Scholarship for a Sustainable Future: Hasmik T. – Elmira K. – Lusine A.

Description

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 the following young girls from Gyumri, with a scholarship that would reduce their out of pocket costs towards their education:

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

2025

Hasmik T.
Hasmik was born on November 25, 2006 in Gyumri, Shirak region. Hasmik Tarboshyan grew up in a family of five, where challenges were met with unwavering determination. Her mother works tirelessly at “Liana – Kindergarten,” while her father and two school-aged siblings contribute to a close-knit household sustained by modest means.

A graduate of Gyumri High School No. 1, Hasmik’s life took a transformative turn in 2022 when she joined the Nor Luyce NGO program. Initially shy and reserved, Hasmik faced her fears head-on, blossoming into a confident, proactive individual with a newfound zest for life and a clear vision for her future. As a mentee in the Higher Education stage of Nor Luyce, Hasmik credits the program with helping her uncover her true self, develop meaningful friendships, and build essential communication skills. It’s through this journey that she found the courage to dream big and pursue her passions.

Hasmik  has been accepted to the Yerevan State Medical University where she will further her future career goals. She is receiving a 15% discount for her tuition, but still faces a significant hurdle to cover the rest of the fees. Despite her family’s financial struggles, her determination remains steadfast. Hasmik’s story is one of resilience, hope, and the belief that, with the right support, she can overcome any obstacle to achieve her aspirations.

Scholarship needed: $1,500

Elmira K.
Elmira was born on June 19, 2004, in Gyumri, Armenia. Growing up in a family of five, Elmira faced immense challenges early on. She lost her father during his military service when she was just a child. Her mother works tirelessly as a seasonal agricultural laborer to provide for the family, while her grandparents, who suffer from serious health issues, require constant care. Her younger brother is still in school, leaving Elmira as a pillar of strength for her family. 

Despite living on an insufficient monthly income of just around $200, Elmira has shown an unwavering commitment to her education. While attending the Nor Luyce NGO program, Elmira grew into a confident, proactive, and dependable young leader. Today, she is one of the program’s most dedicated volunteers, known for her enthusiasm, creativity, and passion for giving back to her community. She is currently pursuing a degree in Social Work at Shirak State University, a field close to her heart as she dreams of helping others who face struggles similar to her own.  She is able to study free of charge, but her family cannot afford the rest of the related expenses including clothes, a coat, boots, transportation for two years and book expenses. 

Scholarship needed: $1,100

Lusine A.
Born on December 25, 2005, in the village of Beniamin, Armenia, Lusine Antonyan is a young woman with immense talent and determination, navigating life with grace despite significant challenges. Lusine comes from a family of five, where her parents work tirelessly to make ends meet. Her father travels to Russia for seasonal work, often gone for months at a time, while her mother manages the family farm, an income that is both seasonal and uncertain. Her younger siblings are still in school, and the family relies on social benefits to survive, with a modest monthly income of just around $210.

Lusine’s passion for art led her to pursue a degree in Decorative Applied Arts at the Gyumri Branch of the State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia. Her creativity and dedication shine through her work, as she aspires to use her art to bring beauty and meaning to the world.

She joined Nor Luyce NGO in 2020 as a shy and reserved individual, lacking confidence in her abilities. Through mentorship, community, and self-discovery, she transformed into a bold and proactive young woman. Lusine is a reliable volunteer, an active participant in events, and a source of inspiration for her peers. She also volunteers with Nor Luyce to give back by serving as a mentor for others.

Her family is unable to afford her annual tuition fee threatening her ability to continue her education. Due to her hard work, Lusine is receiving a 50% discount towards her tuition. She needs assistance with the rest of the amount.  

Scholarship needed: $1,400

https://youtu.be/taZ8PbkwiU4https://youtu.be/I20hGKoBTrQ

The Need

Children living in orphanages and/or within poverty stricken families are often isolated and may lack the knowledge, adult support and financial ability necessary to make appropriate life choices. As a consequence, many of these children are deprived from the opportunity to pursue their education. The frustration of these deficits in addition to the expectation that they will not be able to afford additional education may even lead to a lack of motivation to seek the knowledge and support needed. By being given the opportunity to pursue educational goals, they will be able to secure job opportunities, a good future and a successful life.

Short Term Impact

Hasmik T. – Elmira k. – Lusine A., who all currently live in Gyumri, will receive the financial support they need, in a form of a scholarship, covering the costs of their college tuition, uniform, books, stationaries, winter clothes and transportation.

Long Term Impact

The long-term goal is that four girls, being given the opportunity to continue pursuing their educational goals at the university level will have a reasonable chance to become self-sufficient member of Armenian society and have a successful lives.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsors will be recognized on both the Nor Luyce and Paros Foundation websites. Donors will be given regular progress reports on the girls’ progress during their university studies.

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Debi Arach Children’s Center 2025 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 185 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 take place 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 ten 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. $92,000 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. In 2019, with the long term commitment by Dr. & Mrs. Gary and Linda Assarian (MI) the vocational training program was renamed the Assarian Vocational Training Program.

Region

Shirak / Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri / Գյումրի

Start Date

April 2025

End Date

March 2026

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 185 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 2025 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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May 21, 2025

Due to an increase of children attending the center, Debi Arach is in need of an additional $4,500 to obtain six new computers to add to their computer lab. 

July 30, 2025

Today SERVICE Armenia 2025 visited Debi Arach spending time with the children and distributing backpacks. 

Nourishing Armenia!

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Description

Nourishing Armenia aims to create a lasting impact on the health and well-being of children and families in Armenia. 

Armenia stands at a crossroads of opportunity and need. Rates of childhood malnutrition and obesity are both rising. Many families face limited access to fresh, nutrient-rich foods due to economic barriers or lack of agricultural infrastructure. At the same time, nutrition education and clinical dietetics remain largely absent from the country’s educational and healthcare systems.

Food insecurity and poor nutrition fuel chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and anemia — all of which threaten the nation’s long-term wellbeing. Without intervention, these patterns will continue to weaken families, communities, and the economy.

But Armenia’s potential is immense. The country has a strong agricultural heritage, a growing youth population, and a deep sense of community — the perfect foundation for a national movement in food literacy and health. To build a healthier future requires action on multiple fronts: schools, farms, universities, and the health system.

Nourishing Armenia brings together education, agriculture, and healthcare to create lasting, community-led change. We aim to build a culture where every child understands what healthy food means, every healthcare provider can prescribe nutrition as part of healing, and every school can feed both minds and bodies.

In the short time since Nourishing Armenia’s launch in the spring of 2025, several successes have already been realized including:

• The successful development and launch of the Nourishing Armenia Summer curriculum and activity schedule for 180 at the Debi Arach Children’s Center.
• The construction and launch of a greenhouse, serving as a living classroom at the Debi Arach Children’s Center.
•  The successful development and launch of the Nourishing Armenia curriculum for the 25/26 academic year at the Debi Arach Children’s Center.

This effort has been met with tremendous enthusiasm by the children at the Center and prove that nutrition has a welcomed place in a child’s education if presented correctly.  Our work and future plans are in consultation with both the Ministries of Health and Education, and tie into their goals of promoting nutrition and healthy eating as a tool in the fight against chronic diseases.   Our next phase includes developing and implementing the following programs:

• Nourishing Armenia at Debi Arach.  For $150 we can feed, educate and engage students at the Center for an entire year!  This amount includes nutritious daily meals, cooking workshops and mentorship. 
• Hamov Hub Clubs as extracurricular activities as a pilot project in 10 schools throughout Armenia serving 15 students per club.
• Hamov Hub cooking show at Debi Arach engaging 180 students in designing, filming and posting healthy cooking recipes via YouTube to educate children everywhere.
• Sustainable Food Systems through the construction of additional greenhouses and chicken coops in appropriate village settings.
• Undergraduate and graduate university programs in Clinical Dietetics to train future nutrition leaders including dietitians, clinical nutritionists, educators and public health specialists. 
• CME courses for doctors and nurses in coordination with the Armenian National Institutes of Health, which will provide healthcare workers valuable tools on how to incorporate nutrition into healthcare.

Funding is immediately needed to continue supporting Nourishing Armenia’s programming.  Please consider supporting the following:

• $150 feeds one child for a full year at Debi Arach’s after-school program.
• $2,500 supports one Hamov Hub Club including supplies, ingredients and educator trainings.
• $5,000 supports the startup trainings and set creation of Hamov Hub YouTube cooking show at Debi Arach
• $7,500 establishes a chicken coop at the community living center for elderly Artsakh refugees in Verishen.
•  $10,000 develops and delivers CME nutrition courses for 50 healthcare professionals
• $20,000 builds and equips one greenhouse
• $50,000 supports the creation and accreditation of Undergraduate and graduate university programs in Clinical Dietetics.

 

Region

All

City / Village

All

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

One Year From Start

Gallery Images

Students at Debi Arach preparing their healthy pizzas!






Meeting with the Ministry of Education to discuss Nourishing Armenia.



Students at Debi Arach harvesting food for their daily meals.



Students at Debi Arach working in their new greenhouse, learning about growing healthy food.

The Need

Thousands of children in Armenia face the harsh reality of malnutrition, which affects their growth, development, future health outcomes and overall quality of life. With 34% of the population living in poverty, this is an area of immense need. Many families struggle to provide basic non-perishable food staples due to economic, housing, and health-related constraints. Through education, the establishment of meaningful and engaging curriculum, greenhouses and chicken coops, Nourishing Armenia will positively impact Armenia’s overall health.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, we expect to directly benefit more than 300 children through access to fresh produce and nutrition education while simultaneously providing hands-on experience in the areas of cooking, teaching, agriculture, and homesteading. These experiences are designed to expose children to different opportunities for career paths in the future. The initiative will also create local job opportunities for community members to teach homesteading practices like drying fruit and pickling vegetables and farming practices like harvesting crops and tending to chicken coops through engaging activities with the children. 

Long Term Impact

In the long run, we anticipate taking the first steps toward a reduction in pediatric malnutrition rates in these regions.  We aim to break the cycle of poverty and malnutrition and to provide tools to help fight Armenia’s chronic disease through healthy nutrition. 

Sponsors Benefits

Your generous contribution to the Nourishing Armenia project will be recognized in various ways:

• Your name will be displayed on a plaque at the greenhouse site.
• Recognition on our website and in printed materials related to the project.
• Regular updates on the project’s progress and impact.

Visits to these communities can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.

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March 10, 2025

Construction on the Nourishing Armenia Gyumri Greenhouse has begun. 

March 25, 2025

Nutritionist, Stephanie Sudjian, who is spearheaded the Nourishing Armenia! project spent the day at Debi Arach teaching the children how to make nutritious smoothies. She was also able to check in on the progress of the Nourishing Armenia Gyumri Greenhouse. The greenhouse will serve as a sustainable food option to promote healthy eating, which aims to create a lasting impact on the health & well-being of children and families in Armenia. 

June 4, 2025

The Nourishing Armenia Summer program began today at Debi Arach!  The children are very excited for this new and fun activity based program.

June 21, 2025

Construction on the new greenhouse and living classroom at Debi Arach is completed.  The team completed running the drip irrigation system today!

September 17, 2025

Because of the overwhelming success of Nourishing Armenia’s summer programming, we have decided to continue this important program as a year-round curriculum!  Today was the first day!

October 4, 2025

With Nourishing Armenia Founder and Chair visiting Armenia, we officially cut the ribbon on the Greenhouse at Debi Arach!

October 29, 2025

With weekly Nourishing Armenia classes in full swing and students now working in the greenhouse, the excitement level at class time is over the top!

January 16, 2026

Armenia has made a huge stride towards better nutrition in schools with their newest standard: removing sugary snacks and processed foods from Kindergartens. This initiative prioritizes balanced, nutritious meals, kickstarting lifelong wellness that starts with what’s on a child’s plate. This policy aligns with our Nourishing Armenia initiative, helping children develop healthy eating habits early and giving families access to safe, nourishing food.

April 22, 2026

Stephanie Sudjian, MS, RD, LDN, CLT, IFMCP, as part of her work with Nourishing Armenia, ran a Continuing Medical Education course for Doctors and Nurses in Yerevan. More than 30 enthusiastic local healthcare professionals attended to learn about Nutrition and its relation to maternity health. In addition, Stephanie met with elderly members of the Association of Healthcare and Assistance to Older People in Yerevan to discuss healthy diets and their relation to elder issues.
Thank you Stephanie for your continued work to positively impact Armenia’s health!

May 15, 2026

One of the students at Debi Arach who helps with the Nourishing Armenia Greenhouse was so inspired by the program that she decided to create a mini greenhouse of her own at home. Moments like this show the true impact of the program, not only teaching students about growing food, but inspiring curiosity, creativity, and lasting connection to sustainability and learning. 

$50K for 60 Years

Description

They say 60 is the new 50 and our Executive Director, Peter Abajian, is making sure we don’t forget that! To celebrate this milestone birthday we are raising $50,000 to go towards Debi Arach Children’s Center! If anyone knows Peter they know he is full of life and joy, and ultimately has the biggest giving heart so we thought it would be perfect to give in a big way. Join us in celebrating 50 as the new 60 and let’s make a sizeable dent in the Debi Arach operation budget for this upcoming year!

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 185 children each week the necessary academic, psychological, social and humanitarian support, has since been a source of positivity in this city.

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 healthier than before with the continued consumption of multi-vitamins and a daily well-balanced meal. Staff trainings take place 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..

Region

Shirak / Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri / Գյումրի

Start Date

August 2024

End Date

August 2025

Gallery Images

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September 3, 2024

Thank you to everyone who generously donated in honor of Peter’s 60th birthday! Your donations helped us raise $16,000 for the Debi Arach operating budget and that is the best birthday gift of all.

Nor Ughi School Soccer Field

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Description

Nor Ughi Village is located in Armenia’s Ararat Region and is home to the Vedi Alcohol Company.  Almost 2,000 people call Nor Ughi and neighboring Ginevet Village their home. Many in these villages are employed at Vedi Alcohol factory or are engaged in agricultural activities. 

170 students attend the village school, including 10 displaced students from Artsakh. The students are from both the neighboring villages of Ginevet and Nor Ughi. Recently, the school gym was renovated through the leadership of Mr. and Mrs. John & June Mangassarian from Rhode Island and they want to continue positively impacting Nor Ughi. In collaboration with GOALS – Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer, a brand new soccer field will be built on the school’s grounds. The city has agreed to clear the field and remove the initial layers of soil in preparation for the field. The new high quality soccer field will be made of artificial turf and equipped with benches and lighting. The soccer field will be at the level that other organizations, such as the Football Federation, can use it for practice and tournaments. Therefore, it will serve as a space for both the students and the community. 

The budget to construct the soccer field at the school is $53,000. Two separate entities have generously agreed to match all donations. Ricky, Rebecca (Rafaelian), Victoria and C.J. Caruolo will be matching all donations to honor Ralph and Lucy Rafaelian. John and June Mangassarian will also match all contributions. Therefore, for every $1, we move $3 toward our goal!

Region

Ararat

City / Village

Nor Ughi

Start Date

June 2024

End Date

2 Months From Start

Gallery Images

Currently, the space where the soccer field will be constructed is run down and unusable. The space will be completely reconstructed for the new field.



The current state of the Nor Ughi School’s soccer field.



The field is filled with old equipment, uneven grass, and is in need of major reconstruction.



The layout of the future soccer field.

The Need

Currently, the Nor Ughi School has poor outdoor conditions and no safe space to play outside. The school needs help with funding the construction of a high quality, safe field for the children to play soccer. 

Short Term Impact

In the short term, the Nor Ughi community will have a brand new soccer field to use. Construction materials will be purchased locally and the work will be completed with local labor crews.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, a new soccer field for the community of Nor Ughi will allow the youth and locals to develop leadership skills, teamwork skills, confidence building and improved overall physical health.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors of this important project will be listed on The Paros Foundation’s website and in all press related to this project. Visits to these communities can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.

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June 7, 2024

The local municipality has contributed to the project by generously clearing the field. Further construction will continue when the necessary funds become available. 

June 27, 2024

We are proud to announce the official groundbreaking on the Nor Ughi School Soccer Field where work on the field has begun. Spearheaded by John and June Mangassarian, both present for the groundbreaking, this field accompanies the new gym which was also a project spearheaded by the Mangassarian family. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this field a reality.

Shgharshik School Gymnasium Renovation

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Description

Shgharshik is a village in the Talin Municipality of the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia, and has a population of about 600 residents. 

Established in 1975, the Shgharshik Secondary School has been educating the town’s children for many years and currently services 60 students. The gymnasium at the school has heating, but is run down and is in need of renovations. Currently, students cannot utilize the gym in its entirety because of the fact that the existing wood flooring is rotten and unsafe to walk on in many areas. To make the gym safe and usable again, we will add two new windows that open to improve ventilation, install new electrical and lighting, replace the rotting wooden flooring with vinyl, add new basketball backboards, install new netting over the windows, add new benches, and repair the walls by fixing the moisture problems from outside and then painting and sealing the walls. 

Region

Aragatsotn

City / Village

Shgharshik

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

Gallery Images

The current state of the interior of the gymnasium.



The wooden flooring in the gymnasium is rotting and breaking.



The basketball nets in the gym are rundown and will be replaced.



These windows will be replaced with windows that open to improve ventilation.

The Need

60 students that attend the Shgharshik Secondary School cannot use the school’s gym because it is in need of a full renovation. The school’s modest annual budget does not allow it to renovate this facility.  

Short Term Impact

In the short term, the village will receive a modest economic benefits of construction related costs as construction materials will be purchased locally and the work will be completed with local labor crews. Once completed, 60 students at the school will receive the benefits of having a fully functioning gym at the school.  

Long Term Impact

Over the useful life of the school’s gym renovation, an estimated 2,000 children will receive the benefits of sports at their school. This will promote both a healthier lifestyle and help them focus on their studies. 

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors of this important project will be listed on The Paros Foundation’s website and in all press related to this project. Sponsor names will also be listed on a plaque at the school. Visits to these communities can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.

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July 13, 2025

SERVICE Armenia 2025 participants spend the afternoon working hard to mix and poor cement to pave the outer walkway around the Shgharshik gym. This walkway also serves as a preventative measure for water intrusion. 

October 12, 2025

Renovation work at the Shgharshik School Gym is now complete. The gym has brand new floors, new windows, basketball hoops and ready for the children to use. 

November 11, 2025

Arevig Gabriel, who spreaheaded this wonderful project with the help of her family and friends, was able to visit and participate in the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the gym. Special thank you to all who donated and Hoops4Hayastan for their generous gift towards this project. 

Packs on Backs Armenia: Debi Arach 2024

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Description

The Packs on Backs initiative, was started by the The Heros Humanitarian Foundation (HHF), a former Los Angeles based non-profit organization that supported children in need and their educational advancement. HHF partnered with The Paros Foundation to bring their Packs on Backs initiative to Armenia, and together successfully distributed 380 backpacks and school supplies to children in Gyumri and Vanadzor in the summer of 2015 and 225 backpacks to the children at the Kharpert Children’s Home in the summer of 2016. Since then, the Packs on Backs initiative continues to impact the lives of children in need in Armenia with this essential need.

Our next distribution will be for the kids attending the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri. Socially vulnerable children attend the center after their school and receive both humanitarian and educational support through a holistic approach. The Paros Foundation established the Debi Arach Children’s Center on April 15, 2015 and has since provided children each week the necessary academic, psychological, social and humanitarian support they need to succeed. Gyumri’s devastating history has left more than 100,000 residents homeless, and plagued with unemployment and rampant poverty. These families often struggle to provide their children with life’s basic necessities; therefore making backpacks and school supplies a distant priority. Children at the center were recipients of backpacks and school supplies during our first distribution in 2015 and distributions have continued in years since. This distribution will meet the ongoing needs of all of the children. Our goal is to distribute backpacks and supplies for 180 children attending Debi Arach. A donation of $35 will help obtain one backpack filled with supplies for one child. School supplies will be grade appropriate and include a combination of pencils, pens, pencil cases, notebooks, folders, erasers, sharpeners, glue, scissors, rulers, highlighters, and crayons. In-kind donations of the items listed are also welcomed.

Region

Shirak / Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri / Գյումրի

Start Date

July 2024

End Date

July 2024

Gallery Images

Children will receive backpacks filled with several needed school supplies.

The Need

It is very difficult for a child to learn and excel in their studies without a proper backpack and essential school supplies. In addition, without the proper supplies these children are less likely to attend school on a regular basis, hence severely hindering their educational growth and minimizing future opportunities.

Short Term Impact

A total of 180 children from Gyumri’s poverty stricken communities attending the Debi Arach Children’s Center will receive either proper backpacks and school supplies or new school supplies to aid in their educational advancement. Local school supplies will be purchased whenever economically feasible in turn boosting the local economy.

Long Term Impact

Your donation to sponsor the Packs on Backs Armenia: Debi Arach project will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors of this important project will be listed on The Paros Foundation’s website and in all press related to this project. Visits to these communities can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.

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July 10, 2024

The SERVICE Armenia group assembled backpacks with necessary supplies for the next school year. The back packs will be distributed to the children of Debi Arach in Gyumri ahead of their school year beginning.

July 30, 2024

The backpacks were distributed with the help of the Dadourian and Barmakian Families to all 180 children at the Debi Arach Children’s Center. Thank you to all of the donors who made this project possible. The children are now ready for the new school year ahead of them!

Assarian Vocational Training Program

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Description

In 2016, the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri launched their vocational training program at the center in order to provide young adults with a set of skills and tools they will need to secure gainful employment and help break their family’s cycle of poverty. For years, students have participated in their choice of several programs including computer programming classes using a curriculum developed by the Union of Information Technology Enterprises, 3D printing and related software and programming, and computer repairs – both hardware and software. Since 2019, additional vocational options were added to the program including instruction for cosmetologists, hair stylists, make-up artists and manicurists. In 2021, the Hianali Beauty Center was launched as a salon that offers training classes for students, as well as public services. Furthermore, vocational courses are also offered at Digital Pomegranate and the Lentex Textile Factory, both located in Gyumri.  

In 2019, the vocational training program was renamed Assarian Vocational Training Program in honor of the Dr. Gary and Linda Assarian Family Foundation, whose generous donations underwrite the vocational training programs. 

Sponsorship towards this project will help run the vocational programs in Gyumri, including staff wages and supplies. The goal is to help hundreds of people develop a vision for a successful future, and to give them the skills they need to reach these goals. 

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

January 2024

End Date

Gallery Images

A training class at Lentex Textile Factory.



Students in gel manicure training at the Hianali Beauty Center.



Participants take computer computer courses at Digital Pomegranate.

The Need

Young adults living in extreme poverty in Gyumri, who are not interested or able to continue their higher education, have very bleak prospects for a successful future. To combat this reality, the Debi Arach Vocation Center provides job skills and aid in job placement in order to help these young adults change their lives towards a successful future by gaining real skills and securing real employment.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, students, both current and new, will participate in one of several training programs offered for the duration of a year. Four trainers will be employed and facilitate classes.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, the cycle of poverty will be broken for the newer generations in Gyumri. The new skills these young adults will gain through vocational courses will help secure great jobs and provide opportunities to change their lives. In addition, Gyumri’s economy will also benefit from additional skills being introduced to the job market.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to sponsor the Debi Arach Vocational Center will be recognized on a plaque, on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation will happily arrange a visit to the vocational center when you are in Armenia.

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August 29, 2024

Congratulations to the latest Lentex class of 15 women, including several Artsakh refugees, who have successfully completed their training and are now employed full-time at the Lentex textile factory. This achievement was made possible through the invaluable support of the Assarian Vocational Training Program, spearheaded by Dr. Gary and Mrs. Linda Assarian. We are proud of these women for successfully taking on a new venture.

September 10, 2024

Dr. Gary Assarian, was highlighted by his Alma Mater, Lake Forest College, on his and his wife Linda’s work in Armenia with The Paros Foundation! Read more about their philanthropy in Armenia here.

Meds Masrik School Improvements

Description

Meds Masrik is a village in the Gegharkunik region of Armenia. It is a border village with a population of 3,000. The Meds Masrik School has 420 children in attendance. Despite the abundance of students, the school has never had access to computers for educational purposes. With our help, the school has allocated a 650 sq. ft. classroom to be renovated and equipped with computers.

With the recent population growth because of families displaced from Artsakh, the school has a shortage of available classrooms. There are three classrooms that need major renovations to accommodate the influx of new students. 

This work will cost the following:

$7,200 for 12 computers
$6,500 for the computer classroom
$1,800 for furniture
$15,000 for three classrooms

Region

Gegharkunik

City / Village

Meds Masrik

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

Four Months After Start

Gallery Images

The Meds Masrik School principal’s office will be converted and renovated into the computer classroom.



One of the classrooms at the Meds Masrik School that needs to be renovated.



The second classroom that will be renovated.



The third classroom that needs renovations.

The Need

The Meds Masrik School services 420 children. The school needs computers and renovations on classrooms to provide the best possible environment for students’ classes.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, 420 students will enjoy new computers and learn valuable computer skills. They will also have three newly renovated classrooms that provide a clean, safe, and comfortable environment to learn.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, thousands of children will benefit from the renovations completed at the school. The children will learn lasting computer skills that can lead to careers in Armenia’s technology industry. Providing this resource to children in a border village will also give them more opportunities to learn real-life skills. 

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors of this project will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website, on a plaque at the Meds Masrik School, and in appropriate press related to this important project. Visits can be arranged to Meds Masrik for sponsors during their visits to Armenia. Naming rights are available for classroom renovations. 

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November 2024The school in Meds Masrik currently has 425 students including 45 from Artsakh, and needs additional renovations to accommodate these new students. We have already helped renovate and equip the computer classroom, the nurse’s station and three additional classrooms, but one additional wing needs a complete renovation. This wing encompasses four additional classrooms and one additional set of bathrooms. Once renovated, these classrooms will house the 4th- 8th grade students. The renovation for this wing will cost $95,000 including a new roof, furniture and heating system.January 28, 2025

On January 28, The Paros Team visited the Meds Masrik School and were happy to see the renovated wing made possible with the help of Developmental Services for Armenia and The Ararat Chapter of Homenetmen.

Debi Arach Children’s Center 2024 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 185 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 take place 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 nine 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. $92,000 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. In 2019, with the long term commitment by Dr. & Mrs. Gary and Linda Assarian (MI) the vocational training program was renamed the Assarian Vocational Training Program

https://youtu.be/idA8y2UEDp8

Region

Shirak / Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri / Գյումրի

Start Date

April 2024

End Date

March 2025

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 185 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 2024 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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April 24, 2024

On the 109th Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, Peter Abajian and The Paros Team visited the Debi Arach Children’s Center. With our staff , the children commemorated April 24th through a presentation on Armenian Genocide history.

June 26, 2024

Med-Aid Armenia 2024 visited the Debi Arach Children’s Center providing important health check-ups for the children. 

August 5, 2024

The Dadourian and Barmakian Families visited the Debi Arach Children’s Center, which they have been main supporters of since day one in 2015. During their visit, they made gata, handed out backpacks to the children, and distributed groceries to families living in domiks. We were also thrilled to show the family the site of our Paros Housing, After-School & Vocational Center, which will house our second Debi Arach location and provide apartments for 27 families.

November 12, 2024

The families of Debi Arach Children’s Center gathered for an informative night to learn more about the direction and future of the center. It was a great night with collaborative feedback from the families.