Paros Blog
Its been a while since I blogged about our current activities. Certainly NOT because our team is not getting things done, but just the contrary! We are in our pre-summer run up to SERVICE Armenia 2018 and a in the midst of planning for a terrific fundraiser in New York on June 7th. I have to say, it has been difficult being in the US watching from afar the incredible changes that are taking place in Armenia this last month. I honestly feel cheated that I am not in Hayastan. My timing really does suck. I have been in Armenia each year for the last 12 years for no less than three months a year via four or five trips annually–and I missed it! But, I will be in Armenia in a couple of weeks and we have accomplished a bunch of important things.
Our team in Armenia is working on several smaller projects with funds remaining from our Support Our Heroes project that is worth mentioning today.
One of Nodorik’s new piglets.
Several weeks ago, construction was completed on the barn in the village of Gugark for the family of Nodorik Margaryan. We paid for all the materials, labor and supplied them with three piglets and feed. We are hopeful this will help them expand their agribusiness and allow them to better care for themselves.
Roof renovations in process.
Up in Saragukh, a village near Novemberyan, we are helping a father/son soldier team with roofing materials to complete the construction of their village home. These men and their family moved to this village and are living in a rented home until they are able to finish construction. They are both contract soldiers and are stationed about five kilometers away from their home on the border.
Fitting for a new prosthetic leg.
Late last week, our colleague Gegham met a soldier who is stationed in Artsakh. About two years ago he had his foot and part of his leg blown off from a landmine. The prosthetic leg that he was given has continuously given him problems with sores and open wounds. So, Gegham met him in Yerevan at the master prosthetic maker in town to fit him and we ordered him a new prosthetic. Hopefully this higher quality leg will fit him better and allow him to get around easier.
Finally, we are supporting cancer treatments for the mother of a soldier that was injured and left partially disabled as a result of the April war. We have supported two rounds of treatments and we are hopeful that her condition will improve.
We have lots of big projects moving forward in full swing that I will report on from Armenia, but I didn’t want these important, but smaller projects to be overlooked.