*Giving Tuesday* Impact on Vardenis
This year, our year-end campaign focuses on the impact on the vital border community of Vardenis. By improving all parts of this community our goal is to raise the overall well-being of the people who call it home. Join us in uplifting this community in more ways than one this Giving Tuesday!
The Paros Foundation has already resettled 14 refugee families from Artsakh into the Vardenis communities of Meds Masrik and Geghamasar. Soon, two more families will be moved into new homes in the city of Vardenis. With this population growth, we hope to address four immediate needs for this important border community.
The school in Meds Masrik currently has 425 students including 45 from Artsakh, and needs additional renovations to accommodate these new students. We have already helped renovate and equip the computer classroom, the nurse’s station and three additional classrooms, but one additional wing needs a complete renovation. This wing encompasses four additional classrooms and one additional set of bathrooms. Once renovated, these classrooms will house the 4th- 8th grade students. The renovation for this wing will cost $95,000 including a new roof, furniture and heating system.
Elderly refugees from Artsakh have settled into this community and often are lonely and lack meaningful interaction. The community has provided a space to launch an elderly activity center with the partnership of a local charitable organization that is prepared to run the day to day at the center. We hope to raise the funds necessary to renovate this center to both provide elderly refuges and other elderly villagers a place to gather, have a hot meal and engage in meaningful interactions. The budget for the launch of this important project is $69,000.
Humanitarian aid for Artsakh refugee families continues to be an important priority. The Paros Foundation continues to distribute firewood for heating and cooking, clothing, winter boots, and food packs to these families with the generous support of individuals and organizations. As winter is especially cold in these communities, we must continue these distributions of humanitarian relief. Our budget for food, firewood and warm winter clothing is $15,000.
Several more families are hoping to make the community of Vardenis their permanent home. Funding permitting, the Paros team will continue our existing housing resettlement program, which purchases, renovates, furnishes and gives these refugee families 90% ownership in their new homes. The balance of ownership will be transferred to them in 10 years to ensure a stable home for their entire family. The budget to permanently resettle an average family of six people is $35,000, which includes a fully renovated and furnished home, furniture and appliances.
facing overwhelming challenges.
taught me invaluable lessons about compassion, teamwork, and the importance of giving back. SERVICE Armenia is more than just a group providing aid; it is a movement that empowers both the people we serve and those who take part in it. Leading this team required patience, communication, and a deep understanding of the needs of both the volunteers and the families we worked to help.
In the art classroom, the teacher prompted students to draw a dream they have, or something they wish could be reality. Amongst her peers’ drawings of a flying car, a pink elephant, and a half- dog-half-monkey hybrid, Anna drew herself at the top of Mt. Ararat, holding an Armenian flag. She displayed her piece with a smile and sense of pride. At first, a shiver ran down my spine when I saw her work. Then I realized how inspiring it is that the next generation could dream something into reality, reclaiming something so fundamentally Armenian and continuing to push to achieve the goals of generations past.
Regardless of which classroom I was in, the students at Debi Arach intertwined their Armenian identities and individual expression into their work. When they come to the Center, children are able to be themselves and ask the tough questions, play around without fear of judgment, and learn to take pride in who they are. Anna “loves to draw and use pretty colors, and at Debi Arach [she feels she] can do that every day.” The Center gives Sevak “a place to be Armenian.” And it provides Elina and Nara “a place to laugh with friends and have fun.” Debi Arach provides opportunities to children to fully embrace the opportunities of life and enjoy every step along the way of reaching their fullest potential.
The joy on young Samvel’s face when he saw Spiderman on his new backpack and the excitement Ani felt when she discovered the Barbie-themed supplies in store for her made every effort we put into our work feel worthwhile tenfold. The feeling of love and appreciation exuded from the children and their families as a result of our group efforts and left SERVICE participants feeling empowered and inspired by the resiliency of the children of Gyumri. These moments served as powerful reminders of the tangible impact that small acts of kindness can have on a community.
