About Us

Depi Ver (Upward) exists to see the transformation of Spitak and surrounding communities by working together as families, building each other UP to create homes that are relationally, economically and physically strong and healthy.

In 2017 our founder Linda visited Spitak and was introduced to families with disabled children who were struggling to provide and look after their children. Through offering emotional support and helping bring awareness of the need of these children to a wider community we were able to help raise funds to pay for medical operations to improve the quality of life for each child.

We recognize that a healthy home and family environment is at the core of creating a flourishing community. By building up each family unit and helping them forge new opportunities 

Many with community are single mums who struggle to raise their children whilst gaining an income. In response to this need we were able to begin a parenting support group whilst creating a small farming business that provided seasonal income throughout the year. We continue to work with families, looking to their strengths and building upon them to bring hope and change for the future.

in areas such as wellness for women and children, education, community healthcare, employment and housing we believe a whole community can be transformed.

Linda Timberlake

Co-Founder

Coming from Uzbekistan having spent 7 years as a school principal and 15 years teaching, Linda now lives in Armenia with her two beautiful daughters. For the past 5 years she has been a strong advocate for single moms, listening to their stories and raising awareness of their struggles. Having experienced first hand the difficulties of bringing up children alone, she felt compelled to move into the temporary housing area of Italakan to support the single mothers and families with disable children. Linda now carries the vision to create strong and healthy families in Spitak that will transform their community and surrounding villages.

Steve Trevett

Co-Founder

For the past 5 years Steve and his wife Sarah, along with their three children have been living and working in Armenia. Having qualified as an Architect in the UK with a postgraduate diploma in Development and Emergency Practice he worked in design studios in both Oxford and London. Whilst living in London Steve and Sarah partnered with the largest UK debt counseling provider to help inner city families overcome their financial struggles. During this period they pioneered a money management program working with inmates in one of London’s largest prisons. Steve is passionate about his family, architecture and helping others grow in their strengths and talents.

We build each other UP

Our

VALUES

Empowerment

Driven by our understanding that communities will experience positive long lasting transformation when they themselves are the agents of change, we value development over relief whenever possible. We value equipping over simply providing and empowering relationships over dependence.

Integrity

We value integrity and professionalism in all that we do and seek to celebrate others achievements over our own recognition.

Family

We value family and believe that by strengthening the family, you strengthen the community. We aspire to give our best to others and recognize that in working alongside other like minded individuals and organizations we will achieve our goals together.

Inclusivity

In a family every member is important and has a role to play. We value being inclusive and looking to each other's strengths as we grow together.

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Our

BOARD MEMBERS

Craig Simonian

With his wife, Joyce, Craig Simonian has been working cross-culturally for over thirty years. In Central Asia, he worked with Shelter Now International, which roofed over two thousand homes in war-torn Tajikistan. He also worked with the Central Asian Development Agency, creating and leading its Management Development Center, which focused on business, English, and Communications technology training. He led Global Operation & Development’s work in Central Asia working primarily with ecological migrants whose homes were being destroyed. Through the years, Craig led partner projects with various UN agencies, the World Bank, IOM, USAID, Save-the-Children, Mercy Corps, and other NGO and local governments. Craig is passionate about empowering and equipping.

Lilit Tonoyan

With a degree in physics & pedagogy and a PhD in biophysics, Lilit is a social entrepreneur who believes in and loves to spread the message of hope. Lilit is the founder of Soap for Hope, a social eco-friendly initiative that produces organic soap and beauty products and directs profits toward social developments in hard-to-reach areas in Artsakh. Lilit has also worked as teacher of physics and is an avid climate change activist, which she views as not only an environmental issue but spiritual one as well. Lilit is an active member of “The Federation of European Biochemical Society (FEBS)” and has published multiple articles regarding her scientific research on cell biology.

Laurens Ayvazian

Born and raised in the New York area and now living in Armenia, Laurens’ lifelong love for Armenia began with study at Yerevan State University. He holds a degree in Russian studies and is a licensed attorney. He returned to Armenia to assist with earthquake relief in 1989, and again four years later to head a $45M humanitarian assistance program during Armenia’s severe energy and economic crisis. He has headed a US foundation in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, approving 400 grants to strengthen civil society, launched a cooperation program across hostile borders in the region to reduce tension by promoting joint partnerships, and directed a US-Russia peer-to-peer cooperation program and university partnership program.