*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.
