Ayo! is thrilled to join forces with the Yerevan Botanical Gardens to support a (literal) groundbreaking initiative to introduce therapeutic horticultural practices to Armenia!
Established in 1935, the garden – one of Yerevan’s largest green spaces – has seen periods of disrepair and neglect. But young director and prominent botanist Arsen Gasparyan is changing that. He’s creative and, along with his team, committed to improving the garden space. Lots of little projects are in the works, including the creation of an outdoor library, an “insect hotel” and a fungus exhibit.
Recently, Arsen approached us with an idea that we loved – a therapeutic garden tailored to kids.
The project, based on proven therapeutic gardening principles, will promote cognitive development, physical health, emotional well-being, and communication skills for all children. It will be particularly beneficial for those who have faced displacement or those with special needs.
Ayo!’s contribution will enable the Botanical Gardens to cultivate the space, building raised beds for plants, tables for seedlings and adding an irrigation system, toilet facilities, security cameras, and more. Once the garden space is cultivated, they Botanical Gardens team will establish interactive activities and gardening classes, with a special focus on reaching 500 displaced children and youth from Artsakh. The therapeutic garden will then be available for all children and youth to explore for years to come.