Home Rebuild for Suren G.

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur (NKA) is an important border village with a population of approximately 1,100 residents in the Bert area of Armenia’s Tavush Region. This community remains under constant risk of sniper fire and renewed armed conflict. NKA was the single most damaged Armenian village during the Azeri conflict in the 1990’s. The economy of the village and the livelihood of many of its residents have suffered due to these difficult and dangerous conditions. In particular, 70% of their fertile land is unusable because of frequent sniper attacks. Many homes have been heavily damaged over the years and are in need of substantial renovations and repairs, including, indoor plumbing, new windows, doors and floors, roof repairs, new heating systems, and even room additions. NKA is a beneficiary village of the Paros Foundation’s Prosperity on the Border Initiative. With major financial support of Jean-Marie Atamian and his family over the last seven years, much of the village’s infrastructure has been completely rebuilt and improved including, but not limited to, its large secondary school, expanded kindergarten, medical center, emergency services building and water distribution system. In addition, several families have benefited from agribusiness and animal husbandry projects. Having funded the rebuilding of NKA’s infrastructure, the Atamian family is now focusing its attention on the reconstruction of severely damaged houses to provide decent and safe homes for deserving families in the village. In the last year alone, three houses were rebuilt. The fourth major house reconstruction project will benefit the family of Suren G. Suren works as a police officer. His family (wife and three daughters) live in their family’s ancestral home. The home is in very poor condition and will be completely remodeled and rebuilt. The scope of work will include a new roof and underlying structure, a new foundation and exterior wall under part of the home, and a complete interior remodel. Work will take five months to complete and cost $25,000.