Matching Challenge for Getahovit School
Description
Getahovit is a village just outside of Ijevan in Armenia’s Tavush Region. This community is home to more than 2,000 residents. Getahovit’s school is in terrible condition and needs a complete renovation.
The school was built in 1971 and serves 250 children in the first to twelfth grades. The community of Getahovit and the school’s leadership has tried to maintain the school the best they can given their extremely limited resources. However, crumbling plaster, lack of heating and non-functioning bathrooms make for a terrible environment for these children to learn. To properly renovate the school, this large project will be addressed in phases. Firstly, the school needs to have a functioning heating system prior to the start of winter. This effort, combined with the repair of the school’s roof, changing of the balance of old windows and the start of renovations one of the school’s wings including classrooms and bathrooms will serve as a huge source of inspiration for this community.
To kick off this important project, Hovhannes Mardirossian and his wife Anahit, whose mother taught at the school for 45 years, have announced a matching challenge grant for phase one renovations. For every dollar raised towards this effort, they will contribute a matching amount up to $25,000 for a total of $50,000 for phase one!
Region
Tavush
City / Village
Getahovit
Start Date
Immediately
End Date
Three Months
Gallery Images
The Need
The village school in Getahovit is in very poor overall condition despite the fact that more than 250 children attend. The most immediate need is to replace broken heating system prior to the start of winter.
Short Term Impact
In the short term, the most immediate need is to replace the school’s boilers to provide heat for the school prior to winter. The 250 students will immediately benefit from the new heating system. As the renovations progress, workers’ salaries and material purchases will benefit the local economy.
Long Term Impact
In the longer term, the entire village of Getahovit will benefit from having a school that meets modern safety and comfort standards. The school’s environment will inspire students and staff for years to come.
Sponsors Benefits
Sponsors of this important project will be listed on The Paros Foundation website, in appropriate press, and on a plaque installed at school. Visits to the school can be arranged for donors visiting Armenia.
MP
Mr. George Piligian
Fort Lee, NJMG
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick & Mary Goshtigian
Hermosa Beach, CAMI
Mr. Eddie Istanbul
Morristown, NJMK
Mr. & Mrs. Larry & Denise Kaprielian
Huntington Beach, CAMA
Ms. Marine Arakelians
San Bruno, CAMG
Mr. Hovhannes Mardirossian & Mrs. Anahit Ghazaryan
Hackensack, NJMP
Mr. George Piligian
Fort Lee, NJMH
Ms. Victoria Hovanessian
Fort Lee, NJUpdates: Images & Information
October 8, 2021
Work began today to build a new boiler room to house the new boilers for the school as the old boilers are no longer working and beyond repair, and winter will be here soon.Â
November 24, 2021
The new boilers have been successfully installed and tested. Â This will allow the school to be heated. Â A portion of the school's radiators were changed as part of this emergency work. Â The rest of the school's pipes and radiators will be changed as soon as funding is raised. Â
August 11, 2022
The rest of the school has now been equipped with new piping and radiators for its heating system.
September 8, 2022
Work at school is going well with renovations now complete for the Chemistry Lab and the addition of new office space.
September 12, 2022
Everyone at the Getahovit School was so excited to welcome Mr. & Mrs. Hovhannes & Anahit Mardirossian who visited the chemistry lab and toured the rest of the school. The work at the school was made possible through the generosity and match provided by the Mardirossians and their family & friends.