EURASIA
CHARITY PO

Within the framework of “Strengthening local self-governmental leadership towards improving social entrepreneurship in rural regions of RA” project establishment of “LORENI” Drying-Teahouse
25.03.2024
Within the framework of “Strengthening local self-governmental leadership towards improving social entrepreneurship in rural regions of RA” project Manyak Yeganyan has received grant support to establish the “LORENI” drying-teahouse in Dsegh. For about 30 years she has been engaged in tea collecting and drying processes. She decided to turn the family tradition of tea collecting into a business idea, because she had a suitable area for the implementation of her idea. This area is located near the center of the village and passes through the same road to historical and cultural sightseeing’s. The idea of establishing a drying-teahouse appeared as a result of the high level of tourism in Dsegh. During the year, approximately 40,000 tourists visit Dsegh, who visit H. Tumanyan's House-Museum, Tsover Lake and other historical and cultural places of the village. While visiting and walking around the village, the tourists wanted to communicate with the residents and be well aware of their daily life, if possible tasting locally produced herbal and healthy teas. This is where Manyak Yeganyan's idea was born: To create a place in the village where tourists could taste and at the same time buy her herbal teas collected from the surrounding forests. Manyak Yeganyan's business idea became one of the 4 winning projects. Within the framework of the funded program, Manyak Yeganyan was able to replenish the teahouse with new equipment and furniture, making it a favorite place for tourists where they can get acquainted with the useful characteristics of certain teas and the process of tea cultivation and become a part of the tea ritual accepted in Dsegh village. Within the framework of the 8-month program supported by the “EURASIA” CPO and the Polish Solidarity Fund Manyak Yeganyan and other participants had the opportunity to develop and present their own business programs with the help and advice of leading experts of the sphere. An important component of the program was also the presentation of the idea of social entrepreneurship to the participants and the emphasis that besides being personal profit, businesses can significantly help other residents of the community as well.