Purchase a Home 6 - Mkrtchyan Family

Description

Following the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, tens of thousands of people were left homeless in the City of Gyumri. Many of these families took refuge in the overseas shipping containers (domiks) that were shipped into Armenia loaded with humanitarian relief supplies, or in condemned buildings. An entire generation of children has grown up in deplorable conditions, often times with no running water and little or no heat. The Armenian government has provided most of the families that lost their homes in the Earthquake with new housing units.

As people moved out of those makeshift housing units, others moved in. The 2,500 or so families that remain are Gyumri’s desolate families, who are not in line to receive a government provided apartment. Many of these families are comprised of single mothers, multiple children and/or the disabled.

This project will identify suitable needy families who can be moved into a new apartment and can demonstrate that they can afford their monthly expenses. Agreements will be signed passing ownership of the apartment to the chosen family, with the stipulation that until their youngest child reaches 18 years of age, the family cannot sell, rent or move. This is a sustainable model in that families that have been moved into permanent housing in the past have had a high degree of success maintaining their families and their new homes.

Once the move is complete, the make shift housing unit will be destroyed to prevent its future occupancy.

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

September 2016

End Date

December 2016

Purchase a Home 6

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

The Need

2,500 families live in the city of Gyumri in temporary, make shift housing. These units are neither safe nor sanitary. These families and their children need a normal apartment in which to live.

Short Term Impact

A family will be identified and an appropriate apartment will be purchased for them as soon as possible. The make shift housing unit which they currently occupy will be destroyed.

Long Term Impact

The city of Gyumri will recover parcels of land currently occupied by these make-shift housing units. In addition, the family’s mental state will improve as a direct result their new and normal home.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors will be recognized on all relevant press regarding this project and on The Paros Foundation website.

Updates: Images & Information

November 9, 2016

Today the Mkrtchyan family was informed that we are in the process of purchasing them an apartment!

December 19, 2016

The Mkrtchyan family are officially homeowners and were moved today into their new apartment!

December 25, 2016

Shirak Center NGO work crew began tearing down the Mkrtchyan family's old domik today. Wood from the demolition will be given to other families in need.

By vespartech

September 28, 2016

Adopt A Classroom 9 – Hatsik

Adopt A Classroom 9 - Hatsik

Read Updates

Description

Representatives of The Paros Foundation have visited more than 100 schools throughout Armenia. While some schools have either been renovated thanks to the Armenian government or as a result of the generosity of international donors, many remain in deplorable conditions and have little hope of being renovated in the near future. These conditions affect both the ability for students to learn, as well as the health of students and teachers. How is a student supposed to learn if there are not proper desks, chairs or windows in the classroom?

The Paros Foundation will directly oversee the renovation of a classroom including addressing such elements as windows, doors, flooring, lighting, paint, chalk or white board and desks and chairs. Whenever possible, the school, students and their parents will be incorporated into the classroom remodel project to help build a sense of community and personal investment.

Hatsik is a village in the Armavir Province of Armenia. This village of 2,558 people currently houses one school with 285 students in attendance. Renovations at the Hatsik Village School began with the Paros Foundation’s SERVICE Armenia 2013 group.