Kindergarten & Preschool for Paruyr Sevak Village

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Description

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.  Currently 16 children attend the preschool.  The village does not have a working kindergarten, nor an appropriate public gathering space for events and activities.  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 goal of this project is to rebuild several wings of the building that currently houses the preschool.  This will facilitate three major things for the village.  First, it will allow for the expansion for the preschool to accommodate additional children who are not attending due to the current poor conditions.  Second, it will allow the village of Paruyr Sevak to establish a kindergarten for the village.  Currently the village has 33 children awaiting the establishment of a kindergarten.  This will help these children receive the benefits of early education.  Finally, the renovation of a large assembly hall will allow the village to have an appropriate space to gather for various meetings and community activities.

This project will be implemented in phases as funding becomes available.  The first phase will include the renovation of the second story preschool space and will cost $18,500.  The second phase will include the renovation of the first story kindergarten space and the adjacent kitchen and will cost $28,500.  The third and final phase will include the renovation of the main entryway, the community assembly hall and the building’s entry courtyard and will cost $22,000.

Region

Ararat

City / Village

Paruyr Sevak

Start Date

May 2019

End Date

Gallery Images

The kindergarten and preschool in the village of Paruyr Sevak occupy approximately half of this building.



The building in Paruyr Sevak houses the kindergarten and future preschool and community hall.



The bathrooms in the kindergarten building were partially remodeled, but never completed.



Broken windows and a leaky roof has caused a considerable amount of damage
to the upper floor.



One of the classrooms on the upper floor of the kindergarten building in Payuyr Sevak.



The head of the Paruyr Sevak community shows Paros staff the damage relating to the roof leaks in the kindergarten.



The main entrance to the building is currently not used and needs to be renovated.



Once renovated, the second floor assembly hall will be a very good addition to the Payuyr Sevak community.



The kitchen will serve both the kindergarten and the preschool once renovated.



The head of the Payuyr Sevak community shows Paros Staff the direction of Azeri sniper fire from Nakhchivan.



This room once served as the auditorium and assembly room for the community of Paruyr Sevak. Once renovated, it will again fulfill, this important role both for the children as well as the community at large.



The upstairs hallway will be renovated as part of the work on the preschool in the village of Paruyr Sevak.



The grounds outside of the kindergarten building will also be renovated to
serve as a beautiful park space for the community and a playground for the
children.

The Need

The village of Paruyr Sevak has a small working preschool that needs renovation in order to better serve the community. In addition, children currently do not have a kindergarten to attend. The community as a whole does not have an appropriate assembly hall to meet for various events and activities.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, all of the preschool and kindergarten aged children will benefit from the newly renovated facilities. Additional jobs will be created at both the preschool and kindergarten, and during the reconstruction phase of the building. Materials will be purchased locally whenever possible, to help the local economy.

Long Term Impact

In the longer term, children in the village will benefit from early education and the villagers will have an appropriate space for community gatherings and events.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors of this project will be listed on The Paros Foundation website, on a plaque at the building’s entrance in Paruyr Sevak, and in any press related to this important project. Visits to the village can be arranged for sponsors and their families during visits to Armenia.
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May 19, 2019

Work began today on the second floor classroom spaces that will house the new pre-school.

 July 16, 2019

Work is completed on the second floor classroom space. Now the crew is beginning the phase two work which includes the new main entrance, staircase, hallway and kitchen.

 September 5, 2019

Today the Piligian and Hamparian families who are the primary sponsors of this project, visited the village of Paruyr Sevak and sponsored a gala celebration for the work that has been completed to date!

 January 13, 2020

With work on phase two nearing completion, our work crew has begun the renovation of the first floor kindergarten space.

 February 29, 2020

After a considerable amount of research, our Paros staff concluded the most effective heating system for this large building is an electricity fired boiler and radiators to heat all newly renovated spaces. Our heating specialist was able to tie in the existing partial solar heating system for additional benefit.

 March 7, 2020

The work on the first floor kindergarten classroom spaces is also complete and the crew is now working on the second floor auditorium.

 April 9, 2020

Today our crew finished the interior work. The children will return to both the kindergarten and the newly opened pre-school as soon as the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. We will continue to work with the project sponsors to tackle the work on the grounds next.

July 9, 2021

Today our SERVICE Armenia participants spent the day at P. Sevak helping paint some of the verandas in the playground space.  Thanks to participant’s donations, these structures were rebuilt and will offer both students, staff and families shelter from the heat!  

August 27, 2021

Thanks to the generous continued support from the Piligian and Hamparian families, the village’s medical center, which is located next to the kindergarten’s kitchen, is being renovated!  Work began today and should be completed within a few weeks.  

July 29, 2024

The Paros team visited the Payrur Sevak Kindergarten and Pre-School to spend time with the children. 

Ghoghanj Nor Nork – 2019-2020 Funding

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Description

The Ghoghanj Children’s Center located in the Kentron of Yerevan provides afterschool and summer school programs for approximately 60 children every month. Children who attend the Center are loosely defined as “at risk.” These children typically come from very poor households, often times with a single head of household, who cannot pay for such assistance. The goal of the Ghoghanj Children’s Center is to provide the necessary academic, psychological and social support to ensure that the children attending mature to well adjusted, successful, young adults.

In order to further impact more “at-risk” children, the Center has identified a need for this model to be replicated and offered to other communities in Armenia. Through the generous support of the Dadourian Foundation, a second center for “at-risk” children was opened in 2014 in the Nor Nork neighborhood of Yerevan to provide support to 85 additional children annually. The new center has provided students the same core classes daily (English, Russian, Computer, Design, Painting, Theater and Dance) as the Ghoghanj Children’s Center – Kentron. The goal of this project is to broaden the services offered to socially vulnerable children and families in other communities and provide them with the proper support and guidance needed to excel in school and become self-confident and respectful young adults.

Amount will include rent, utilities, teacher salaries, maintenance and additional improvements, and supplies.

https://youtu.be/lI1AwdYMja8

Region

Yerevan / Երևան

City / Village

Nor Nork / Նոր Նորք

Start Date

September 2019

End Date

August 2020

The Need

Children living in the community of Nor Nork in Yerevan are in need of additional guidance through social, psychological and academic support. A second center for these kids has been opened and needs financial support in order to cover operational costs for the following school year 2019-2020.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, sponsorship of this project will help continue to employ teachers, and provide 85 children in the Nor Nork neighborhood of Yerevan with their needed tutoring and guidance.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, this project has the potential of impacting the lives of 85-100 at-risk students by helping them gain the guidance and support they need in order to create greater future opportunities, and become successful individuals and good citizens.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to fund the operational costs for the 2019-2020 school year for Ghoghanj-Nor Nork will be recognized with a plaque at the Center and on the Center’s website and in their printed materials. Your name will also be listed as a sponsor on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation will happily arrange a visit to the center when you are in Armenia.
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October 6, 2019

Students from the Ghoghanj Children’s Center attended the Digitec Expo 2019 annual exhibition and presented their work.

 March 12, 2020

Following the order of the Prime Minister, the Ghoghanj Children’s Center will be temporarily closed due to Covid-19 until further notice.

Debi Arach Children’s Center 2019 Operating Budget

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Description

The Paros Foundation launched the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri, Armenia on April 15, 2015 with the help of generous donors. The center, which provides 170 children each week the necessary academic, psychological, social and humanitarian support, has since been a source of positivity in this city. The residents of Gyumri, Armenia’s second largest city have endured very devastating realities since the tragic 1988 Spitak Earthquake. More than 100,000 residents were left homeless, and plagued with unemployment and rampant poverty for years to come. In turn, the fate of children in Gyumri has also been affected. Dealing with the difficulty of finding means to feed and care for their families, many parents are unable to provide their children with the proper guidance, supervision, educational aid and the financial resources for them to excel in school and have successful futures. The Debi Arach Children’s Center, which in Armenian means “moving forward,” helps these socially vulnerable children through a holistic approach providing them with both humanitarian and educational support. The center provides counseling and group therapy with a psychologist on staff, homework help and tutoring for almost every subject the children learn in school including English, Math, Art/Design, and Computer classes. Additionally, they are served a nutritious meal everyday, helping them receive the calories and/or nutrients they would otherwise not have. Furthermore, the Center addresses a very important hygienic need by providing the children in attendance with supervised bathing facilities. The goal is to help hundreds of children develop a vision for a successful future, and to give them the skills they need to reach these goals. This project is impacting the lives of hundreds of socially vulnerable children by helping them gain the guidance and support they need in order to create greater future opportunities, and become successful individuals and good citizens.

To date, the center has already had several important successes. At least nine children have been taken out of boarding schools, attend our center and now live back at home with their families. Many of the children who were receiving poor grades in school are now achieving top scores. The children have become socially well adjusted and much more healthier than before with the continued consumption of multi-vitamins and a daily well-balanced meal. Staff trainings have begun with an academic counsel of professionals from the United States and Armenia to ensure that the children are receiving the best care, treatment and methods for their development.

The center is working on funding year four and raising additional funds in order to develop and add to the programs and classes offered with the ability to hire more educators, and get more supplies, and equipment. Funds will also be used to supplement daily activities, hold forums for guest speakers and provide educational and career planning opportunities. $77,000 is needed to cover operating costs for the Center. In January of 2017, Debi Arach successfully launched its first program within its Vocational Training Center, teaching children computer programming, 3d printing and robotics curriculum. The goal of this newest component is to provide these children with marketable job skills in order to help them work themselves out of poverty.

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Region

Shirak Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri Գյումրի

Start Date

April 2019

End Date

March 2020

The Need

Thousands of children in Gyumri are living in extreme poverty, with no hope for a decent future. These socially vulnerable children are in need of a safe and enriching environment where they can receive additional guidance through social, psychological and academic support giving them a chance to break their cycle of poverty. The children’s center will continue to provide these children with the opportunity to attend afterschool and summer school programs providing them with the additional skills necessary for a successful future. Additionally, these children suffer from malnutrition and related illnesses due to a lack of well-balanced meals. The center will continue to provide each child with a nutritious meal everyday, helping them receive the calories and/or nutrients they need. Furthermore, many families were forced to take refuge in overseas shipping containers (domiks), or in condemned buildings after the devastating 1988 Spitak Earthquake or due to their poor socioeconomic status. An entire generation of children has grown up in deplorable conditions, often times with no running water and little or no heat to take showers. The Center will address this very important hygienic need by continuing to provide the children in attendance with supervised new bathing facilities.

Short Term Impact

The short-term 170 children will receive immediate support and guidance to help them succeed for the second year. The Center will continue offer nutritious meals, bathing facilities, counseling opportunities, homework aid and tutoring and core classes including English, Computer, Art/Design, and Math.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, with the success of the Center’s current offerings, additional classes and programs will be added and attendance will rise. The number of children growing up in poverty in the future will decrease as the number of children successfully graduating from our program and continuing onto college or successful vocations increases. The number of “social orphans” and children temporarily residing in boarding schools in Gyumri will be reduced as parents become increasingly able to keep their children at home given the humanitarian support they receive at the center. Through ongoing employment opportunities created, several families will continue to receive a fair wage, hence improving Gyumri’s economy.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to sponsor the operating cost for 2019 of the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri will be recognized with a plaque at the Center and on the Center’s website and in their printed materials. Your name will also be listed as a sponsor on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation will proudly arrange a visit to the new Center when you are in Armenia.
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June 28, 2019

The Paros Foundation’s Service Armenia 2019 group came to visit Debi Arach and implement the Packs on Backs Armenia: Debi Arach project, distributing backpacks full of school supplies to all of the students. The backpacks are important for students as they ensure that no student is left behind due to inadequate school supplies. The SERVICE 2019 group will return soon to spend one of their work days doing minor renovations and paint work at the center.

 July 1, 2019

The Paros Foundation’s Mobile Dental Clinic arrived at Debi Arach to treat the students throughout the month of July with free dental care and treatment.

 October 9, 2019Thanks to a generous second donation to underwrite the vocational training programs at the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri from the Dr. Gary and Linda Assarian Family Foundation, Debi Arach is proud to announce the re-naming of this program as the Assarian Vocational Training Program.
November 1, 2019

Today, Debi Arach had an amazing fall mini-excursion at a local park. Students split up into groups, some picking up trash and cleaning the park, some writing poetry, and some doing arts and crafts. It was a great day not only doing good for the community, but also appreciating nature.

 November 7, 2019

Debi Arach now has a small library for students with over 100 books in Armenian, English, and Russian. Classes have been extended two days a week to allow for some independent reading time.

 November 12, 2019

As a part of Debi Arach’s career fair program and focused on the profession of law, 20 students were given the rare opportunity to visit a court. The president of the Universal Court of the Shirak Marz, Gagik Hovhannisyan, spoke about the judicial process and how a court case works. Students received a full tour of the area and learned so much about what lawyers do.

 December 13, 2019

Debi Arach had a special visit from the Armenian EyeCare Project. They performed 19 eye exams for students who exhibited sight problems, 12 of which will be fitted for glasses. Thank you Armenian EyeCare Project!

 March 9, 2020

The Debi Arach Children’s Center and as well as the Assarian Vocational Training Program have temporarily closed due to Covid-19 following the order of the Prime Minister and until further notice. We are dedicated to providing consistent meals, psychological support, and structured in-home learning to the youth. Although the facility is currently closed, we are working hard to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of all students and staff. We have also committed to continue paying our staff during the closure. We are working closely with our on-staff psychologist, who is checking in with the kids each week to help them navigate their lives during this challenging time. We want to make sure the students still receive consistent, adequate nutrition so we are providing food packages for all families of Debi Arach with guidelines on safety protocols for receiving and cleaning the items.

Kick Like a Girl!

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Description

Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer (GOALS) is the only NGO working across Armenia to use sports for social change outside the classroom. Girls who play sports exhibit higher confidence levels, better mental health, improved teamwork and communication skills, increased graduation rates, and leadership skills. GOALS directly impacts more than 2,500 girls and boys in 65 communities.

Meet Tatevik Movsisyan. The first player from a GOALS league to join the Armenian Women’s Under-19 National Team. Tatevik’s passion for soccer began when she was eight years old watching boys play soccer in their village field and dreamt of taking part in it. However, it seemed like an impossible dream for her because of the stereotypes in her village. Then, at the age 11, she was nominated best soccer player in her village during a soccer tournament. Shortly thereafter, she joined the GOALS Achajur team. It was strange at first for the village to accept the idea of a girls’ team. As the league continued, her father even observed her practices and started to recognize her skills, slowly changing his mentality. Since GOALS arrived, there has been a transformation in her village. More girls want to join the team and boys accept and encourage girls to play soccer. Tatevik feels more confident and dedicated. She wants to continue her studies in sports and soccer, with a dream of becoming a referee. Without GOALS, she does not think she would have these opportunities or aspirations.

 

Region

Kotayk

City / Village

Charencavan, Hrazdan, Fantan, Karenis, Abovyan & Alapars

Start Date

October 2018

End Date

January 2019

All donations for this fundraiser will help GOALS create the opportunity for young girls to reach their goals, both in soccer and in life.Your donations will fund existing leagues, camps, teams and players, as well help to expand into new rural areas across Armenia. Your contribution will also help train more coaches in the use of “sport for social impact” curriculum in Armenia.

Through your generous donations GOALS will:

● Cover all costs related to the leagues: travel, referees, nurses, and venue spaces, and all the equipment needed to hold training sessions (jerseys, socks, footballs, cones and pinnies).
● Permit girls to travel to Yerevan to be a part of competitive matches and cross-cultural events, introducing local youth to diaspora Armenians and exposing participants to different perspectives and ideas, and broadening their horizons.
● Support tournaments between the regions to motivate girls to increase their soccer skill levels and increase their confidence in participating in tournaments outside of their region.
● Empower a new generation of leaders to take New Armenia forward by creating a network of strong girls in the region and allowing them to build new friendships, teamwork, and skills to compete.
● Provide professional training and guidance in media (sports journalism), coaching and refereeing, allowing young people to practice their skills and get experience in the scope of GOALS programs across Armenia.

Sponsor a League- $3,000
GOALS leagues are designed to give young women aged 12-17 from under-resourced areas the chance to play soccer and build confidence and teamwork skills, as well as change public perception of women’s participation in sports. The annual cost of a league is approximately $3,000, which will fund:
● Equipment for the teams (jerseys, socks, footballs, cones, and pinnies for an entire league)
● Training with coach minimum once a week (minimum 1 hour)
● Traveling costs
● Referees
● Nurses
● Venue space
Currently, GOALS has soccer leagues in 7 regions of Armenia: Yeghegnadzor, Alaverdi, Goris, Dilijan, Artik, Armavir and Gegharkunik.

Sponsor a Camp – $1,500
GOALS soccer leadership summer camps are implemented in impoverished rural areas in order to excite the community,motivate the girls to continue playing soccer, and challenge existing steretypes within the communities.
GOALS Summer camps consist of :
● Sport-for-social-impact games addressing gender equity, tolerance, diversity, human rights and healthy lifestyle
● Technical drills
● Leadership seminar (Guest speakers)
● Nutritious lunch
Camps bring together communities whose residents often don’t interact and spark the interest that leads to more GOALS programming in the region. Since 2016 GOALS has conducted 10 camps impacting more than 500 girls and boys.

Sponsor a Team – $500
Teams are designed to help girls build new friendships, teamwork, and skills to compete. Teams have the opportunity to travel to Yerevan and participate in cross-cultural events.
Each team needs :
● Coaches
● Equipment
● Traveling costs
We currently have 42 teams and will be creating at least ten in the coming year. Sponsoring a team supports these needs for two full seasons/one year.

Sponsor a Player – $50
Sponsoring a player is an easy way to make a big impact through a small donation. This donation will pay for one girl’s uniform, socks, and travel to competitive games.

You can visit the GOALS website to find out more about how your charitable contributions are helping GOALS to spread their impact: www.goalsarmenia.org

GOALS needs supporters of every kind — donations, fundraiser sponsors, and volunteers. If you are interested or have questions about where and how GOALS works we encourage you to contact GOALS directly at Lorik@goalsarmenia.org.

Gallery Images

Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer Logo

The Need

Throughout Armenia, there are limited opportunities for girls to play soccer. Despite having a strong desire to do so, girls cannot find the resources necessary or sporting groups that make experiencing the game a possibility. In addition, organized sport participation has several benefits to youth development such as leadership skills, teamwork skills, confidence building and improved overall physical health. The GOALS organization helps give young women the chance to play soccer through their GOALS Leagues, Media, Coach and Referee trainings, Camps and After-school Clubs.

Short Term Impact

In 2017 GOALS impacted 2,000 youth through their leagues, camps, and After-School Clubs. We witnessed an increase in these girls confidence, recorded an increase of parents who approve of their daughters playing soccer, and a spike in the belief that girls can be leaders. With your investment GOALS wants to launch a new league in the Kotayk region, which will become their eighth league.

Long Term Impact

In the long-term, public opinion regarding girls’ participation in soccer is changing, paving for the way for greater sports and leadership opportunities. We see a movement toward more inclusive soccer leagues that start at a young age and continue, also contributing to a competitive National Team for Armenia.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsors of this project will be recognized on The Paros Foundation and GOALS websites, at the camps and in all press related to this project. The GOALS organization will also begin sending updates through their newsletter in which they will also thank and recognize sponsors. In addition, GOALS will send personalized team photos and progress reports to sponsors of leagues and/or teams.
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Abovyan School #8 Renovation-Phase One

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Description

The town of Abovyan in Armenia’s Kotayk region is often referred to as the northern gateway to Yerevan because of its proximity to city (about 10 miles north.) Abovyan is home to more than 34,500 residents. More than 530 children attend School #8 in Abovyan. The school is in overall poor condition. School administrators do what they can to maintain the facility, but outside assistance is needed to dramatically improve conditions throughout this school.

The school is comprised of seven building, six of which are currently being utilized. All six buildings need new roofs to prevent leakage during the wet and winter months. Most of the school’s windows need to be changed to modern, double-pane windows. The school’s boilers are 12 years old and one of them has ceased to function. The bathrooms all need to be completely renovated and transformed into modern restrooms. The large gym is also in very poor condition and needs a total remodel.

Improvements to this large school will be completed in phases. The Phase One project will include the replacement of the school’s roofing and roof support structure (as needed) over six of the buildings that are in use. Two of the buildings are in very bad condition and will be replaced immediately as soon as funding is available.

Region

Kotayk

City / Village

Abovyan

Start Date

June 2019

Gallery Images

The roof over the six buildings of Abovyan School #8 needs to be replaced.



The roof above the bathrooms at Abovyan School #8 have leaked and caused a
considerable amount of damage to the interior.



The ceiling above the gym at Abovyan School #8 shows a considerable amount
of water damage.



Like most of the other rooms at Abovyan School #8, the auditorium also leaks.

The Need

The roofs over the six buildings that are currently being used at the Abovyan School #8 are leaking and beyond repair. These roofs and much of the support structure beneath must be changed to help create a safe and comfortable environment for the children while they are at school.

Short Term Impact

In the near term, a roofing crew will replace roofs over six of the facilities buildings including new corrugated roofing, gutters, downspouts and wood supporting structure as needed. This will benefit the local economy as both materials and labor will be purchased locally.

Long Term Impact

In the longer term, children will be able to learn in a cleaner, safer environment. In addition, a new roof will help better protect the children and staff and prevent further deterioration of the facility.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors will be listed on The Paros Foundation website, on a plaque installed at the school and in all appropriate press materials related to this project.
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December 27, 2018

Today our construction crew did a closer inspection of the roofs at the school. Our hope is to have enough funding in place to redo at least two of the building’s roofs as soon as weather permits.

 June 3, 2019

Our construction team arrived at the school today to begin the demolition of the roof on the first building on campus! Exciting!

 July 23, 2019

So happy to announce that our team completed the work on the roof at the first building on campus!

July 10, 2020

Work on the roof over the second classroom building at the school began today thanks to the support of several generous donors.  

August 15, 2020

Work on the second classroom building’s roof was completed today! 

October 15, 2021

The school’s main entrance was reroofed a several year’s ago through a government supported project.  Unfortunately, it was done very poorly and aggressive wind damaged a considerable amount of roofing over the entrance.  Thankfully, through the support of generous donors, our crew began the reconstruction of the third building’s roof today!

November 16, 2021

Work on the third building’s roof was completed today before the weather becomes too moist!

September 4, 2022

Demolition work has begun in the school gym. Once that is completed, the entire gym will be renovated complete with paint, windows, lighting, electrical and equipment.

February 20, 2023

The gym renovations are complete! A grand opening with performances from the students was held in celebration of its completion. Continuing with school renovations, we still need funds to renovate the locker rooms and the teacher’s office.

June 2026

Abovyan School continues to thrive thanks to the renovations completed to date, and additional funding is now needed to complete the locker rooms.

Empowerment for Women: Catering & Food Design

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Description

Border villages in Armenia, such as those in the Tavush region, are plagued with economic hardships and unemployment. These villages have very few options for employment (agriculture, teaching and few municipal positions) and do not have the means to seek training for new professions. For this reason, many of the residents (mainly men) flee to Russia to find employment and stable income. This leaves many women alone in their communities, without a profession and dependent on their husbands/fathers/brothers to send them money from abroad.

With support from The Paros Foundation, two professional training programs in the hairdressing services, manicure tech, makeup and cosmetology have already been successfully implemented. In order to expand the range of opporunities and offer additional viable employment solutions for these women new training courses will be offered in Catering & Food Design and Balloon Decoration. Both of these skills are in high demand since there are limited services for wedding celebrations, anniversaries, high school graduation parties, kindergarten and other events held in several border villages. Currently, village residents turn to businesses in nearby cities for these needs which can be expensive or simply unaffordable for rural community residents.

A benefit of this project is to ensure the villagers can benefit from the services offered to them locally and at an affordable price. Sponsorship is needed in order to fund classes for women from 10 border villages including: Barekamavan, Koti, Voskevan, Voskepar, Baghanis, Djuyevan, Dovegh, Koghb, Berdavan and Zorakan. 18 women will have the opportunity to participate in one of the two classes for the duration of two months, twice a week for tw0-hour class periods.

10 women will be enrolled in the Catering & Food Design classes. In addition to designing students will be taught how to make salads and hors d’oeuvres. The food will be made with fruits, vegetables, sausages, cheese, pastry, sweets, bread, etc. The fresh meals prepared during classes and special table setting and decoration days will be distributed to the local, non-governmental and childcare organizations for free. This will help avoid wasting the food and promoting their services.

Additionally, eight women will be enrolled in the balloon decoration classes. Participants in this course will likely be chosen border village kindergarten staff. It is often necessary to decorate the kindergarten halls, courtyard or rooms during celebrations. In such cases the parents usually raise a certain amount of money to sponsor the work of designers or decorators. The goal of this program is to teach the kindergarten personnel how to decorate for those special events, so that the decorating could be performed by a local expert.

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Barekamavan, Koti, Voskevan, Voskepar, Baghanis, Djuyeva, Dovegh, Koghb, Berdavan, Zorakan

Start Date

June 2019

End Date

August 2019

Gallery Images

A home damaged by shelling in Aygepar. Photo credit: Hetq



The interior of a home in Aygepar hit by a mortar. Photo credit: Civilnet



The interior of a home hit by sniper fire in Aygepar. Photo credit: Hetq



A villager works to cover his damaged roof in Aygepar before the rains. Photo credit: Hetq



The remnants of a mortar from the bombing along the border. Photo credit: Hetq

The Need

Residents of border-region villages have very few options for employment (agriculture, teaching and few municipal positions) and do not have the means to seek training for new professions. For this reason, many of the residents (mainly men) travel abroad to find employment and a stable income. This leaves many women alone in their communities, without a profession and dependent on their husbands/fathers/brothers to send money from abroad.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, 18 women total from ten villages will participate in a two-month training program and obtain skills in Catering & Food Design and Balloon Decoration. They will also receive the proper tools needed to utilize their new skills in order to earn income. Furthermore, local, non-governmental and childcare organizations will be the recipients of food form relevant practice classes.

Long Term Impact

Over time, this project has the potential to help these women establish their own businesses, find financial stability for their families and better the economy of their communities. In addition, their success will help empower them through a new sense of independence and encourage them to one day help other women learn their set of skills.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website. In addition, donors will be recognized on all relevant press regarding this project.

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August 1, 2019

As part of their training, the students learned to make balloon art and paper and foam flowers for decorations in addition to preparing displaying tasty and attractive food.

September 3, 2019

Most of the trainees are now utilizing their new skills for special event decor and food preparation to earn money for their families.

 

GOALS Summer 2018

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Description

Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer (GOALS) is the only NGO working in several regions of Armenia to use sports for education outside the classroom. Girls who play sports exhibit higher confidence levels, better mental health, improved teamwork and communication skills, increased graduation rates, and leadership skills. GOALS directly impacts more than 2,300 girls and boys in 65 communities.

● Girls Soccer is taking off in Armenia!

● GOALS is growing by 50% annually with over 400 girls now in our leagues

● Everyday more girls ask us to play…WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

Help us continue reaching and empowering more girls in Armenia to move the country forward. Our youth are our future!

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Region

Gegharkunik & Armavir

City / Village

Villages in Gegharkunik & Armavir Province

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

September 2018

Read our stories and find us on Facebook:

Suzy, 13 years old, Dilijan

“I have no other hobbies aside from football. My father didn’t agree with my football playing, but I talked to him and explained that I should try different things to understand what I want. Well, he was against it again, but as he loves me very much, he agreed. Due to football I became more focused not only in football, but also in other issues. I can solve any problem easier and swifter because I have already learned how to think in different ways and also in my everyday life.”

Liana, 13 years old, Margahovit

“People told me that football isn’t for girls, that it is difficult, but I thought that I must try and if I am not good it doesn’t matter, I will start to do something else that I am better at. During the game there are moments when I must be courageous and go for the ball, understanding that on the way someone can push you. The courage of girls in playing football is a revolution and I am part of that revolution.”

Karine, 13 years old, Dilijan

“Karine and her friend Suzy have been attending football classes for a one year and breaking all the stereotypes. According to Karine, if she dreams to become a footballer her gender never and under no circumstances can prevent her from reaching her dreams and becoming a famous footballer, to playing with football stars and to traveling a lot.”

Anahit, 17 years old, Dsegh

“I always pursued football as a hobby but when I joined the Alaverdi league I started to take soccer seriously and love it more. Through soccer my teammates and I are able to break through the stereotypes of the masses and we are happy we aren’t underestimated. Even though my team did not win the league I cannot imagine my future without soccer. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger! Due to GOALS I have become freer, more confident, and I feel that I am equal to boys.”

Sponsor a League- $3,000 (annually)
GOALS leagues are designed to give young women aged 12-17 from under-resourced areas the chance to play soccer and build confidence and teamwork skills, as well as change public perception of women’s participation in sports. Each team is headed by an Armenian coach, who signs a contract committing to one year of training their team a minimum once-per-week during the season for one hour per session. Teams travel and play one competitive game per week. Sponsoring a league covers all travel costs, referees, nurses, and venue space, and all the equipment needed to hold training sessions: jerseys, socks, footballs, cones, and pinnies for an entire league. Currently, we have leagues in Yeghegnadzor, Alaverdi, Goris, Dilijan and Artik.

Sponsor a Camp – $1,500
GOALS leadership summer camps are implemented in areas where GOALS hopes to operate on a longer-term basis, in order to excite the community and motivate the girls to continue playing soccer. Our summer camps are 3 full days and each day consists of sport-for-social-impact games that address gender equity, tolerance, diversity, human rights, and whatever issues the community is facing. Technical drills, a leadership seminar including inspiring local guest speakers and a nutritious lunch follow the sessions. Camps bring together communities whose residents often don’t interact and spark the interest that leads to more GOALS programming in the region. This year GOALS will have camps in Kotayk, Gegharkunik, Lori and Syunik regions.

Sponsor a Team – $500​
Teams are designed to help girls build new friendships, teamwork, and skills to compete. Teams have the opportunity to travel to Yerevan and participate in cross-cultural events. Each team needs coaches and equipment and to cover costs of travel. We currently have 36 teams and will be creating at least ten in the coming year. Sponsoring a team supports these needs for two full seasons/one year.

Sponsor a Player – $50
Sponsoring a player is an easy way to make a big impact through a small donation. This donation will pay for one girl’s uniform, socks, and travel to competitive games.

GOALS has already received a grant from World Vision for part of this program. The overall budget of this project is $11,500 of which GOALS still needs $7,500.

All donations for this fundraiser help GOALS bring a soccer league to the girls in Gegharkunik, which will become our seventh league. Before GOALS came into the picture, several coaches in Gegharkunik wanted to create soccer teams but were denied funding from local sources. Bringing our resources to Gegharkunik through your generous donations will:
● Allow more than 80 girls and coaches from the Gegharkunik region to participate in a sustainable girls’ soccer league.
● Cover all costs related to travel, referees, nurses, and venue space, and all the equipment needed to hold training sessions: jerseys, socks, footballs, cones and pinnies.
● Permit girls to travel to Yerevan to be a part of competitive matches and cross-cultural events, introducing local youth to diaspora Armenians and exposing participants to different perspectives and ideas, and broadening their horizons.
● Support a three-day summer camp to bring together 48 youth from six different communities.
● Support tournaments between the regions to motivate girls to increase their soccer skill levels and increase their confidence in participating in tournaments outside of their region.
● Support activities related to the World Cup during the summer camps within the dates of World Cup to raise awareness about the countries and teach teamwork skills to the participants.
● Empower a new generation of leaders to take New Armenia forward by creating a network of strong girls in the region and allowing them to build new friendships, teamwork, and skills to compete.

GOALS needs supporters of every kind. They want donations, fundraiser sponsors, and volunteers. If you are interested or have questions about where and how GOALS works you can contact them directly at Lorik@goalsarmenia.org.

Gallery Images

Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer Logo






GOALS soccer teams



GOALS girls love soccer!

The Need

Throughout Armenia, there are limited opportunities for girls to play soccer. Despite having a strong desire to do so, girls cannot find the resources necessary or sporting groups that make experiencing the game a possibility. In addition, organized sport participation has several benefits to youth development such as leadership skills, teamwork skills, confidence building and improved overall physical health. The GOALS organization helps give young women the chance to play soccer through their GOALS Leagues, Summer Camps and After-school Clubs.

Short Term Impact

In 2017 GOALS impacted 2,000 youth through their leagues, camps, and After-School Clubs. We witnessed an increase in these girls confidence, recorded an increase of parents who approve of their daughters playing soccer, and a spike in the belief that girls can be leaders. With your investment GOALS wants to launch a new league in the Gegharkunik region, which will become their seventh league.

Long Term Impact

In the long-term, public opinion regarding girls’ participation in soccer is changing, paving for the way for greater sports and leadership opportunities. We see a movement toward more inclusive soccer leagues that start at a young age and continue, also contributing to a competitive National Team for Armenia.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsors of this project will be recognized on The Paros Foundation and GOALS websites, at the camps and in all press related to this project. The GOALS organization will also begin sending updates through their newsletter in which they will also thank and recognize sponsors. In addition, GOALS will send personalized team photos and progress reports to sponsors of leagues and/or teams.
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October 31, 2018

From the GOALS TEAM: “Thank you for all the support so far! GOALS couldn’t grow without the support from people like you. Because of this support, GOALS successfully opened our Gegharkunik league, with 56 girls across the region. We can’t wait to see their growth and the results from our fall leagues.”

 

Adopt A Classroom 23 – Ljashen

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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?
One of the schools recently identified in need of a complete renovation is located in the large village of Ljashen in the Gegharkunik region at Lake Sevan. Ljashen Village has a population of 5,000 and one local school. About 300 students attend this run down school.
In addition to several classrooms, the Paros Foundation will directly oversee the renovation of the hallways, two staircases, and restrooms at this school including doors, flooring, lighting, paint, and electrical, as needed. The heating system was replaced 10 years ago by Developmental Services for Armenia, a California based humanitarian organization, and is still fully functioning. 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.

Region

Gegharkunik

City / Village

Ljashen

Start Date

June 2017

End Date

September 2017

The Need

Many classrooms throughout Armenia’s schools remain in deplorable conditions. Children should not have to try and learn in these conditions. Because of substandard doors and windows, many classrooms become unusable in the winter months because of the cold. In addition, even schools with proper heating are affected negatively with insufficient warmth in the classrooms that have broken doors and windows. While the Armenian Government and others regularly engage in a campaign to remodel schools, they simply cannot meet the huge need.

Short Term Impact

The short-term impact will be that students will enjoy use of newly renovated hallways, staircases and restrooms. Also six local residents will be employed to complete the renovations. There will be benefits to the local economy through the purchase of supplies.

Long Term Impact

The long-term impact will benefit at least 10 years of students that will be able to take classes using the updated and modern classroom. This will have a huge psychological impact on both the students and teacher. In addition, the school will benefit from energy savings in the winter months.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to sponsor the renovation of this classroom will be recognized on a plaque at the school, on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation will happily arrange a visit to the Ljashen Village School when you are in Armenia.
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Paravakar Village School Gym Renovation

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Description

Paravakar is a border village in Armenia’s Tavush Province. About 1,300 people call Paravakar their home. Because of the threat of Azeri sniper fire, a bridge leading to the city of Berd is uncrossable. Villagers are forced to wind through the Shamshadin mountains to reach Berd, which almost triples their journey. Almost 230 students attend the village’s primary school.  The school was renovated by the Armenian government about ten years ago, however serious leaks in the roof has created a situation whereby the gym is dangerous to enter.

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Paravakar

Start Date

August 2018

End Date

October 2018

Gallery Images

The gym in Parvakar has a leaky roof that has caused the ceiling to collapse making it very dangerous for students to use the facility.



Water leaks in the Paravakar school gym have damaged the ceiling, walls and flooring.



The Paravakar school gym needs renovation to enable students to utilize this facility.

The Need

The school’s roof has several leaks that have caused the gym’s ceiling to partially collapse. This makes is dangerous for students to enter the gym for their physical education classes. The school administration has done the best they can to shore up the ceiling, but rain and snow continue to damage the interior of the gym.

Short Term Impact

The school’s roof will be immediately repaired and the interior of the gym renovated to provide students with a clean and safe environment in which to exercise and play sports. A work crew will be employed and all materials will be purchased in Armenia, thus benefiting the local economy.

Long Term Impact

In the long run, students will be both happier and healthier as a result of having full and safe access to the school’s gym.

Sponsors Benefits

Project sponsors will be listed on a plaque installed at the school, on The Paros Foundation website and in all relevant press materials related to this project.
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September 5, 2018

With the repairs to the roof completed, scaffolding was located and delivered and our crew began the reconstruction of the ceiling in the gym.

 September 14, 2018

To protect the ceiling and windows from basket and volley balls, protective netting is being installed over both the ceiling and windows.

 October 2, 2018

Our crew is completing the gym renovation project with the installation of the new lighting.

 October 26, 2018

A quick visit to the completed gym caught the students working out and practicing martial arts training.

Girls’ Leadership and Development (GLAD) Camp

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Description

Over the previous two years, the Margahovit Youth Center has held two successful summer camps for young girls, originally through a Let Girls Learn (LGL) grant from the United States Peace Corps. The purpose of the camp is to address the often overlooked, but important needs of these young girls and help them learn positive ways to cope with stereotypes, anxiety and culturally imposed limitations that have had a negative effect on their daily lives. Due to the success of the initial two Girls’ Leadership and Development (GLAD) Camp, the Margahovit Youth Center is fundraising to implement the camp again, taking lessons and tips from the previous camps, for a different group of participants from Margahovit. The Girls’ Leadership and Development (GLAD) Camp will address several needs by teaching the participants a range of healthy mental, emotional, and physical coping skills to combat stress and by bringing the group closer together in a safe space so that they can form a strong support network going forward.

This year’s camp will be for 15 girls and will be led by community members, Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs), and outside experts focusing on a range of aspects related to emotional and mental health and leadership skills, including but not limited to: creating a safe space for discussing these issues; healthy expression of emotion; journaling; yoga; strengths finding; personality tests; and leadership styles. The participants from last year’s GLAD Camp meet monthly for a follow-up club, in part to organize monthly seminars for other youth in the village to pass on what they learned during the camp; participants from this version of GLAD will participate in these activities as well. The community of Margahovit will contribute significantly in planning, implementation, and follow-up work. Their goal is to help participants become more mentally and emotionally healthier, equipped with the tools they need to handle the difficulties life throws at them, and thus do good in school and become stronger leaders.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbX673ZgYVc

Region

Lori

City / Village

Margahovit

Start Date

July 2018

End Date

August 2019

Gallery Images

The girls will learn yoga as a great tool to maintain their mental & emotional health.



The interior of a home in Aygepar hit by a mortar. Photo credit: Civilnet



The interior of a home hit by sniper fire in Aygepar. Photo credit: Hetq



A villager works to cover his damaged roof in Aygepar before the rains. Photo credit: Hetq



The remnants of a mortar from the bombing along the border. Photo credit: Hetq

The Need

In many towns and villages throughout Armenia, many young girls are unable to protect themselves against the diversity of stereotypes, anxieties, and culturally-imposed limitations. These range from body-image issues stemming from a cultural obsession with being thin, traditions pressuring girls to be quiet and obedient and stigmas associated with seeking help for mental and emotional issues. Of the 19 girls, aged 13-16, surveyed in a Margahovit community needs assessment, approximately two-thirds reported experiencing stress in their lives, with a range of negative behaviors and feelings associated with this stress, including: feeling hopeless and sad; experiencing anxiety and nervousness; feeling weak, imbalanced, and easy to set off; and not wanting to talk to or see anyone. While a number of girls report coping mechanisms generally regarded as healthy, such as talking to friends or taking a walk, the range of mechanisms is fairly narrow (not including a range of other effective methods including journaling, meditation, and preparation of healthy food) and includes methods generally regarded as negative (including avoiding problems, using the internet, and consuming sweets).

Short Term Impact

In the short term, 15 girls, ages 11-16, from the village of Margahovit will participate in a six-day camp at which they collectively establish a safe space to discuss mental and emotional health and stress and learn healthy ways to deal with the variety of stresses in their lives. Following the camp, these 15 girls will join the previous participants’ monthly club at which they discuss how they have been maintaining their mental and emotional health through the skills learned at the camp and support each other in their continuing communal safe space.

Long Term Impact

With the successful implementation of this project, in the long term the participants in our community will be mentally and emotionally healthier, equipped with the tools to handle the difficulties life throws at them, and thus ready to be stronger leaders in the community and spread this knowledge and skills to their peers. Given the variety of ways in which stress can affect girls’ participation and success in school, we also know that with the skills and abilities gained through this project the participants will experience greater academic enthusiasm and success.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to sponsor the GLAD Camp will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. Donors will also be listed on the GLAD Camp Facebook page announcements and in the wrap-up slideshow/video . Campers will also write thank-you notes to all supporters of the camp.

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