The village of Paruyr Sevak was founded in 1978 and named after the famous poet Paruyr Sevak.  The village is located in the Ararat Region and is near the border of Nakhchivan and occasionally receives cross border sniper fire.  Almost 600 people live in the village of Paruyr Sevak. There is no gas infrastructure in the area, so families burn wood or use electricity to heat their homes and public buildings.  Improvements were recently made to the drinking water infrastructure for homes in Paruyr Sevak.  Irrigation water continues to be a problem for the village and dramatically effects their ability to farm.

The village’s school, is in overall poor condition.  The campus was originally designed in the 80s to encompass three large buildings, but only one of them was actually completed.  The 80+ students that attend this school, do so in substandard conditions.  The school does not have heating so it is cold in the winter.  Students do not have any appropriate inside or outside space for gym class, or physical activities.  There is a shortage of space within the existing building for extra curricular activities such as dance classes, choir practices and community gatherings.  

Improvements to the school will be made in phases as funding permits with the most important first step being the installation of a heating system into the school.  This will cost approximately $40,000.  In addition, an outside sports court will be built allowing children an appropriate space to play basketball, soccer and volleyball.  This will cost approximately $9,000.  Finally, one large multipurpose room will be renovated with bathrooms and locker rooms to allow children to have dance class and other enrichment activities for the school.  This will cost approximately $36,000.  

Work will commence as funding is raised for this project.  

Following the 2020 war, a large number of young people ended up in the Vayots Dzor Region of Armenia, including Young people who were injured during the war. To help provide specialty training including vocational to help these young people work and earn a living, this special fund has been created. Work will be done to support the activities and specialized training via a variety of non-governmental organizations in the Vayots Dzor Region.

The village of Nerkin Tsaghkavan is located in Armenia’s Tavush Region on the road to Noyemberyan and is home to more than 500 people.  Both the village of Nerkin Tsaghkavan and the neighboring village of Kirants do not have a kindergarten for its children.  The village has allocated a building centrally located in the village to house a future kindergarten.  In addition, the consolidated community has funding available for the kindergarten’s operational expenses once it is built.  The Paros team has visited this kindergarten and designed construction to include its future expansion to house two groups of up to 60 children.  Initial construction will allow for the kindergarten to begin operation with one group (30 children).  Construction will include a new roof, windows, heating and a playroom, sleep room, kitchen/dining hall, bathroom and small office.

In addition, the project will include the furnishing of the kindergarten with all furniture necessary to launch operations including tables, chairs, beds, lockers, kitchen cabinets, desks, and appliances.

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is an important border village with a population of more than 1,100 residents in the Berd 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. Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur 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 ten 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. Since 2012, a variety of work (ranging from $2,500 to $30,000) has taken place on more than 20 homes in the village.  

Ashot A. lives with his wife, his two sons and one of his son’s families.   A total of eight people live together.

Prior to the birth of the newest grandchild, Ashot had begun to do some work on their home including making roof repairs and had hopes of building the family a bathroom and new kitchen.  However, the baby’s medical problems have consumed any available funds for hospital bills. The work will include a new roof, windows, kitchen, bathroom, heating system and a complete interior remodel. This will allow the family to leave in clean, sanitary and comfortable conditions.  

Nor Luyce works with young girls, ages 14-17, from two local orphanages and/or from poverty stricken families from Gyumri, Armenia. Under the direction of their Executive Director, Shoghik Mikayelyan, the program provides their mentees with positive roles models and emotional support. The reduction of isolation is provided by mentors and by field trips, which expose the children to various work and educational settings. In addition, Nor Luyce’s program emphasizes the development of educational and career plans. They are now at the stage of either beginning or continuing to help implement each older child’s plan for higher education. Each child has also either completed or is in the process of completing a career plan, which includes the most appropriate type and place of higher education.

Nor Luyce is trying to provide Gohar M., with a scholarship that would reduce her out of pocket cost towards her education. Gohar was born on March 3, 2002 in Gyumri. She has a brother and a father. Her father has health issues and is bedridden. Gohar lost her mom to cancer when she was only 14 years old. Her brother is working and taking care of the family. Their monthly income is only 31000 AMD which is equivalent to about $80 USD.

Gohar is studying in the department of Tourism at Shirak State University. Gohar joined Nor Luyce in 2019. She is very smart, broad-minded, hardworking, responsible for her actions and words, and respectful towards everyone. She is only 18 years old but she is very mature compared to her peers. Together with her mentor Gohar worked to reach the ideal person that she desired to be. 

Currently, Gohar needs our support in getting her degree because her family is socially vulnerable. The requested scholarship funds will help Gohar continue her studies. She needs our support to get a college degree to be able to have a better future.

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is an important border village with a population of more than 1,100 residents in the Berd 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. Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur 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 ten 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. Since 2012, a variety of work (ranging from $2,500 to $30,000) has taken place on more than 20 homes in the village.  

Rafik P.  is 44 and his wife is 32.  They have two sons.  Roman and Mark, 8 and 5 years old.  Rafik works occasionally at a store doing basic labor on an occasional basis when they need him.   Anna studied management but does not because she is caring for her children.  The family lives on Rafik’s income plus, they have one cow, one calf and  some chickens.  They also care for Anna’s father’s beehives and they split the honey with him.  Rafik’s home is in very poor condition and needs to be completely renovated.  The family is trying their best to make ends meet but their house is in very poor condition and they have little hope of being able to renovate it themselves.  The work will include a new roof, windows, kitchen, bathroom, heating system and a complete interior remodel. This will allow the family to leave in clean, sanitary and comfortable conditions.  

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is an important border village with a population of more than 1,100 residents in the Berd 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. Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur 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 ten 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. Since 2012, a variety of work (ranging from $2,500 to $30,000) has taken place on more than 20 homes in the village.  

Varsik Vardanian lives with her son, daughter-in-law and four young grand-children. 

Nor Luyce works with young girls, ages 14-17, from two local orphanages and/or from poverty stricken families from Gyumri, Armenia. Under the direction of their Executive Director, Shoghik Mikayelyan, the program provides their mentees with positive roles models and emotional support. The reduction of isolation is provided by mentors and by field trips, which expose the children to various work and educational settings. In addition, Nor Luyce’s program emphasizes the development of educational and career plans. They are now at the stage of either beginning or continuing to help implement each older child’s plan for higher education. Each child has also either completed or is in the process of completing a career plan, which includes the most appropriate type and place of higher education.

Nor Luyce is trying to provide Nina A., with a scholarship that would reduce her out of pocket cost towards her education. Nina was born in 2003 in Gyumri. Her family consists of five people; her mother, father, two brothers and her. Nina’s father doesn’t have a permanent job. He travels back and forth to Russia for a seasonal jobs. Her mother is not employed. They receive a social stipend from the government. Nina is the first person in her family pursuing a university degree. She is a freshman in the journalism department at the Shirak State University.

Nina joined Nor Luyce in 2016. Currently she is the president of Nor Luyce alumni group. Nina is honest, trustworthy and hardworking. She is patient and doesn’t get scared when facing challenges. Nina is a responsible and active mentee. When joining Nor Luyce program, Nina was very shy and introverted, however, with the help of the program Nina gained a number of skills and knowledge. 

Currently,  Nina needs our support in getting her degree because her family is socially vulnerable. The requested scholarship funds will help Nina continue her studies and cover the costs of her tuition, books, stationaries, and her transportation fee for one year.

Nor Luyce works with young girls, ages 14-17, from two local orphanages and/or from poverty stricken families from Gyumri, Armenia. Under the direction of their Executive Director, Shoghik Mikayelyan, the program provides their mentees with positive roles models and emotional support. The reduction of isolation is provided by mentors and by field trips, which expose the children to various work and educational settings. In addition, Nor Luyce’s program emphasizes the development of educational and career plans. They are now at the stage of either beginning or continuing to help implement each older child’s plan for higher education. Each child has also either completed or is in the process of completing a career plan, which includes the most appropriate type and place of higher education.

Nor Luyce is trying to provide Aida V., with a scholarship that would reduce her out of pocket cost towards her education. Aida was born in Hatsik village in Armenia. Her family consists of five people, her father, mother, brother, grandparent and her. Aida’s father works in agriculture. Her mother works at the school. Aida’s brother participated in the 44-day war with Azerbaijan during which he was wounded. Currently he is still serving in the army at the border.

Aida is studying in the Armenian-English translation department at the Shirak State University. She is in her first year. Aida joined Nor Luyce in 2018. At that time she lacked self-confidence and had low self-esteem. However, she has successfully completed all her phases at Nor Luyce and is a Nor Luyce alum. Thanks to Nor Luyce, Aida has become self-confident, can express her opinion easily and she has developed leadership skills. All these years, Aida has been one of the best mentees, participated in all the meetings and events. Currently she volunteers at Nor Luyce helping the staff in different activities. She also gave a number of presentations on bullying at various communities in the Shirak Region. 

Currently, Aida needs our support in getting her degree because her family is socially vulnerable. The requested scholarship funds will help Naira continue her studies and cover the costs of her tuition, books, stationaries, and her transportation fee.

The village of Verishen is located in Armenia’s Syunik Region and is part of the Goris administrative district.  The village is home to more than 2,200 residents.  The community has a large kindergarten that operates three groups with almost 90 children.  There are more than 40 additional children waiting to attend the kindergarten, however space limitations prevent them for opening two additional groups and accepting these children into the kindergarten.  In addition, the existing building is in overall poor condition and needs a complete cosmetic remodel including a new kitchen and new bathrooms throughout to improve the sanitary conditions of the facility.