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The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative and overhead costs allowing 100% of all donor contributions to go directly towards projects and supported organizations.

Donations to The Paros Foundation Projects for Prosperity are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. To sponsor a project through The Paros Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 organization (Tax ID 20-5094630), or learn more about specific projects in need of funding, please contact us using the information below.

Contacts

2217 5th Street

Berkeley CA 94710

info@parosfoundation.org

(310) 400 9061

Paros Blog
March 12, 2023

SERVICE Armenia 2023 Application Deadline Extended!

June 24th – July 15th, 2023
Ages 17-22

This trip will be three weeks with the same programming as past years. Participants aged 17-23 will serve, tour, and play in Armenia. Participant fees are $2,250 per person including a $400 charitable contribution, not including airfare.

Deadline to apply extended to March 31st!

SERVICE Armenia Application

If you have any questions about our SERVICE Armenia 2023 program please call Peter Abajian, Executive Director at (310) 400-9061 or contact him via email pabajian@gmail.com. For flight inquiries, please contact Shake at SIMA Tours SimaTours@gmail.com

By Narine
Press Releases
March 9, 2023

Finally, A Gym For Abovyan School #8

Since Soviet time, children at Abovyan’s School #8 did not have a gym for their physical education. The gym at the school had a leaky roof, broken windows and no heat. This made the facility too dangerous for students to use. Physical Education classes were held in regular classrooms and limited to individual sports or simple exercise. On February 20th, the newly renovated gym was officially opened thanks to the efforts of The Paros Foundation and supporter Seda Melkoni.

“Thanks to the leadership of Seda Melkoni, and her circle of supporters, this large gym project which will serve almost 500 students is now a reality. Together with her supporters, we have now completed the renovation of three of the six building’s roofs and now this large L-shaped gymnasium.”
-Peter Abajian, Executive Director

While the work on the medical center was completed in September of 2022—and the staff began work at the new center–the official ribbon cutting was delayed until mid-February because of the September attack on Armenia by Azerbaijan.
Before
After

During the opening celebration, Lusine Baghdasaryan, Principal of the school spoke about the challenges of not having a gym for students to use. She praised the work of The Paros Foundation work crew and staff, contributions from the Kotayk Regional Governor’s office and Abovyan Municipality. Students performed an exhibition of dance, song, gymnastics and martial arts for the guests.

The renovation of the gymnasium included the installation of a new ceiling, new smaller (energy efficient) windows, new electrical system and lighting, new heating system, new doors and the restoration of the flooring. New safety netting was installed throughout to protect the ceiling and windows from breakage. In addition to the renovation work overseen by The Paros Foundation, the Kotayk Regional Government provided funding for the new windows and the Municipality of Abovyan provided new sporting equipment for the school’s use. This work was all made possible through the support of the Berejikian and Melkonian Families with a special thanks to ELSO Foundation and donations in memory of Sogomon Dordulian.
By Narine
Newsletters
February 28, 2023

This Month at The Paros Foundation – February 2023

Abovyan School #8 Gym Opening
We are so excited to announce that the Abovyan School #8 gym is now complete! A huge thank you to Seda Melkoni for leading the charge on raising funds for these renovations, and a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to making this a reality. The students and families can now enjoy many extracurricular activities in their new facilities for years to come! Learn more here.

Akunk Medical Center Opening
The Paros Foundation completed the reconstruction of this partially renovated facility with the support of Mr. Alex Cherchian (TX-USA), installing the center’s heating system, completing the plaster and painting, installing flooring throughout and completing the plumbing systems and bathroom. Learn more here.

Aquaponics On The Border Training
Facing the challenges of limited water, limited access to land, and the challenges of weather, an aquaponic growing system for food is a perfect solution for border communities. Participants were sent to trainings to learn more about the operation and management of the aquaponics system in anticipation of our launch in the near future. Learn more here.

Medz Masrik Nurse’s Room Opening
We are excited to announce that the Nurse’s room at the Medz Masrik School is now open! Thank you to Audrey Bogosian, SERVICE Alumni for supporting this important effort!

Med-Aid Armenia 2023 Dates Announced
Med-Aid Armenia is back again this summer from June 19th – June 29th, 2023! Join our medical group as they make an impact throughout Armenia through medical exams, research, and more! This trip is open to all medical professionals and medical students. Please reach out here for more information.

SERVICE Armenia 2023
For the past ten years, The Paros Foundation has provided a space for youth from around the world to experience Armenia in extraordinary ways. With a focus on service, this trip provides participants with a deeper connection to Armenia and its people. The trip will take place from June 24th-July 15th for participants ages 17-23. Apply here.

Stay tuned for our newest episode coming out tomorrow! In this episode, we interview Teny Avakian, CEO of GOALS, Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer, to learn more about life for girls in villages throughout Armenia and how sports is now an integral part of instilling a strong female future for Armenia.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or Amazon.

 

 

The # of days Artsakh has been blockaded by Azerbaijan

By Narine
Press Releases
February 17, 2023

Akunk Village Now Has A Medical Center For Its Residents

The Gegharkunik Region village of Akunk has a new medical center thanks to the work of The Paros Foundation through the benefactor Mr. Alex Cherchian (SC-USA). Prior to the completion of this new center, the medical staff worked to address the needs of more than 4,500 people in this community from a room in the nearby village school.

“The fact that Akunk did not have a dedicated medical center space with sanitary conditions to adequately service its population was a huge program. I would like to extend our appreciation to Mr. Alex Cherchian and his family for sponsoring this important project.”
-Peter Abajian, Executive Director

Paros Staff, Akunk Medical Center Staff, Tavush Regional Deputy Governor, Akunk Village Representative and Head of the Vardenis Consolidated Community celebrate the opening of the Akunk Medical Center.

While the work on the medical center was completed in September of 2022—and the staff began work at the new center–the official ribbon cutting was delayed until mid-February because of the September attack on Armenia by Azerbaijan.

In 2020, the Regional Government of Gegharkunik partially renovated the facility, but never completed the work. The Paros Foundation installed the center’s heating system, completed the plaster and painting, installed flooring throughout and completed the plumbing systems and bathroom. Now the center is fully equipped with a laboratory, restroom, patient exam rooms and administrative offices.

By Narine
Press Releases
February 10, 2023

Nerkin Tsaghkavan Gets A Kindergarten After 32 Years

Families in the Tavush border village of Nerkin Tsaghkavan did not have a functioning kindergarten since Armenia’s Independence in 1991. Thanks to the efforts of The Paros Foundation and the sponsorship of many generous donors including the Dadourian Foundation (NY-USA) and contributions in memory of Sona Apelian (CA-USA) this community and its children will now enjoy the benefits of early education. Joining Paros staff for the ribbon cutting were Tavush Regional Governor Mr. Hayk Ghalumyan, Head of the Ijevan Consolidated Community Mr. Artur Chagharyan, other regional and municipal officials, kindergarten staff, parents and children, along with staff from Focus on Children Now, who provided furniture for the kindergarten.

“Today is an amazing day for the more than 500 residents of Nerkin Tsaghkavan. Not only will children and their families benefit from the existence of a functioning kindergarten in the village, but new employment opportunities now exist for people in this community.”
-Peter Abajian, Executive Director

Head of the Ijevan Consolidated Community Mr. Artur Chagharyan and Paros Executive Director Peter Abajian cut the ribbon on the new kindergarten in the village of Nerkin Tsaghkavan.
The community of Nerkin Tsaghkavan provided an abandoned building that would be suitable to house a kindergarten for up to 30 children. The Paros Foundation’s team both expanded and reconfigured the space to facilitate its operation as a kindergarten. Aside from expanding the facility, work on the building included installing a new roof, new windows, plumbing, electrical, plaster, paint and flooring. To help make the heating system particularly efficient, an under floor hot water heating system was utilized.
By Narine
Newsletters
January 31, 2023

This Month at The Paros Foundation – January 2023

Mobile Dental Clinic
For years our mobile dental clinic and our dedicated staff of professionals, have tended to the dental needs and oral hygiene of hundreds of thousands of children in various locations throughout Armenia. With your generous support, our work toward the future will continue. Learn more and donate here.

Nerkin Tsaghkavan Kindergarten Opening
The community of Nerkin Tsaghkavan in Armenia’s Tavush Region has not had a working kindergarten for the last 32 years. Thanks to the generous support of many donors including the Dadourian Foundation, The Paros Foundation rebuilt and expanded a building in the community to house the new kindergarten. Paros, Focus on Children Now, the Tavush Regional Government and the Consolidated Community of Ijevan joined forces to make this dream for the community of Nerkin Tsaghkavan a reality!

Med-Aid Armenia 2023 Dates Announced
Med-Aid Armenia is back again this summer from June 19th – June 29th, 2023! Join our medical group as they make an impact throughout Armenia through medical exams, research, and more! This trip is open to all medical professionals and medical students. Please reach out here for more information.

SERVICE Armenia 2023
For the past ten years, The Paros Foundation has provided a space for youth from around the world to experience Armenia in extraordinary ways. With a focus on service, this trip provides participants with a deeper connection to Armenia and its people. The trip will take place from June 24th-July 15th for participants ages 17-23. Apply here.

First Trip To Armenia in 2023
Executive Director Peter Abajian is in Armenia for his first trip of 2023. On the agenda for this trip, Abajian will be visiting project sites currently under construction, The Debi Arach Children’s Center and the recently completed and opened kindergarten expansion in Verishen, and following up with the implementation of our High-Tech educational project with schools. In addition, we are looking forward to the ribbon cuttings at several project sites including the Akunk Medical Center, the nurses’ station at the Medz Masrik School, the newly built and expanded kindergarten in Nerkin Tsaghkavan and the Gym at School #8 in Abovyan! New project development is also part of the plan.

Stay tuned for our newest episode coming out tomorrow! In this episode, we interview Dr. Krirkor Deramerian, Pediatrician and Med Aid Armenia leader, about medical missions to Armenia, the medical landscape of the country, and the future of medicine in Armenia. Listen to the two-part episode on Wednesday, February 1st!

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or Amazon.

 

 

The # of people continuing to be blockaded in Artsakh by Azerbaijan.

By Narine
Press Releases
January 10, 2023

Verishen Villagers Welcome Newly Expanded & Renovated Kindergarten

The Syunik border village of Verishen has a newly expanded and completely renovated kindergarten thanks to the work of The Paros Foundation through the support of The Cherchian Family Foundation (Wisconsin, USA). Celebrating the gala reopening of the kindergarten on December 25 were the Syunik Regional Governor, Mr. Robert Ghukasyan, the Mayor of Goris Mr. Arush Arushanyan, other regional and municipal officials, kindergarten staff, parents and children. The Paros Foundation staff were also on-hand for the ribbon cutting and festivities, along with staff from Focus on Children Now, who provided new furniture for the expanded kindergarten.

“I am very proud of the fact that we were able to meet the needs of the young families in this growing community by both expanding the kindergarten building, which will allow them to launch two new groups and renovate the balance of the structure to ensure these children will begin their education in a clean, safe and comfortable environment. I would like to extend our appreciation to Mr. Ara Cherchian and his family for sponsoring this important project.”
-Peter Abajian, Executive Director
During the September 2022 attacks on Armenia by Azerbaijan, the village of Verishen, which is adjacent to Goris, had four homes in the village of 2,200 people hit by mortar attacks, including one home almost adjacent to the kindergarten. Even though Verishen shares a border with Azerbaijan, this community is steadfast in its commitment to living in this village and has outgrown its kindergarten with 90 children. Now, following its expansion and renovation, more than 150 children from Verishen and other neighboring communities will be able to attend.
The gala ribbon cutting was celebrated throughout the Verishen community.
Work began in the fall of 2021 with the expansion of the kindergarten by almost an additional 1,700 square feet. This allowed the kindergarten to launch two additional classrooms for an additional 60 children. The existing structure was then completely renovated including classrooms, bathrooms, hallways, stairwell, kitchen, and offices. The Municipality of Goris also participated in this project addressing the building’s façade, which is now painted in colorful, happy colors for the children.
By Narine
Newsletters
December 30, 2022

This Month at The Paros Foundation – December 2022

Verishen Kindergarten Opening
The large kindergarten in this village needed both to be enlarged and fully renovated. On December 25, governmental officials, including Goris Mayor Arush Arushanyan and Syunik Region Governor Robert Ghukasyan, joined our team for the gala ribbon cutting. Now more than 150 children will be able to enjoy the benefits of early education. Furniture for this project was provided by our friends and partners at Focus on Children Now. Learn more here.

Abovyan Gym Nearing Completion
Thanks to the ongoing efforts of Paros friend and supporter, Seda Melkoni, work continues on the Abovyan School #8. Following a multi-year effort to replace and repair the roofs over several of the buildings on the school’s campus, earlier this year our team launched the full reconstruction of the school’s gym. The staff, children and parents at the school are eagerly anticipating the completion of this project in the coming weeks. Learn more here.

Aquaponics Farming on the Border
Construction on the greenhouse is complete and now our crew is building the stone building that will house the equipment. As construction gets closer to completion, we will begin hiring staff and training them on the processes that drive this technologically advanced farming method. Soon children from the school in this village will add aquaponics to their existing fruit tree orchard and bee keeping curriculum. Learn more here.

Support High Tech Learning for Children
We have launched a new program to help provide both hardware and education for students in schools to help them familiarize themselves with drones (quadcopters), their use, repair, and their programming. Piggybacking on the curriculum currently being taught including programming, 3-D printing, and modeling at many schools and children’s centers across Armenia, we will be closely working to augment schools and children’s centers with the hardware and teaching support they need for this important effort. Donate now by clicking here.

Hianali Successfully Ends 2022
The Hianali Beauty Center and vocational training program ended the year with a bang! If you needed our salon services, you needed to make an appointment well in advance prior to the new year’s celebrations. Our most recent group of graduates received their completion certificates from our Staff and celebrated their accomplishments. As a fun contest for our student’s parents at Debi Arach, a drawing was held and several lucky winners received free salon services prior to the end of the new year.

Already listen to all the great podcasts? Give ours a listen for interesting perspectives on Armenia, terrific guests and a bit about Paros and our work. Listen to our latest episode where we dive into what is happening in Armenia and how its people are being affected.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or Amazon.

 

 

Benefited from Paros Foundation projects in 2022.

By Narine
Paros Blog
December 23, 2022

SERVICE Armenia 2023 Application is Now Live !

June 24th – July 15th, 2023

This trip will be three weeks with the same programming as past years. Participants aged 17-23 will serve, tour, and play in Armenia. Participant fees are $2,250 per person including a $400 charitable contribution, not including airfare.

SERVICE Armenia Application

If you have any questions about our SERVICE Armenia 2023 program please call Peter Abajian, Executive Director at (310) 400-9061 or contact him via email pabajian@gmail.com.

By Narine
Newsletters
December 2, 2022

The Month at The Paros Foundation – November 2022

Year End Campaign
Our 2022 end-of-year campaign features the construction of a building in Gyumri that will be suitable for 16 residential apartments and has an additional 6,000 square feet that Paros will use to open a second branch of its Debi Arach Children’s Center, additional vocational training programs, and/or a second social enterprise. Learn more and donate here.

Three Artsakh Families Get New Homes
Our team was in Artsakh to move three additional families who were displaced by the 2020 war into their newly reconstructed homes, bringing the total to five families in Artsakh that have received new homes. While in Artsakh, our team also signed a memorandum of understanding with the government on the construction of a kindergarten in the village of Maghavuz. Learn more here.

Aquaponics Farming on the Border
Through our Aygepar Incubator, we have won a $53,000 grant from the Austrian Development Agency to install a 1,760 sq. ft. greenhouse along with a control building to house an aquaponic growing system in the village of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur. The system will be housed in a 160 square meter controlled environment greenhouse. Learn more here.

SERVICE Armenia Young Professionals ’22
The second annual SA Young Professionals trip took place from October 14-October 30th. Participants toured the country, volunteered with various projects, and made lifelong friends throughout the two weeks. Volunteer days included renovations at Talin Music School, Paruyr Sevak Kindergarten, and teaching at Debi Arach. Stay tuned for updates on SERVICE Armenia Young Professionals ’23!

Piligian Family visits Paruyr Sevak
Paros donors and friends, The Piligian family, were in Armenia visiting their project in the Paruyr Sevak Village. With the help of the Piligian family, we have been able to renovate this school in phases, providing a safe and clean environment for the students to learn. Learn more here.

Tourism In Armenia with Shake Derderian
Our latest episode of Pari Louys With Paros explores tourism in Armenia and how it has evolved with special guest Shake Derderian from SIMA Tours!

Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or Amazon.

 

 

The amount of money raised since The Paros Foundation formally started in 2006.
Learn more here.

By Narine