ARARAT, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) Turpanjian College of Health Sciences, together with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Fielding School of Public Health (FSPH), has completed a series of community-based first aid and CPR trainings across Armenia’s Ararat region as part of the Community Wellbeing Project (CWP), a collaborative initiative between the two institutions that expands AUA’s reach within Armenia. CWP is preparing community members with essential life-saving knowledge and skills in order to respond to emergencies through a comprehensive first aid and CPR training program, which is part of a broader effort to strengthen community capacity, improve wellbeing, and foster resilience among both host and displaced populations funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, with matching funds through a donation made to the UCLA FSPH.
The idea for the training emerged from a collaborative process involving local government partners, community members, and the CWP team, reflecting a shared commitment to collective safety and community-driven development. First introduced in the consolidated Masis community, the initiative recognized first aid and CPR as essential skills for everyday emergencies and critical needs in crisis settings.
Led by Dr. Astghik Atanyan (MPH ’18), a research associate at AUA with nearly a decade of experience in first aid instruction, the curriculum was tailored to reflect the specific roles of participants, the contexts in which they operate, and the geographical realities of the region. By training both refugee and host community members, CWP aims to build a strong, inclusive, and resilient community.
In its first phase, the training reached 60 staff members from 27 kindergartens in Masis. These educators now apply their new skills while working with 2,300 children and their families — enhancing community safety and preparedness from the ground up.
The practical nature, clarity, and relevance of the sessions earned widespread recognition. In response to community demand, additional sessions were conducted in collaboration with the Masis community administration and the local Unified Social Service (USS) branch under the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. These sessions trained 25 municipal specialists and 15 USS staff representing 95% of the local branch workforce, who serve over 27,000 residents, including about 8,000 displaced persons.
With strong support from the Ararat Regional Government, the program expanded to reach Initial Military Training teachers working in 106 schools across five consolidated communities: Masis, Artashat, Ararat, Verin Dvin, and Vedi. Many of these teachers had been expected to teach first aid without having received formal training themselves. The training combined theory and hands-on exercises, empowering teachers to practice real-life scenarios and share critical skills with their students. Each participant received a CPR brochure and a first-aid kit to ensure they had the necessary resources readily available. These trained educators now contribute to safer school environments for over 41,000 students.
At the suggestion of the Artashat community administration, an additional session was organized for administrative staff across 25 settlements with around 40,000 people. Participant feedback, collected in partnership with the Artashat community administration, reflected high levels of satisfaction and a strong interest in continued learning. Participants shared their impressions:
“A high-demand training with a well-structured and content-rich program.”
“I am very satisfied with this training. It would be desirable to have such courses more frequently.”
“The training was conducted at a high level by a skilled instructor, using a first aid mannequin and a range of practical tools and materials to enhance the learning experience.”
“The training contributed to expanding our knowledge and provided practical skills for the proper and effective use of bandaging materials.”
In total, 225 individuals have been trained through CWP’s first aid and CPR initiative — each playing a critical role in strengthening the fabric of community wellbeing. These sessions were more than skills training — they were a vehicle for building trust, fostering collaboration, and empowering individuals to protect and care for one another in times of crisis. By preparing both host and displaced communities, and bringing together local authorities, community-based workers, and educators, the initiative reflects CWP’s commitment to community-driven development and shared responsibility.
The AUA Turpanjian College of Health Sciences works actively to improve population health and health services in Armenia and the region through interdisciplinary education and development of health professionals to be leaders in public health, nursing, health services research and evaluation, and health care delivery and management.
