The village of Pemzashen was founded in 1915 by Genocide survivors from Mush and Basen. During the Soviet period the village was transformed into an appealing community based on the resources of the developing industry. The sewing factory, construction material plant and the parts factory for hydro-electric stations offered ample work to all residents. These enterprises were privatized after Armenia’s independence and later closed their doors. Only the construction materials plant is operating and that at 10-12% of capacity. Only a few in the village have found work there since the Yerevan-based owners have brought in workers from the outside.

Deputy Mayor Yura Abrahamyan states that, “Socio-economic conditions for the residents are quite difficult. One can only get by with pensions and other benefits.” He goes on to say that during the past 15 years some 300 families have moved out of Pemzashen.

“In the last presidential election only 1,500 out of 2,200 registered voters cast ballots. A month later the number of those who participated in local elections didn’t even reach 1,100. It wasn’t that the people didn’t get out to vote but rather because many, especially the young men, had left to go abroad. If they are successful in finding stable work tomorrow they’ll send for their families as well.”

Susanna Barseghyan sighs, “Going or staying put, it’s all the same. Only a few that have left get rich. The rest, like all the others, still lead difficult lives.”

“They go and spend years in Russia but can’t send back a few pennies for months on end.” adds 23 year-old Sofi Barseghyan. She has two children. Her husband is in Russia but hasn’t sent back any money for the past four months. “I haven’t seen my husband for over a year.”

Grandma Manik chuckles and says, “OK already, don’t complain so much, we’re practically all in the same boat. Some haven’t seen their husbands for two years.”

 Sofi Barseghyan continues, “We pass the days in senseless activities. We do the household chores and use drinking water in an attempt to cultivate our gardens. But this water isn’t always available. Whatever we plant only grows if it rains. In a word, there’s no future here, no hope.”

Animal husbandry and agriculture aren’t really developed in Pemzashen. Most of the privatized lands go uncultivated. Most of these lands aren’t flat, are infertile and not watered.

“Arable land totals some 400 hectares. On average, there are 1,600 square meters for each person, but there’s no irrigation water. We can’t even raise animals in these conditions because only perennial grasses grow and most of them are useless. People today are forced to spend the little money they have for other things so how are they expected to raise animals?”

Deputy Mayor Abrahamyan continues, “Even if 100% of land taxes were collected in these conditions it would only amount to 3.9 million drams, 4.5 million with all essential revenues. A majority of the community’s budget is made up of 28 million drams in state assistance and much can’t be accomplished with this amount. We are just able to pay the salaries of employees at the kindergarten, the school and the Municipality. True, certain road repair work is taking place but it doesn’t amount to much.”
The Deputy Mayor recounts that a drinking and irrigation water system plan has been presented to a number of donor organizations. Due to the assistance of a Japanese foundation, a firm called “Jinj” won the competitive tender and should have started work this past spring.

“They haven’t shown due to the political problems related to the elections. We have no direct contact with the firm. The Shirak Regional Office has found out that the donations have been halted and that the amounts aren’t being released by the outside banks. But we are sure that everything is in order” Mr. Abrahamyan states.

Pemzashen Village Mayor Yervand Mikayelyan notes that a distribution system exclusively for drinking water costing some $350,000 should have been constructed. “We still don’t have a project outline for irrigation water. I’m working on it right now.”

Mayor Yervand Mikayelyan believes the only hope for the village lies in the creation of new employment. “The villager can’t accomplish anything on his own. Often times we can’t even obtain credit. In general, Shirak is considered to be a risk-zone. Banks won’t risk giving credit and the villagers have no collateral to take out loans in order to at least kick-start small and medium sized business. Thus what remains is for outside investors to come in, start up business and employ the local labor force. The residents of Pemzashen are a hard-working lot. All it takes is for an entrepreneur to come in and take a risk.”

Pemzashen resident Sos Barseghyan concludes that, “Nothing will change the situation here. There needs to be a serious and well thought-out development program by the government. Otherwise, the village doesn’t have much of a future in the long-term.”