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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.

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(310) 400 9061

Fuel Through Firewood: Gyumri

Description

Gyumri is Armenia’s second largest city with the poorest population, including single mothers and the elderly. Following the devastating 1988 Spitak Earthquake, in which more than 25,000 people lost their lives and more than 100,000 people were left homeless, Gyumri’s residents did whatever they could to find temporary shelter. This included moving into “domiks,” the overseas shipping containers in which earthquake related humanitarian goods were shipped to Armenia. 30 years following the earthquake, about 2,200 poverty stricken families remain in various forms of temporary housing. In addition to inadequate housing, unemployment and rampant poverty, Gyumri’s people are also faced with extreme winters, with January and February being the coldest months.
The harsh winters and extreme poverty lead to people picking through trash to find something that they can burn to keep warm and cook food for their families. Due to the intense cold weather and toxic fumes, children often get sick and are unable to attend school.

This effort will ensure that 300 families in Gyumri will receive fuel for heating and cooking through firewood for month’s period. Our partner for this project, the Shirak Center NGO, will help distribute the firewood to the families as funds are raised.

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Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

November 2018
$13,100 of $14,500 raised
$
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Donation Total: $100 One Time

Gallery Images

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Families in Gyumri scavenge for twigs and trash to try and stay warm.
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Shirak Center staff prepares firewood for distribution to families in need.
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Impoverished families depend on firewood distributions from the Shirak Center to help them stay warm and cook.
The Need
Freezing temperatures and extreme poverty have created a humanitarian crisis in Gyumri’s “Domik” neighborhoods. About 1,800 families live in “domiks,” while about 400 live in condemned buildings leaving them no choice but to burn anything they can for heat. Toxic fumes bellow from smoke stacks as residents burn trash, plastic bottles and old shoes in an effort to stay warm and cook a simple meal for their families. The extreme cold coupled with the toxic fumes contributes to children become sick and not attending school.
Short Term Impact
As many families as funding permits will receive fuel in the form of firewood to help them get through the winter. The fuel from the firewood can be used for heating and cooking for a month. All humanitarian materials will be purchased in Armenia, thus providing a boost to the local economy.
Long Term Impact
By providing a less toxic and more reliable form of heating, it is hopeful there will be less illness among the communities. This will help children keep up with their studies and not have to miss school due to colds and sicknesses. Additionally, Paros is hopeful that press materials related to this project will lead to greater public awareness of this problem and thus a broad based approach to solving this crisis.
Sponsors Benefits
Project sponsors will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website and in all press materials related to this project.
Anonymous User
MN

Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth & Cynthia Norian

Beverly Hills, CA December 25, 2022
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DO

Dr. Aram Adourian & Dr. Anna Ohanyan

Concord, MA December 22, 2022
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MK

Ms. Marine Kombajyan

CA, United States
In Honor Of Eliza Dzhaneryan's Birthday January 3, 2022
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Mr. Robert Haig

La Jolla, CA December 17, 2021
Anonymous User
MM

Ms. Armine Martikyan

United States
In Honor Of Eliza Dzhaneryan's Birthday December 6, 2021
Anonymous User
MF

Mr. & Mrs. Armen Hairapetian & Family

Pasadena, CA December 23, 2019
Anonymous User
CF

Clark Family

Kirkland, WA December 11, 2019
Anonymous User
YF

Youredjian Family Charitable Foundation

Los Angeles, CA November 25, 2019
Anonymous User
PN

Prof. Stephen John Newton

United Kingdom October 3, 2019
Anonymous User
SF

Sheridan Family

New York, NY September 24, 2019
Anonymous User
DM

Dr. Shant Markarian

Bethesda, MD April 24, 2019
Anonymous User
ME

Mr. Armen Elliott

PA, United States January 26, 2019
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Updates: Images & Information

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December 3, 2018
December 3, 2018
February 15, 2019
February 15, 2019
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December 3, 2018

Thanks to the generous support from the Hairapetian Family (CA), we were able to support the distribution of firewood to about 65 families for the month of December (2018).

 
February 15, 2019

The Shirak Center staff continues to make regular distributions of firewood and manufactured logs to domik families. Paros Staff visited several families following the distributions to check on the family's wood status.

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