      Prevention of Trafficking, Support for Victims of Trafficking and Social Rehabilitation

• 2000, Yerevan - "STD/HIV Prevalence among Migrating FSW", funded by IOM
  The “Trust Center” has been established for migrant FSWs (VoT). Provision with confidential medical counseling and psychological support. Increased awareness on reproductive health, HIV/AIDS/STDs prevention issues.  Outreach street works performed: dissemination of information materials and condom distribution among FSWs.  Publication of “Do you know” leaflet. 
• 2002-2003, Noyemberyan region – “Community Capacity Building  to Prevent of Trafficking in Women and Children”, funded by World Learning
  Information campaign to increase the awareness of general population on trafficking issues. Workshops and round tables to mobilize the capacity of communities. Publication of the leaflet “The way to servitude”.
• 2003, Yerevan - “Prevention of Trafficking and Harm Reduction of HIV/STD infection risk among Sex-Workers in Yerevan”, funded by OSIFA
  The “Trust Center” has been established for FSWs to provide anonymous medical and psychological support as well as to increase awareness on reproductive health, HIV/AIDS/STDs prevention issues. Outreach street works performed: dissemination of information materials and condom distribution among FSWs. Publication of “Kind advice to friends” leaflet. 
• 2003-2004, “Support Service for Victims of Trafficking”, funded by US Government
  Identification of victims of trafficking, provision of medical, psychological and legal support and social rehabilitation.  Establishment of a Toll Free Help Line and shelter for Victims of Trafficking.
• May-August 2004, The first stage of partnership within Regional Anti-Trafficking Program.
  During this program representatives of the “Hope and Help” NGO, together with colleagues from Georgian NGO “People Harmonious Development Society”, make a trip to Georgia (Sarpi-on the border of Georgia and Turkey), and Turkey (Istambul, Ankara, Trabzon). Main aim of this program is: description of trafficking cases, reaching out to and interviewing victims of trafficking (VoT) in Turkey, analyze the possibilities of repatriation, analysis of cases and preparation of recommendations for the South Caucasus specialists to prevent trafficking and provide assistance to the victims, assistance organization to VoTs (citizens of Armenia) in Turkey (medical assistance, legal assistance, repatriation), establishment of bi-lateral and possibly regional cooperation.

2.      Advocacy

• ”Sex Workers in Armenia”, situation survey funded by UNFPA (Yerevan, 2000)
  The situational analysis aimed at assessing the health and social conditions of FSWs, their behavioral   peculiarities.  The analysis was conducted in 4 cities of Armenia: Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Kapan. The summarized results were published in “Report on Peculiarities of Commercial Sex Work in Armenia”. The leaflet “Stop and Think” was developed and published.
• 2002, “STD/AIDS prevention and protection of civil rights among female sex-workers” funded by OSIFA (Yerevan)
  Monitoring the enactment of legal act regulated and/or affecting of FSW. Provision of medical, psychological counseling at Trust center among FSWs, performance of outreach works.
  Provision legal counseling and protection.

3. HIV/AIDS Harm Reduction among Adolescent, Youth, Public at Large, High Risk Groups – Teenagers, Women, Female Sex Workers (FSW).

• 1999, Yerevan - "Medical Information and Sexual Education" in collaboration with UMCOR.
  Training program for deaf children and teachers of a boarding school.
• 2000, Yerevan - "Medical Information and Sexual Education" Vardashen special school funded by MSF France.
  Training program for program for teachers and tutors of Vardashen special educational complex
• 2001, Yerevan - “Medical Center for Women in Unfavorable Conditions” in collaboration with Medical Center of Dermatology and STI.
  Voluntary medical counseling in STI/HIV issues among women in unfavorable conditions.
• 2002, Yerevan - “Your life is in your hands”, funded by “Mama Cash” Fund, Netherlands
  Peer-to-Peer education of female sex workers.
• 2003-2005, “STI/HIV Harm reduction program in Lori and Tavush marzes”,  funded by MSF Belgium
  Establishment of Information Centre to provide counseling on reproductive health, STDs/HIV/AIDS issues. Increasing of awareness among adolescent, youth, general population, high risk groups in Lori and Tavush marzes. School teachers have been trained on “Sexual Education” for further teaching in schools. The “You have a choice” leaflet has been issued.
• 2004, Vanadzor - “Prevention of HIV/AIDS among the female sex workers”, funded by World Vision
  HIV/AIDS prevention, establishment of VCT, anonymous STI treatment in Vanadzor. Outreach street works performed: dissemination of information materials and condom distribution among FSWs.
• 2004-2005, Yerevan - “Harm reduction of risk of HIV/STD, social rehabilitation of female sex workers”, funded by OSIFA
  Increasing awareness (through conducting training-seminars, round table - “Prostitution – situation in Armenia, possible ways of legislative adjustment”, publication of the leaflet) and social rehabilitation among female sex workers.

Hope and Help NGO has participated in:

• drafting Antitrafficking law in Armenia
• discussion of the law on “witness protection” organized by OSCE Mission in Armenia
• organizing a round table discussion “Prostitution – situation in Armenia, possible ways of legislative adjustment”

Source: Hope and Help NGO (Unofficial translation)