Press Releases
Armenia’s First Security Wall Built at the Nerkin Karmir Aghpyur Kindergarten.
Tavush Region, Armenia–The village of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur, located in the Bert area of Armenia’s Tavush Region celebrated the re-opening of its kindergarten on August 31, 2014 following the complete renovation undertaken by The Paros Foundation. The project was generously sponsored by the New York based Atamian Family through The Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity initiative.
Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is home to 1,380 brave residents. During the conflict with Azerbaijan, it was the single most damaged Armenian village, losing nearly 400 homes to the devastation. Today, this community still lives with the risk of sniper fire and renewed armed conflict. 70% of their land remains uncultivated due to the dangers of farming on the border. Little opportunities remain for residents, making unemployment and migration a huge problem. Village children are among those greatly affected by these dangerous living conditions. For years the kindergarten could only serve 25 village children due to its poor physical condition and location, with part of the building and playground being exposed to Azerbaijan.
“The beautiful children of this village deserve to start their education in a safe and warm environment that is conductive to learning. This is one of the most attractive school renovations I’ve seen anywhere in Armenia,” said sponsor Jean-Marie Atamian. “Several years ago my family decided to invest in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur because of the strategic and economic importance of the village. Our border villages protect Armenia’s territorial integrity and secure the country’s food supply. Accordingly, we feel that it is absolutely critical for the residents of our villages know that they are not alone and that the diaspora stands with them in their fight to safeguard Armenia.”
The renovation of the kindergarten, a two story 4,600 square foot building, included a new roof, doors and windows, flooring, heating system, restroom, plumbing, electrical and staircase. The facility was also completely painted with attractive wall murals and was furnished with beds and closets for the children. Substantial repairs were also made to the building’s foundation and first floor to repair damage sustained from Azeri shelling. The project included the construction of Armenia’s first “security wall,” a cement, steel and stone wall which surrounds the renovated playground and protects the children from being easy targets while they play and attend school. As a result of the renovation and building modifications, 50 children can now attend the kindergarten safely.
During renovations, Azeri sniper fire continued and damaged several parts of the building, including a newly replaced water pipe, the roof and gutters, a bold reminder of how tenuous the situation remains, and that we must continue to support and invest in the residents of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur.
“My parents, George and Ines Atamian, inspired us to help build a prosperous nation for future generations. Having now completed the renovation of the medical clinic and nursery school we will move on to equally important projects in this village. We urge everyone to join the extraordinary work being carried out by The Paros Foundation by financing similar infrastructure projects in Armenia’s other border villages,” said Atamian.
“On behalf of the Paros Foundation we extend our deepest gratitude to Jean-Marie Atamian and his family for their continued support of our projects and this border village,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation. The Paros Foundation underwrote all administrative expenses associated with this project, allowing 100% of the Atamian Family’s contribution to be allocated to the kindergarten.
Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. To sponsor a Paros 100 for 100 Project for Prosperity, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.
To honor the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, The Paros Foundation launched The Paros 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity initiative in the fall of 2011 to benefit Armenia and her people. 100 pre-screened projects in the areas of development, education, cultural and humanitarian will be implemented to help make Armenia stronger and improve the lives of her people.
Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. To find out how you can sponsor an orphanage excursion, or other project and for more information about how to get involved, visit www.parosfoundation.org or call (310) 400-9061.
Formally launched in 2006, The Paros Foundation supports six exemplary local NGOs in Armenia and launched the Paros 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity in October of 2011 to commemorate the upcoming centennial of the Armenian Genocide. With an aggressive goal of identifying, vetting, fundraising for and ultimately implementing 100 special projects, The Paros Foundation and its staff in Armenia and the United States are quickly earning a reputation as the “go to” organization to oversee small and medium-sized project implementation in Armenia.
To sponsor a project of the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.