I watched the sun come up this morning and this was my view.  Pretty awesome.

 

Today I met with our Chairman, Roger Strauch for a strategy session.

Roger and I discussed the Foundation’s direction, our new website and I updated him on our Prosperity on the Border campaign.

 

 

 

Following our strategy session, I met with my colleague, Sevan Amirians to discuss several projects that fall within our Prosperity on the Border campaign.  Monday we depart for the Tavush Region for several days to start many of the projects that are funded and ready to be implemented and also plan our next steps.

 

My colleague, Gegham and I left Yerevan for Vanadzor at 9 a.m. in the rain.  By 10 a.m., the rain had turned to snow.  Road conditions remained good for the most part and we arrived at the Vanadzor Music School #3 only about 20 minutes behind schedule.

The Vanadzor Music School #3 was rebuilt after the 1988 Spitak Earthquake as a result of the efforts of the Bay Area Armenian community who used proceeds from the opening night performance and Gala Dinner of the Arshak II Opera to support the music schools reconstruction.  The Paros Foundation maintains a small fund to support the school with musical instruments, building maintenance needs and other needed supplies.  We have also been successful in supporting some scholarships for students attending the school.  250 students attend classes at the school, studying both classical and folk instruments, dance and vocals.  It is a great place.

We visited to check up on things and assess what needs they might have.  The floor in the room used for dance instruction needs to be replaced so we took some measurements and will tackle that project soon.

Next we visited the Vanadzor Museum of Fine Arts.  We have worked to promote the Museum and its amazing collection of art for many years.  The Museum building itself needs a considerable amount of TLC, but the museum staff is very active both holding special exhibits and activities, and working on writing grants both to sponsor special exhibits and to upgrade the facility.  Be sure to include this museum on any visit to or through Vanadzor!  In addition to learning about the Museum’s current needs, we visited the Museum’s Gift Shop that we built there in 2009 in memory of Angela and Karekin Barsoumian to promote the sales of local artists work to benefit both the artist and the Museum.  We helped brand the Museum with both a website and official logo and a street sign several years ago and it is time to replace the outdoor sign.

Our third and final stop in the Vanadzor area was in the village of Gugark.  We visited the family of one of our fallen soldiers from the April War, Nodarik Margaryan.  This Hero fought in the Artsakh war in the late 80s and early 90s and had since been enlisted as a contract soldier.  He was killed in Artsakh and is survived by his elderly mother, his son and daughter and one grand daughter.  Nodarik’s son has a genetic disease that has kept him from physically growing.  While he is 24, he appears as if he is 9 or 10 years old.  The family makes ends meet through farming their plot of land and caring for 50 chickens and a cow.  As part of our Support Our Heroes project, we initially met with his family in 2016 and offered them our condolences and provided the family with $1,000.

Thanks to the support of AIWA-San Francisco, we were able to revisit this family one year later and provide them with a cow as a source of ongoing economic support.  With some of our remaining project funds, we wanted to assess what we could do next to help this family.

When we visited, they were already working on a plan to do some very modest barn renovations and purchase two or three pigs.  It is pretty uplifting to try and assist a family that is working hard to help themselves.  We will remain in close contact and help this family launch this new enterprise.

Gegham and I departed for Yerevan and made it back through the rain and snow in time to stop at the tailor shop to pick up our new Paros winter coats!

This morning, my colleague Gegham and I departed for the Hatsik School in Armavir despite the fact that it is International Women’s Day and a national holiday (schools are closed today and tomorrow.) Our construction crew is making solid progress renovating the school’s assembly hall and adjacent hallway.  We began our work on one building in Hatsik with our SERVICE Armenia crew of volunteers in 2013, and an agreement with COAF to renovate the other building on campus.  Both buildings are now in terrific shape and the students and staff are very excited about the addition of this assembly space.  The auditorium and hallway renovation is sponsored through a generous donation from the Ariyan family from New York, who visited the school as part of their family visit to Armenia (thank you!) The crew informed us that work should be completed in 45 days.

We returned to Yerevan and made a quick stop at our amazing tailor who is not only altering a few things for me, but is embroidering a seat cover for our Mobile Dental Clinic.  We dropped off new winter coats so he can add our Paros logo to them, and discussed adding the appropriate logos to staff scrubs for the Apelian Dental Clinic and the Mobile Dental Clinic.

Next stop was at the Ideal store.  Ideal is one of the largest suppliers of building materials and supplies in Armenia.  We purchase most of our tile, flooring, heating and bathroom fixtures from there because we have negotiated a very healthy discount on our purchases through their corporate offices.  And as an added bonus, they are only importing products from Russia, Iran and Europe.  So, our task at Ideal today was to purchase about 1,100 square feet of porcelain tiles for the kitchen and cafeteria at the Rind village school.  Mission accomplished.

Along the way, we were able to successfully set our appointments for our visit to Vanadzor tomorrow.

I ended the day back at my apartment with some soup and giving in to my jet lag.

As part of our effort to be fully transparent, answer questions about our work and feature what it takes to implement successful projects, I am messing around with the concept of blogging highlights of my trip to Armenia on a daily basis–so here goes nothing.

This morning, my colleague, Gegham and I started our day at the George Apelian Dental Clinic in Yerevan.  We have worked with the clinic for the last two years.  The clinic provides free dental services for children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families through the Pyrkutyun Center in the Shengavit neighborhood of Yerevan.  The clinic has a couple of needs including a $2,000 attachment to their x-ray machine that will allow for digital x-rays for their patients.  We need to put together an effort to raise these funds.

Then, we left for the one and a half hour drive to the village of Rind.  Back in November, The Paros Foundation and the Armenia Tree Project held a joint fundraiser in New York to raise support for the renovation of the Rind school’s kitchen, cafeteria and the planting of more than 500 trees and the implementation of environmental curriculum at the school.  Thanks to the generous donors, this project is fully funded and a local crew has been hired and work is already underway.  The mayor is overseeing some roof repairs and helping bring water and sewer lines to the new kitchen.  Be sure to check out the Rind School project page on the website.

The work is progressing well.  The crew was working on repairing the walls and pouring the new subfloors.  Once they dry, they will begin working on the plaster and installing the new tile floor.  We met with the school’s principal, Ashot, who is supervising the work on a daily basis.  We discussed the kitchen equipment needs, furniture and additional supplies.  We wrapped up our visit and headed back to Yerevan.

Upon our return to Yerevan, we were joined by our colleague, Sevan, and we met with the team at FAR to discuss possible cooperation on our Prosperity on the Border projects.  Both Paros and FAR are working on several fronts with the communities along the Armenia Azerbaijan border in Tavush.  We had a great discussion and hopefully this will lead to future cooperation.

On February 1, 2017 the Debi Arach Children’s Center launched the new Vocational Training Center with the commencement of classes in computer programming, 3d printing and robotics. With the goal of helping children from Gyumri’s most economically challenged families, the program aims to provide students with the skills they need to secure employment in Armenia’s growing technology-sector job market, hopefully bringing them and their families out of poverty.  The Vocational Training Center is made possible through a generous grant from the Assarian Family Foundation (MI-USA).

The program’s curriculum was developed by the Union of Information Technology Enterprises (UITE) and is part of a nationwide effort to promote early high tech education and encourage young people to embrace careers in technology.  Classes in software and hardware, and computer and mobile device repair will also begin in the coming months.  An additional accelerated curriculum for young adults especially military veterans is also planned. All classes are offered free of charge.

“I am pleased to support the vocational training program at the Debi Arach Children’s Center because I believe that we have to give people an opportunity to develop marketable skills so they can work and earn a living wage,” said Dr. Gary Assarian, on behalf of the Assarian Family Foundation.  “I look forward to working with the Paros Foundation on this important effort.”

“The Debi Arach Children’s Center itself was the historic 100^th project of the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, which commemorated the centennial of the Armenian Genocide by implementing 100 special projects throughout Armenia. These projects were sponsored by hundreds of families from the Diaspora,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director.

Debi Arach, which in Armenian means “moving forward,” helps socially vulnerable children through a holistic approach providing them both humanitarian and educational support. The center provides counseling and group therapy with a psychologist on staff, homework help and college entrance exam tutoring for all subjects. Additionally, the children are served a nutritious meal each day. Furthermore, the Center addresses a very important hygienic need by providing the children with supervised bathing facilities via the on-staff nurse. The goal is to help hundreds of children develop a vision for a successful future and to give them the skills they need to reach these goals.

Formally launched in 2006, The Paros Foundation has earned a reputation as the “go to” organization to oversee small and medium-sized project implementation in Armenia.  Beginning with our support for seven exemplary local non-government organizations working with children, people with disabilities and the arts, the foundation works to help build a sustainable and vibrant homeland while improving living conditions for its most vulnerable populations. To facilitate volunteerism, The Paros Foundation launched its SERVICE Armenia program in 2013. This Armenia-based service program for teens and young adults provides participants an opportunity to travel to and experience all that Armenia has to offer while helping make a difference.  Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  The foundation underwrites 100% of administrative costs, thus allowing all donor contributions to be allocated directly to the projects.

To learn more about The Paros Foundation or its projects, or to sponsor a project of the Projects for Prosperity initiative, please visit www.parosfoundation.org or call (310) 400-9061.

BERKELEY, CA—The Paros Foundation is excited to announce its dates for SERVICE Armenia 2017. The Program will run from June 24 to July 25, 2017 and enables young people to travel and tour Armenia and Artsakh, while engaging in meaningful service projects benefiting Armenia and her people. Applications are now available on the Foundation’s website www.parosfoundation.org.

“I am looking forward to a fun and successful SERVICE Armenia 2017 program this summer.” Said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation. “It is quite exciting to see students from throughout the country develop friendships with one another while working on meaningful service projects in Armenia.”

“Seeing what we accomplished over the month in Armenia was very meaningful for me.  Working with the kids and working on renovating the three classrooms was very exciting and fulfilling.”  Said Alec Muradlyan, “I would definitely recommend this program to anyone interested.”

Throughout the Program, participants will tour historic, religious and cultural sites in Armenia and Artsakh with experienced, English speaking staff and guides. Safe and well located accommodations and transportation combined with interesting cultural and educational activities will ensure all will have an engaging and memorable experience. The program is open to both Armenian and American young people (ages 17 to 23ish) wishing to participate in this once in a lifetime opportunity. Knowledge of the Armenian language is not required. Join us and create a lifetime of great memories and friends. The deadline to submit the completed application is April 1, 2017.

“Overall, this was the best month ever and I couldn’t imagine my first experience in Armenia any other way. I made amazing memories with the best people, who I will carry out friendships with for a lifetime!” Said Nicole Sarkisian, SERVICE Armenia 2015 Participant.

More information including photos, video and the application form can be found at www.parosfoundation.org. For more information, please contact Peter Abajian (310) 400-9061 or via peter@parosfoundation.org.

ABOUT THE PAROS FOUNDATION

Formally launched in 2006, The Paros Foundation and its staff in Armenia and the United States have earned a reputation as the “go to” organization to oversee small and medium-sized project implementation in Armenia.  Beginning with our support for seven exemplary local non-government organizations working with children, people with disabilities and the arts, the foundation works towards helping build a sustainable and vibrant homeland while improving living conditions for its most vulnerable populations.

With an aggressive goal of identifying, vetting, fundraising for and ultimately implementing 100 special projects, The Paros Foundation launched the Paros 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity in October of 2011 to commemorate the centennial of the Armenian Genocide.  Following the successful completion of this initiative, the Foundation’s leadership agreed to continue operating via this project-based model of philanthropy, and launched the “Paros Projects for Prosperity.”

To facilitate volunteerism, The Paros Foundation launched its SERVICE Armenia program in 2013. This Armenia-based service program  provides participants an opportunity to travel to, and experience all that Armenia has to offer while helping make a difference.

Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  The Foundation underwrites100% of administrative costs allowing all donor contributions to be allocated directly to the projects.

To learn more about the Paros Foundation or its projects or to sponsor a project of the Paros Foundation’s Projects for Prosperity initiative, please visit www.parosfoundation.org or call (310) 400-9061.

Berkeley, CA– The Paros Foundation is proud to report that $104,000 was successfully distributed to 104 families of Heroes killed through the end of May 2016. Paros staff personally met with all of the families and passed on this modest, but immensely important amount.

“The families of our heroes expressed their deep appreciation for the support they received from The Paros Foundation,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation. “Families stated over and over again how meaningful it was having both having us visit them and knowing the Diaspora remains vigilant.”

On the morning of April 1st, 2016, under President Ilham Aliyev’s rule, Azeri armed forces launched an attack on Artsakh claiming the lives of 104 civilians, volunteers and soldiers, young and old. What has been coined as the “Four Day War” left Armenians throughout the world in a state of shock, anger and sadness. In response to the devastating news and with encouragement from supporters, The Paros Foundation immediately launched the Support Our Heros fund. The goal of the fund was to raise $1,000 for each Hero’s family.

In a matter of weeks, more than $120,000 was raised for this effort. The Paros Foundation witnessed the coming together of Armenians throughout the world who contributed to the ” Support Our Heroes” fund. The Paros Foundation extends their deepest gratitude to Mr. Serj Tankian for his very successful effort to help promote this cause.

“This effort is particularly important in that families of deceased soldiers in Armenia and Artsakh are economically disadvantaged to carry on,” said Serj Tankian via his social media post.

AIWA-San Francisco Chapter, who collected $4,000 for severely impoverished widows of soldiers and contract fighters in Artsakh partnered with The Paros Foundation to help distribute these funds. Furthermore, the Repat, Sahman and Arar organizations who are based in Armenia also joined The Paros Foundation to help raise funds and conduct joint distributions for this important effort.

Excess funds collected will used to provide aid to families of soldiers who were killed subsequent to May 2016. The fund will remain open and continue to help families of our heroes. A complete list of deceased soldiers is available on The Paros Foundation website www.parosfoundation.org.

The Paros Foundation underwrote all administrative expenses associated with this effort allowing all contributions to be allocated 100% to the families. Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

ABOUT THE PAROS FOUNDATION

Formally launched in 2006, The Paros Foundation and its staff in Armenia and the United States have earned a reputation as the “go to” organization to oversee small and medium-sized project implementation in Armenia.  Beginning with our support for seven exemplary local non-government organizations working with children, people with disabilities and the arts, the foundation works towards helping build a sustainable and vibrant homeland while improving living conditions for its most vulnerable populations.

With an aggressive goal of identifying, vetting, fundraising for and ultimately implementing 100 special projects, The Paros Foundation launched the Paros 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity in October of 2011 to commemorate the centennial of the Armenian Genocide.  Following the successful completion of this initiative, the Foundation’s leadership agreed to continue operating via this project-based model of philanthropy, and launched the “Paros Projects for Prosperity.”

To facilitate volunteerism, The Paros Foundation launched its SERVICE Armenia program in 2013. This Armenia-based service program  provides participants an opportunity to travel to, and experience all that Armenia has to offer while helping make a difference.

Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  The Foundation underwrites100% of administrative costs allowing all donor contributions to be allocated directly to the projects.

To learn more about the Paros Foundation or its projects or to sponsor a project of the Paros Foundation’s Projects for Prosperity initiative, please visit www.parosfoundation.org or call (310) 400-9061.

Dear Friends,
The April military offensive by Azerbaijan proved the need to keep our border communities strong, prosperous and vigilant. The brave people living in these villages are the protectors of our homeland, yet many of these villages lack basic infrastructure making it difficult for families to live and work. Our assessment of several villages in Tavush and Geghagunik border regions identified specific infrastructure, educational, economic development and humanitarian projects. Successful implementation of these projects will lead to increased vitality and opportunity in these villages and will ultimately contribute to our nation’s security.

In 2013, The Paros Foundation launched the “adopt a village” model in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur. Residents greatly benefited from the renovated medical center, village school, and kindergarten facility. With the addition of our agribusiness project, which provides families with needed infrastructure, livestock, feed and expertise to develop their own successful agribusinesses, villagers were able to further provide for their families, improve the village economy, and develop stronger, deeper roots. This model works!

With your generous support and commitment, The Paros Foundation will invest $75,000-$250,000 in each of several border villages–upwards of $2 million over the next three years. We greatly appreciate contributions in any amount. Invest today and help secure Armenia’s future, strengthen her borders, and build prosperous communities by making your tax-deductible donation today!

The Paros Foundation underwrites 100% of administrative expenses allowing all contributions to be allocated to these projects. Please visit www.parosfoundation.org to view our successfully completed projects in Armenia’s border villages.

ABOUT THE PAROS FOUNDATION

Formally launched in 2006, The Paros Foundation and its staff in Armenia and the United States have earned a reputation as the “go to” organization to oversee small and medium-sized project implementation in Armenia.  Beginning with our support for seven exemplary local non-government organizations working with children, people with disabilities and the arts, the foundation works towards helping build a sustainable and vibrant homeland while improving living conditions for its most vulnerable populations.

With an aggressive goal of identifying, vetting, fundraising for and ultimately implementing 100 special projects, The Paros Foundation launched the Paros 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity in October of 2011 to commemorate the centennial of the Armenian Genocide.  Following the successful completion of this initiative, the Foundation’s leadership agreed to continue operating via this project-based model of philanthropy, and launched the “Paros Projects for Prosperity.”

To facilitate volunteerism, The Paros Foundation launched its SERVICE Armenia program in 2013. This Armenia-based service program  provides participants an opportunity to travel to, and experience all that Armenia has to offer while helping make a difference.

Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  The Foundation underwrites100% of administrative costs allowing all donor contributions to be allocated directly to the projects.

To learn more about the Paros Foundation or its projects or to sponsor a project of the Paros Foundation’s Projects for Prosperity initiative, please visit www.parosfoundation.org or call (310) 400-9061.

Tavush, Armenia–Opening day in the Tavush border village of Nerkin Karmir Aghpyur was filled with excitement and celebration as the students, staff and families first viewed their school’s newly renovated wing.

Jean-Marie and Lori Atamian and their family made this work possible with their generous support, through the Paros Foundation’s Projects for Prosperity. The Atamian family and the Paros Foundation have worked together for more than four years to improve the quality of life here for the families of Tavush.

“This investment brings the total to almost $200,000 which we have directly invested in this strategic border community,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation.  “By addressing the educational, safety, health and economic development issues facing the residents here, we hope to bring a greater level of prosperity to this village.”

The renovation of this wing of the primary school included the complete reconstruction of six classrooms, the large hallway and two new bathrooms including new classroom furniture for the children.  A plaque installed in the hallway reads “Reconstruction of this wing of the Nerkin Karmir Aghpyur School is in honor of our brave soldiers, who defend the borders of Armenia and Artsakh on a daily basis, and their families.” Last year, through the efforts of Michael & Patricia Starzer, the elementary school wing of this school was completely renovated.  The final phase of the work at the school will include the renovation of the kitchen and dining hall and the school’s entryway and locker rooms and will be completed in the coming months.

“I invite other families to invest in a border village as my family and friends have and to share in the satisfaction of positively impacting the lives of our brothers and sisters in this strategic manner,“ said Jean-Marie Atamian.

In the coming weeks, the Paros Foundation will launch its “Prosperity on the Border” initiative focusing on investing in Armenia’s border villages in the Tavush and Gegharkunik regions.   This campaign will target economic development, educational and infrastructure projects in strategic border communities. Prosperity on the Border will invest in border communities to improve the living standards and economic conditions for families.

About The Paros Foundation

Formally launched in 2006, The Paros Foundation and its staff in Armenia and the United States have earned a reputation as the “go to” organization to oversee small and medium-sized project implementation in Armenia.  Beginning with our support for seven exemplary local non-government organizations working with children, people with disabilities and the arts, the foundation works towards helping build a sustainable and vibrant homeland while improving living conditions for its most vulnerable populations.

With an aggressive goal of identifying, vetting, fundraising for and ultimately implementing 100 special projects, The Paros Foundation launched the Paros 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity in October of 2011 to commemorate the centennial of the Armenian Genocide.  Following the successful completion of this initiative, the Foundation’s leadership agreed to continue operating via this project-based model of philanthropy, and launched the “Paros Projects for Prosperity.”

To facilitate volunteerism, The Paros Foundation launched its SERVICE Armenia program in 2013. This Armenia-based service program  provides participants an opportunity to travel to, and experience all that Armenia has to offer while helping make a difference.

Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  The Foundation underwrites100% of administrative costs allowing all donor contributions to be allocated directly to the projects.

To learn more about the Paros Foundation or its projects or to sponsor a project of the Paros Foundation’s Projects for Prosperity initiative, please visit www.parosfoundation.org or call (310) 400-9061.

Berkeley, California–The Paros Foundation’s 2016 SERVICE Armenia program was another great success. Participants included 23 young people from across the United States and Dubai who worked together on seven different humanitarian and educational service projects over the course of four weeks, all while touring and enjoying Armenia and making life-long friendships.

“I loved every second of it. The service work we did was great and taught me a lot of life skills also. I especially liked when we had contact with the local kids. There were so many things to do in Armenia we were never bored. All the touring places we visited were amazing too,” said Talar Abajian, a high school senior who participated in this year’s program.

“Through the generous support of donors and SERVICE Armenia volunteers, three classrooms were renovated at the Lchashen village school, shoes were distributed to more than 200 students, and a playground w
as created at the Getashen village school for their kindergarten,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation. “In addition, we helped with the GOAL soccer camp in Gyumri, worked at the Debi Arach Children’s Center, and distributed English language literature through our Book-in-a-Bag project to three village schools.”

“I had a great time with Paros this summer, and I’m happy to say that I’m interested in participating next year too,” said Thomas Yocum, 2016 SERVICE Armenia participant.

The Paros Foundation established SERVICE Armenia in 2013 to provide young people between the ages of 17 and 23 with the opportunity to engage in meaningful service work while having fun in Armenia and Artsakh. Applications for SERVICE Armenia 2017 will be available in January on our website www.parosfoundation.org.

About The Paros Foundation

Formally launched in 2006, The Paros Foundation and its staff in Armenia and the United States have earned a reputation as the “go to” organization to oversee small and medium-sized project implementation in Armenia.  Beginning with our support for seven exemplary local non-government organizations working with children, people with disabilities and the arts, the foundation works towards helping build a sustainable and vibrant homeland while improving living conditions for its most vulnerable populations.

With an aggressive goal of identifying, vetting, fundraising for and ultimately implementing 100 special projects, The Paros Foundation launched the Paros 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity in October of 2011 to commemorate the centennial of the Armenian Genocide.  Following the successful completion of this initiative, the Foundation’s leadership agreed to continue operating via this project-based model of philanthropy, and launched the “Paros Projects for Prosperity.”

To facilitate volunteerism, The Paros Foundation launched its SERVICE Armenia program in 2013. This Armenia-based service program  provides participants an opportunity to travel to, and experience all that Armenia has to offer while helping make a difference.

Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  The Foundation underwrites100% of administrative costs allowing all donor contributions to be allocated directly to the projects.

To learn more about the Paros Foundation or its projects or to sponsor a project of the Paros Foundation’s Projects for Prosperity initiative, please visit www.parosfoundation.org or call (310) 400-9061.