Gyumri, Armenia— Just prior to Christmas, 2012 the Poghosyan family’s makeshift home—commonly known as a “domik” caught fire and burnt. Homeless and struggling from their loss, the family and their six children moved into yet another domik. The Paros Foundation, through its “Purchase a Home” project, part of its 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, launched an effort to solve the Poghosyan family’s housing needs. In early December 2013, the family was presented with keys to their new apartment thanks to the generous sponsorship of California donors, who simply want to be referred to as Nejde & Lilit.

“We first met the Poghosyan family during the implementation of our Gyumri Winter Rescue project in January 2013.” Said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation. “It was hard to imagine what this family had gone through, and we quickly committed to figuring out what we could do to help.”

Learning of the plight of the Poghosyan family and wanting to help, Nejde & Lilit committed to the necessary funds and the search for a new apartment for the Poghosyan family began. Within several weeks, the transaction was complete and the family moved into their new apartment.

Throughout the process, our Gyumri Partner, Vahan Tumasyan, Executive Director of The Shirak Center, worked closely with our Armenia based Staff and spearheaded the effort to identify and help relocate the family.

The Paros Foundation underwrote all administrative expenses to allow 100% of sponsor contributions to be allocated towards the purchase the Poghosyan family’s home.

Today, almost 4,000 families in Gyumri, Armenia’s second largest city, still live in these unsafe, and extreme conditions, taking shelter in dilapidated buildings and in the rusted remains of overseas shipping containers. Some, left homeless following the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, and other, simple victims of extreme poverty are left with little alternative than to live in these inhuman conditions.

The Paros Foundation and the Poghosyan express our deepest appreciation to Nejde & Lilit for making this miracle happen.

The Paros Foundation remains committed to helping alleviate this human suffering through its “Purchase a Home” project. To sponsor this or another Paros 100 for 100 project, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.

Please consider sponsoring a project in memory of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, through the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, by visiting www.parosfoundation.org.  The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing all sponsor contributions to be spent 100% on the project.  Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  When in Armenia, The Paros Foundation’s staff will arrange a visit to and tour of your project.
Donations can be made online at www.parosfoundation.org via credit card or check made payable to: The Paros Foundation, and mailed to:  918 Parker Street, Suite A14, Berkeley, CA  94710.

YEREVAN, Armenia—Share-a-Pair, a project of The Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity distributed more than 50,000 shoes to children in need in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh this year.

“In its third year, Share-a-Pair has successfully distributed more than 75,000 pairs of new shoes and almost 1,000 pairs of warm winter boots to children in need,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation. “This has been particularly exciting because we have been able to engage hundreds of volunteers from around the world during our various distributions.”

In 2013, shoes were distributed to children in need, in more than 90 rural communities. Distributions were also made to children in boarding schools, kindergartens, orphanages and through other non governmental children’s organizations.

Helping meet the need of an impoverished child with a well-fitting pair of new shoes appropriate for school or play, improves their health and development. New shoes are costly and often times poise a financial hardship for parents of multiple children. Throughout the process, both children and their parents expressed their thanks for this bit of relief.

Through our partially funded Healthy Teeth Project, dental hygiene products were distributed to almost 2,000 children in select rural communities. SERVICE-Armenia 2013 participants both distributed the products and provided instruction on their proper usage.
Our partner, Focus on Children Now spearheaded shoe distributions throughout needy communities in Nagorno Karabakh. Ambassador John Heffern, US Ambassador to Armenia and the US Embassy’s Helping Hands group joined with our SERVICE Armenia 2013 Participants to distribution shoes to children in rural communities.

The Paros Foundation expresses its sincere appreciation to the donors, the Unison, NGO supporting people with special needs, Focus on children now, Ambassador John Heffern, the Helping Hands group at the US Embassy in Armenia, the Paros Foundation’s SERVICE Armenia 2013 participants and all the other volunteers that joined this important effort.

Share-a-Pair’s Operation Winter Boots continues to accept donations. A $20 contribution will provide a child in need a new pair of warm winter boots. The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing 100% of donor contributions to go directly to this project. To sponsor a project of the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.

Please consider sponsoring a project in memory of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, through the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, by visiting www.parosfoundation.org.  The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing all sponsor contributions to be spent 100% on the project.  Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  When in Armenia, The Paros Foundation’s staff will arrange a visit to and tour of your project.
Donations can be made online at www.parosfoundation.org via credit card or check made payable to: The Paros Foundation, and mailed to:  918 Parker Street, Suite A14, Berkeley, CA  94710.