Tamara moved to Armenia on September 27, 2020, right at the beginning of the escalation of the conflict in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh.

The city of Vardenis was the first stop, and Tamara decided to stay there and wait for the end of the conflict. She has been living in Vardenis since that day.

In September 2021, “Youth for Change” organization, UNDP’s partner, learned that Tamara had a nursing education but no work experience, so she was offered to attend a three-month paid on-the-job training course at a Vardenis dental clinic.

Funded by European Union Humanitarian Aid and implemented by UNDP in Armenia, on-the-job trainings are part of a program that supports displaced people in re-establishing their livelihoods. Beneficiaries work in local enterprises for three months and receive a salary during this time.

"The only thing I can say is gratitude. There have been many different types of support, this was the best for me, because I had professional work experience, I was paid, and I use that money to take care of my family's needs," says Tamara.

"This was an opportunity for me to gain work experience. At first, I was hesitant whether I would be able to or not. Now, I can proudly say that I am able to complete the tasks assigned to me accurately.

"After graduation, I have a great desire to work in this field, so, if possible, I would very much like to work in this dental clinic," says Tamara.

The above-mentioned dental clinic has already offered a permanent job to Tamara.

“Our lives, our future. Supporting self-recovery and resilience of conflict affected communities in Armenia” project is funded by the European Union Humanitarian Aid and implemented by UNDP.