Lernakert Culture House Renovation

March 7, 2020

CO2 Offset by Planting Trees

Reforestation sites in the Dilijan National Park

Description

My Forest Armenia has partnered with The Paros Foundation for this environmental project. Their main objective it to plant 400.000 trees per year, or about 160 hectares of new forest every year with a mission to help decrease carbon in the atmosphere, sustainably increase forest coverage and preserve biodiversity using numerous endemic species. My Forest Armenia is growing seedlings ready for planting in its nurseries. This project is a reforestation plan of 20 hectares (50 acres) in a degraded area within the Dilijan National Park in the Tavush region. The forest has become degraded in the last 25 years because of illegal logging but mainly because of cow grazing in the pastures nearby. Villagers let their animals enter protected areas of the park and the undergrowth cannot regenerate. The most important part of the project therefore is to put a fence to protect the national park area. We will plant various endemic tree species so as to maintain the rich biodiversity of the park, mainly oak, beech, pine, birch, etc. Density will be 2,000 trees per hectare (800 trees per acre).

Reducing CO2 in the atmosphere is crucial to reduce global warming, planting trees is the best way to achieve this. At 11.2%, Armenia needs desperately to increase its forest coverage (as a comparison, forest coverage in the US is 34%). One cannot stress enough how forests are vitally important for any country, as it lowers temperatures, increase humidity, stops desertification, preserves bio-diversity and so much more. Further, many regions of Armenia are still quite poor. Reforestation in remote regions of Armenia will provide local villagers with a steady income and alleviate poverty.

By planting 30,000 trees and restore 20 hectares of forest, this project will achieve three objectives: reduce CO2 in the atmosphere, restore a beautiful forest area in the Dilijan National Park and, because we are hiring local workers from rural areas to work on the project, we will increase employment and improve the economic conditions in some of the poorest regions of Armenia.

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Dilijan

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

December 2020

CO2 Offset by Planting Trees

$3,250 of $67,500 raised

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This area in Dilijan National Park has lost its forest coverage due to illegal logging and grazing cattle.

My Forest Armenia wishes to plant almost 50 acres of new trees and create barriers to prohibit animals from grazing in this space.

Villager's animals freely graze and create conditions unsuitable for new forest expansion.

The Need

Increasing forests and planting trees is the best way to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere. Furthermore, Armenia needs to increase its forest coverage. Forests are vitally important, as they lower temperatures, prevent soil erosion, increase humidity, etc. Further, reforestation in remote regions of Armenia will provide local villagers with a steady income and alleviate poverty.

Short Term Impact

Local villagers will be hired as reforestation workers with a legal contract during plantation, then part of them will have a longer contract for maintenance.

Long Term Impact

The long-term impact of the project will be to decrease carbon in the atmosphere, increase the forest coverage of Armenia and improve the nature of this attractive mountainous country. It will also improve life in the villages. Local residents will be trained and have new work opportunities, which will contribute to alleviating some poverty as well as empowering them. The villagers will become custodians of the future forests. The forest itself, having a proportion of fruit bearing trees (walnuts, hazelnuts, wild pears, etc.) will provide them with steady income for years to come.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors to this project will be listed on The Paros Foundation website, as well as on the website of My Forest Armenia. Donors who visit Armenia can have a guided visit to one of our nurseries and the reforestation site at the Dilijan National Park.

December 17, 2019

Verin Getashen School Renovation

Conditions in the Verin Getashen school are very bad.

Description

Verin Getashen is a large village located just southwest of Lake Sevan. The village was founded in the early 1800s by migrants from Mush and Alashkert in present day Eastern Turkey. Almost 5,000 people call Verin Getashen their home. More than 300 children attend the school, which is in poor condition. Major needs of the school including replacing the roof, windows and heating system will be addressed as funds become available for this project.

Region

Gegharkunik

City / Village

Verin Getashen

Start Date

August 2019

End Date

August 2020

Verin Getashen School Renovation

$20,000 of $76,000 raised

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Gallery Images

Paros and DSA representatives visit the school in Verin Getashen.

Students in Verin Getashen have no choice but to attend school in deplorable conditions.

The Need

The children in Verin Getashen attend school in very poor conditions. The school is in need of a new roof, new windows and a proper heating system.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, students attending the school will benefit from a safer, more comfortable environment in which to learn. Materials and labor will be purchased locally whenever possible, thus adding to the local economy.

Long Term Impact

In the longer term, once the school improvements have been completed (in phases) the entire community will benefit for years to come with the school providing generations of residents with safe, comfortable and clean surroundings in which to learn.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors will be listed on The Paros Foundation website, on a plaque installed at the school and in all appropriate press related to this important project.

Updates: Images & Information

August 15, 2019

Thanks to the generous support of Developmental Services for Armenia and the Dunaians Family, work on the roof at the school has begun.

September 23, 2019

Work on the roof has been completed.

October 29, 2019

The Dunaian Family visited the school today with Paros Project Manager, Gegham Minasyan. During their visit, they viewed the interior of the school to determine the next steps forward.

February 17, 2020

Work on the kitchen, dining hall and storage room began today. This effort is supported in partnership with support from Developmental Services for Armenia and the municipality of Verin Getashen and materials from the World Food Program.

April 2, 2020

With the subfloor installed and drying, the work at the Verin Getashen School has stopped. Work will begin once the stay at home orders are lifted and it is safe to return to work.

May 1, 2020

With the easing of the stay at home orders, work once again began at the Verin Getashen School's kitchen, cafeteria and storage room.

November 26, 2019

Empowering Young Girls in Gyumri

Description

Nor Luyce aims to provide girls the means to become self-sufficient, healthy, globally aware young women, who have set personal and career goals and who have created an action plan of how to achieve them. Our program was developed to improve self-esteem, self-reliance, and a sense of community and then build on these skills and potential. We believe in empowering teenage girls from orphanages and low-income families to build a community of strong, thoughtful, creative young women who are the future of Armenia.

In order to improve the future and career opportunities for girls from socially disadvantage families and foster cares, we prove a 3-phase, 3-year mentoring program that impacts approximately 60 girls a year. Currently, we are seeking funding for our first phase, which will provide a mentoring to 20 new Nor Luyce beneficiaries, aged 13-14 raising the number from 60 to 80.

Our Mentoring Phase program covers 11 months, during which 20 girls, aged 13-14, from socially vulnerable families and foster care receive mentoring. Each mentor-mentee pair meet approximately 40 times for individual meetings as well as partake in 20 group meetings. During our mentoring phase, we also focus on empowering participants to become active community members through service activities, cultural events, and building leadership through various responsibilities such as presenting information to their peers and other organization members. We also offer tutoring services for any participant who is struggling academically.

In order to decrease the likelihood that girls will be trafficked or married off at a young age, we strive to provide teenagers (13-14 year old) with a positive role model and a strong connection with other girls and prominent community leaders. We focus on career aspirations and how to create the best version of themselves, using the traits, skills, and strengths the participants already have. We also believe, that in order to empower young girls, we need to have a comprehensive approach to their development, as such following the first phase we then focus on skill-building trainings, career development, and offer scholarships for higher education. As of now, we have seventeen girls currently involved in higher education institutions, two more girls have already graduated from colleges and universities and now they work with their profession. On top of these, we have one mentee who graduated from a college which she had to admit because of the inforce of her parents, however, she could find the inner strength to change her profession and pursue the degree that was close to her heart.

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

September 2019

End Date

August 2020

Empowering Young Girls in Gyumri

Thank you to all our donors, we have met our fundraising goal.

Gallery Images

The Need

According to a 2010 UNICEF report, Armenia has 50 institutions that provide “residential care services” to children in the nation. Of the 4,902 children in the system, 3,823 live in residential care. These institutions lack the personnel responsible for emotional, personal, and professional development. At institutions specifically designated as “orphanages” the ration is an abysmal 1:20. Under these circumstances, the socio-economic outcomes for adults who grow up in the orphanage system are grim. Children living in orphanages generally experience different behavioral problems, are fearful, feel despair, insecurity, and high anxiety level. The children lack a number of life skills to engage effectively in the social and academic world. Because of lack of adult care, our youth have difficulty in regulating with their behavior and emotions. Situations for the young women are more challenging; they face gender-based discrimination in a male dominated and conservative society.

Short Term Impact

All goals will be met in an ongoing fashion, throughout the ten-month program.

• 20 mentees will partake in at least 30 one-on-one meetings with their mentors

• 20 mentees will take part
in at least 10 group meetings focusing on various life skills such as moving from dreams to reality, conflict resolution, stress management, etc.

• All 20 mentor-mentee pairs will complete at least one community service activity

• All the Mentoring Phase mentees (20 girls) will take part in at least 10 overall group meetings focused on creating a global perspective on issues such as different cultures, human rights, government, etc.

• All mentees (80 mentees) will take part in at least one international event such as International Women’s Day, International Human Rights Day, etc.

• 20 Mentors will take part in prementoring and on-going mentoring trainings to provide better services to the mentees.

• 30 mentees will meet a number of well-known and successful people in Armenia who will share the key to their success. As a result of the meetings mentees will experience:
– Increase in academic performance by the end of program year

– Increase time management skills

– Creation of a career plan with short and long term goals of each mentee

– All 20 mentees will create a presentation and lead a group discussion

Long Term Impact

In the long-term participants will continue onto Nor Luyce’s other two phases and become a more well-rounded, active, and confident individual.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsor will be recognized on both the Nor Luyce and The Paros Foundation websites, social media sites and in all appropriate press related to this project. Donors will also be mentioned in the Nor Luyce e-newsletter and be given regular progress reports on the girl’s progress as well as thank you e-mails.

Updates: Images & Information

July 1, 2020

2019-2020 program year was both challenging and exciting. In spite of the pandemic, these 10 months were full of both in-person and online meetings. As a result, 638 individual mentoring meetings, 13 pre-mentoring, and 6 on-going mentoring trainings for the mentors took place conducted by not only Gyumri professionals, but also trainers from Yerevan, San Francisco, Columbia State University, and more. There has also been 10 mentoring group meetings, 27 career planning meetings and 11 program-wide group meetings. Moreover, the mentees had a chance to meet with 10 guest speakers from Gyumri, Yerevan, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Beirut. All the mentees of the Skill-Building Phase could finalize the career plans that will guide them throughout their high school years. This year is also highlighted by our Alumni group taking initiative and organizing a series of group meetings to discuss women who motivate them.

July 10, 2020

A special birthday wish from Maroosh: For my birthday this year, I’m asking for donations to Nor Luyce Mentoring Center in Gyumri, Armenia. I’ve chosen this NGO because it brings together everything I care deeply about: education, young women and Armenia. Funds will be used to provide staff for mentor-training, and will help establish phase 2 of the teacher-training English program at the center, designed by Eileen Adamian. Eileen is a faculty member at City College of San Francisco. During her sabbatical, she established an English language resource center at the local library in Gyumri. In her own words, “I thought about ways to create a bridge so that those resources at the library are optimally utilized, and I have concluded that there is no better place to channel that than with Nor Luyce, an impactful mentoring program for young girls in Gyumri.” She is now launching a work-study program for university students to teach at Nor Luyce. This teacher-training program will provide funded internships and classroom space to student-teachers while also providing them learning opportunities to improve their teaching methodologies with mentor teachers based in the U.S. This is a program with a lot of potential for future generations of teachers (in Armenia), for the young girls who attend Nor Luyce, and it has promising ramifications for the City of Gyumri. I hope you join me in supporting these remarkable efforts. Maroush Dekermenjian

November 2, 2019

Stepanavan School #2 Improvement

Stepanavan St. Gregory The Illuminator School #2 Improvement Project

The current gas heating system and old windows is unsafe and inefficient at the Stepanavan School

Description

The town of Stepanavan is located in Armenia’s northern portion of the Lori Region. More than 10,000 people live in this ancient town. Stepanavan can trace it earliest settlements to the 4th century. Stepanavan was devastated by the 1988 earthquake including losing one of its primary schools. The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church raised the funds to build a new school for the children in Stepanavan. Vartkes Barsam, a philanthropist and active member of the Armenian community of Los Angeles served as project manager and oversaw the construction. The school was opened on 2003 and has served more than 525 children per year since. While the school has been well maintained, it is time to address some of the larger needs of the school starting with the heating system, school windows, bathrooms and to create a kitchen and dining hall. Following these important capital improvements, the balance of the school will receive a cosmetic renovation including new lighting and a fresh coat of paint.

A new boiler room will be built adjacent to the school and two large capacity boilers will be installed to heat new radiators throughout the school (which also have to be installed.) New windows throughout the school will also be installed to improve the efficiency of the overall heating of the school. This phase of work will cost the following:

$6,000 Construction of a new boiler room.
$95,000 Installation of two new boilers, pipes and radiators throughout the three floors of the school.
$44,000 Installation of 540 square meters of new double pain windows throughout the school.

Region

Lori / Լոռի

City / Village

Stepanavan / Ստեփանավան

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

Four months from start date

Stepanavan School #2 Improvement

$201,025 of $325,000 raised

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Peter Abajian, Paros Executive Director visited the school to inspect the conditions and solidify the scope of work to be done.

The old water distribution system throughout the school also needs to be redone.

The bathrooms at the Stepanavan school need to be renovated and modernized.

The Need

School #2 in Stepanavan serves more than 525 children. The school needs a new heating system and new windows to help provide a safe and comfortable environment for the children in which to learn.

Short Term Impact

In the near term, more than 525 children and the school’s staff will enjoy a safer and more comfortable learning environment. The local economy will benefit with locals labor and materials utilized whenever possible.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, thousands of children and staff will benefit from the renovations completed at the school. Because of better heating, the school will better accommodate a variety of after school programming for the children in the colder winter months.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors of this project will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website, on a plaque at the Stepanavan St. Gregory The Illuminator School #2, and in appropriate press related to this important project. Visits can be arranged to Stepanavan for sponsors during their visits to Armenia.

Updates: Images & Information

October 18, 2018

Diane Barsam visited the school with Paros Project Manager, Gegham Minasyan to discuss the school's needs and to formalize plans for future assistance.

August 12, 2019

With enough funding available to replace all of the exterior windows, work began on removing and replacing all of the windows.

September 12, 2019

Work on all of the exterior window replacement is complete and minor temporary repairs were made to the walls around the new windows until such time that funding is available for the school's interior remodel. The next effort will be to replace the school's heating system.

May 9, 2019

Jobs for People w/Disabilities

Jobs for People with Disabilities

Unison has placed hundreds of people with disabilities into meaningful employment opportunities.

Description

Unison NGO for Support of People with Special Needs is a leading organization advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Armenia. With the mission to achieve full inclusion for its beneficiaries, the organization regularly designs and implements grant-funded projects and other activities aimed at improving physical accessibility and access to information, promoting PWDs’ placement in gainful employment, fostering inclusive education, enhancing coordination and cooperation between disability-oriented organizations and other initiatives aimed at improved general well-being and social, cultural and economic integration of PWDs. With 17 years of experience in the field, Unison has achieved recognition as a top advocacy organization.

Most importantly, these individuals are working in an inclusive environment, so this is not a case of sheltered employment. Currently, Unison has started a promising cooperation with a diamond-processing business whose owners are willing to employ as many as 20-25 PWDs. They are now making their facilities accessible and Unison provides advice on how to make the adaptations correctly and cost-effectively. Unison is also recruiting suitable applicants for submission to the HR department of this business. Several other initiatives are also underway. Your quick action and support will allow Unison to successfully complete this year’s project and create more opportunities for job seekers with disabilities.

Region

Throughout Armenia

City / Village

All

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

One Year

Jobs for People w/Disabilities

$250 of $4,000 raised

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Armenia's Ministry of Emergency Situations has several people with disabilities employed thanks to the efforts of the Unison NGO.

There is no limit to what a person with a disability can accomplish.

The Need

One of the most important on-going projects of Unison is promotion of employment for PWDs. However, in January 2019 Unison was suddenly deprived of the state support for this project. In spite of the absence of government and/orgrant support, Unison has continued serving young job seekers with disabilities. 9 PWDs have been placed to jobs since the beginning of the year, but needs the balance of funding to continue this important work through the end of the year.

Short Term Impact

In the near term, Unison’s efforts to help secure employment for PWDs will continue.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, because of Unison’s work, PWDs will continue to work, support their families and become contributing members of society. In addition, PWD in the work force will significantly contribute to a change in perceptions and bias toward PWDs.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors to this project will be listed on The Paros Foundation website, Unison’s website and in any appropriate press related to this important project. Visitors to Armenia can visit this project.

April 4, 2019

Food, Hygiene & Medical Support for Warm Hearth

The backyard of the Warm Hearth home in Yerevan's Third Village.

Description

Warm Hearth Foundation (Jermik Ankyun) provides long-term community-based and holistic care in a small group home setting to adults with severe mental disabilities or illnesses who have graduated from special state institutions. At Warm Hearth residents have access to food, medicine, basic necessities, holistic care that they deserve, rehabilitation opportunities, love, support and safety. The hope is that they will be able to re-enter mainstream community life slowly but surely. In the course of its activities, Warm Hearth provides psycho-medical assistance to its residents, which requires daily intake of medication and psychological therapies. This support is deemed medically necessary to sustain mental and emotional stability and the physical well-being of their residents. Warm Hearth spends almost 10% of its annual operating budget on helping its residents with medical care and therapy.

Sponsorship of this project will help Warm Hearth with expenses related to food and hygiene and to help their residents receive the required psychological and medical interventions that are crucial to ensure their well-being. Due to various mental, physical and developmental disorders the residents receive psycho medical assistance to prevent further deterioration of heath related conditions. This proposed project includes the following items:

• First aid medicine
• Individually prescribed medication based on the needs of each resident
• Psychotropic medication based on a doctor’s prescription
• Individual psychological therapy with a specialized psychiatrist

Furthermore, including caregiver’s time spent in the kitchen, Warm Hearth spends $36,000/year for 30 residents (between three locations) on food and hygiene. That is about $1200/year per resident, $100/month per resident, or $25/week.

Region

Yerevan

City / Village

Third Village

Start Date

January 2021

End Date

Food, Hygiene & Medical Support for Warm Hearth

$15,920 of $45,000 raised

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Gallery Images

Nutritious meals are a part of the holistic approach taken at Warm Hearth.

Working together to prepare dinner at Warm Hearth.

Working together and helping each other with daily tasks.

The Need

Given the residents’ permanent disability status, they receive the majority of their medical care from the government. However, the Armenian government only provides specific medications that they have on hand (they do not provide money to purchase necessary medications). The medications that they have on hand are not always therapeutic for the residents. If a resident needs a medication or procedure outside the provisions of the Armenian government, Warm Hearth is responsible for that payment. Furthermore, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs will no longer support Warm Hearth financially for food & hygiene expenses, as a majority of their funds will be used for refugee support and post-war costs.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, residents will regularly be able to receive the medical support they need, food and hygienic supplies. Warm Hearth will better be able to meet the needs of all of its program areas through this important financial support.

Long Term Impact

The proposed project will support the health, nutrition and well being of the Warm Hearth residents so that they are capable of living a full, meaningful and pain-free life as much as possible. All the aforementioned medications and psychological therapies improve the quality life of residents and treat their respective diagnoses. The proposed project has a holistic and complex approach through providing the required main components of health care at Warm Hearth. As a result of the complex approach the health conditions and wellbeing of the residents will become manageable and improved.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors of this project will be listed on The Paros Foundation and the Warm Hearth websites, on the Warm Heath Facebook on a quarterly basis and in the quarterly newsletter to the international donor base, and in any press related to this important project. Visits to the home can be arranged for sponsors and their families during visits to Armenia.

March 28, 2019

Varagavan Kindergarten and Multipurpose Room Renovation

The kindergarten in Varagavan needs a complete renovation.

Description

Inadequate infrastructure left over from Soviet times has created unbearable conditions for families to live, learn and work in many villages throughout Armenia. Many of the husbands and fathers in these communities, especially in the Tavush Region, are heroes–serving as contract soldiers protecting our borders in their villages– while others work as seasonal migrant workers in Russia. Prosperity and our Nation’s security go hand in hand.

As part of the Paros Foundation’s Prosperity on the Border initiative, The Foundation has identified the kindergarten in the village of Varagavan as a needed infrastructure improvement project. Varagavan Village has 223 households with a population total of 713 people, 39 of which are children of school age and 67 children of pre-school age. Varagavan has a kindergarten comprised of 19 children and employs four adults. Other organizations implemented partial renovations to the kindergarten in 2004, mainly to the section they currently use, but the majority of the building including roof repairs remains unmet.

The kindergarten currently serves 19 children, and will have 29 in September. Once renovated the municipality is ready to fund the attendance of an additional 20 students. Sponsorship of this project will help renovate the kindergarten building and create a multipurpose room suitable for the use by the entire village. Repairs need to be made to the roof, floor, kitchen and bathroom. In addition, an outdoor playground will be installed for the childrens’ use.

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Varagavan

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

Four Months from Start Date

Varagavan Kindergarten and Multipurpose Room Renovation

$79,215 of $80,100 raised

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Gallery Images

The kitchen in the kindergarten in Varagavan provides daily meals for the children despite its limitations.

The kindergarten in Varagavan is currently heated with wood, which is both dangerous and insufficient.

Most of the kindergarten building in Varagavan needs a complete renovation.

The renovation of additional classrooms and a multipurpose room will facilitate the inclusion of additional children into the programs.

As part of the renovation, all doors and windows will be changed at the kindergarten in the village of Varagavan.

The Need

The kindergarten and multipurpose room in the village of Varagavan needs renovation. Specifically the kitchen, bathroom, playroom and roof and flooring throughout most of the building must be addressed. Once completed, children will be able to take full advantage of early education in a safe, clean and comfortable environment. Furthermore, families in the village are in need of a space to gather for community and cultural events.

Short Term Impact

Village kindergarten-aged children will benefit from the advantages of early education in a clean, safe and comfortable environment. Residents will be able to hold concerts, gatherings and community events in a new and functional multipurpose room. The local economy will benefit from the purchase of local materials and labor for the construction.

Long Term Impact

Improving the infrastructure in Varagavan is important. With a modern kindergarten, hundreds of children will benefit through their attendance for many years to come. Families in the village will take pride in their kindergarten and this may assist with population growth in the village.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsors of the renovation at the Varagavan Kindergarten and Multipurpose Room will be recognized on a plaque installed at the kindergarten, on The Paros Foundation website and in all related press to this important project. The Paros Foundation will happily arrange a visit to the Varagavan Village Kindergarten when you are in Armenia.

Updates: Images & Information

June 6, 2019

Join us in supporting this project tonight at the beautiful home of Kelley & Greg Badishkanian in New York! All proceeds will benefit this important kindergarten and multipurpose room renovation in the village of Varagavan.

June 14, 2019

Demolition began today a week after the funds were secured at the Badishkanian fundraiser!

July 24, 2019

Work is continuing at the Varagavan Kindergarten. The windows were delivered and installed today and the roof has been completely replaced!

August 15, 2019

Project Sponsors, The Badishkanian Family, visited the kindergarten today to see how the work is progressing.

March 16, 2020

Work on the interior of the kindergarten is complete. Work will begin outside on the grounds as soon as the weather permits.

March 18, 2019

Hatsik Preschool Renovation

Unsanitary bathroom conditions at the preschool

Description

Hatsik is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. The village population, approximately 2500, currently houses one school with 285 students in attendance, 40 being in preschool. The Hatsik Village School, which was the site for renovations completed by the Paros Foundation’s SERVICE Armenia in years 2013, 2014 and 2015, is in need of a renovation consisting of three classrooms, two bathrooms, and a hallway, which will facilitate the entire preschool. Thanks to the generosity of past and present donors, The Paros Foundation has renovated the auditorium, gym, all other classrooms and bathrooms in this buidling at the school. The school is very important to the region of Armavir. The regional government has previously allocated funding to complete the school’s heating system. In addition, the Hatsik Village Municipality raised funds within their network of donors to help with the restoration of the school’s kitchen.

Sponsorship of this project will help raise the amount needed in order to complete renovations at the Hatsik School’s Preschool wing. Our previous renovations at the Hatsik School are well maintained, thus giving us great motivation to continue our work at this site. The Paros Foundation is committed to completing renovations and dramatically improving the overall condition for the children at this school.

Region

Armavir / Արմավիր

City / Village

Hatsik / Հացիկ

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

Two months after start date

Hatsik Preschool Renovation

Thank you to all our donors, we have met our fundraising goal.

Gallery Images

Bathroom renovations are needed urgently for the children

Family, friends from the Marc Tognozzi Memorial Fund along with Paros Foundation staff, visit the Hatsik Village School. Esther Tognozzi is committed to helping renovate the Preschool in her son, Marc's memory, the fund established in his name.

The Need

Early education studies show that attending kindergarten is important to students’ success in higher education, as well as for their future. The Hatsik Preschool renovation will give young children the opportunity to attend classrooms that will accommodate their early education needs.

Short Term Impact

The short-term impact of this project will be to reconstruct and renovate three classrooms, two bathrooms and a hallway for the preschool. Materials will be purchased in Armenia, thus providing a boost to the local economy. In addition, local villagers will be hired to complete the construction work, thus providing them with temporary jobs.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, the success of this project will provide proper classrooms and facilities for current and future young children at Hatsik Preschool to attend and start their educational journeys.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website, in appropriate press released to this project, and on a plaque installed in the Hatsik School Auditorium.

February 4, 2019

Kanakeravan Art School Classroom Renovation

The Kanakeravan Fine Arts School is located in a village approximately 30 minutes outside of Yerevan.

Description

The Kanakeravan Fine Arts School is located in the village of Kanakeravan about 30 minutes outside of Yerevan and serves both this village and a neighboring village. The School provides afterschool program in several of the fine arts including music, dance, pottery, painting and needle work to more than 125 children annually. The School has a committed staff and principal that ensure that their personal passion for the arts is upheld and taught to these children.

The Paros Foundation has provided the school in past years with two new pianos and renovated the schools restroom and multipurpose room. The school is still in need of renovations to several of the classrooms and hallways including new flooring, doors, windows, paint and lighting. The local government provides the Art School support for their administrative expenses, while the students pay a modest monthly fee. Unfortunately, the support and fees are not enough to allow the school to complete the renovations on their own. Sponsorship of this project will help renovate a total of nine classroom/practice rooms and two administrative office.

Region

Kotayk

City / Village

Kanakeravan

Start Date

June 2018

Kanakeravan Art School Classroom Renovation

$17,800 of $45,000 raised

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Donation Total: $100 One Time

Gallery Images

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Floors in the Kanakeravan Art School classrooms are rotting and need to be

The Need

Armenia’s villages and its children suffer from lack of facilities for children. The promotion of a child’s education and preservation of our rich culture depend on quality educational institutions. The Kanakeravan Fine Arts School can meet these needs with a modest amount of support.

Short Term Impact

125 children will have a newly renovated classrooms and practice rooms to attend. The renovation will employ a contractor and support the local economy through the purchase of necessary building materials.

Long Term Impact

Armenia’s rich heritage and culture will continue to be promoted through the support of this art school. In addition, life in the village of Kanakeravan will be more interesting and fulfilling by having a quality art school for children to study at and as a place for villagers to work.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to support the Kanakeravan Art School will be recognized with a plaque at the school, your name listed as a sponsor on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation stands ready to help you arrange a visit and tour the school when you are in Armenia.

Updates: Images & Information

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June 28, 2018

The SERVICE Armenia 2018 program participants spent three days working in the village on the subfloor at the Art School.

August 15, 2018

Students will begin the 2018/19 school year with new classrooms on the first floor! We hope to be able to continue the renovation of this school with the classrooms on the second floor next year.