The Havat Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) of hard-hearing children's mothers was founded in 1996 at the Republican Children's Surdological Center (Armenia). It includes about 500 hard-hearing children from Yerevan and regions of the country.

It is known, that inferiority and absence of acoustical function at the child result in absence of speech. Meanwhile, duly provision with acoustical devices and continual (for about 3-4 years) speech-developing training with surdopedagogue restore speech function.

So the child does not become in the perspective a heavy burden for family and community, being capable to work in economic, scientific, cultural and other spheres, at his own choice. And most important: the person is formed as a high-grade community member, without superfluous psychological complexes, again having received the pleasure of communication given to the man by nature.

From year to year NGO Havat cooperates with the Armenian office of Ginishian Foundation, the British charitable union "Aid Armenia", the American organization "Yerevan-Cambridge - Twin Cities". As a result of this cooperation, the Surdological Center has received modern diagnostic equipment, 300 children have been provided with hearing-aids, speech-developing courses have been conducted. 6 of 25 children taken the training have attended secondary schools. In a percentage ratio number of children attending special schools is higher as compared with those attending secondary school, basically, owing to lack of financial assets. However, among those attending secondary schools are children having made brilliant progress, without difficulties mastering two foreign languages, fluently speaking Armenian.

Since 2001 NGO Havat has been cooperating with organizations of hard-hearing children from Vanadzor, Spitak, Stepanavan, that gives an opportunity to develop a wider, joint outlook on problems of disability, and contribute to improvement of legislative field, interacting with state authorities. In 2001 NGO Havat, having headed a coalition of 6 public organizations, has been awarded the grant of the World Learning within the framework of the advocacy program named "Integration of Persons with Disabilities into Society in the Republic of Armenia". Havat has issued a brochure, which contains useful information about the ear, its function, structure and symptoms of diseases, and also about measures preventing hearing diseases.

Each year the Yerevan office of Ginishian Foundation organizes for NGO Havat New Year party at the Chamber Theater, where children besides enjoying an interesting performance are given beautiful gifts. Hard-hearing children and their parents need assistance; for this reason Havat from time to time, whenever possible, sponsors conducting of speech-developing training.

Havat has an agreement with a well-known Swiss company "PHONAK" regarding preliminary individual examination of each child and purchase of appropriate acoustical devices at discounted prices. All interested persons can address in NGO Havat so that they should be included in the lists.NGO Havat plans to open the educational preschool center, where speech-development groups, as well as computer, theatrical and eurhythmics groups will be available. We are seeking support for realization of our plans. First of all, we need a premise. We invite all interested people and organizations to take part in our work.