Donations to The Paros Foundation Projects for Prosperity are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. To sponsor a project through The Paros Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 organization (Tax ID 20-5094630), or learn more about specific projects in need of funding, please contact us using the information below.
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.
The Paros Foundation will directly oversee the renovation of the school bathroom including addressing such elements as windows, doors, flooring, lighting, paint, sinks, faucet and toilet. Whenever possible, the school staff, students and their parents will be incorporated into the classroom remodel project to help build a sense of community and personal investment.
Students need a dignified and clean restroom to use while attending school. Currently, many students have no option other than to use unsanitary restroom facilities, or, even worse, avoid using the restroom at all until they reach a more appropriate venue, which can lead to health issues in later life.
Short Term Impact
The reconstruction of a new bathroom will employ a contractor and support the local economy through the purchase of necessary building materials and fixtures.
Long Term Impact
Hundreds of children will benefit from a modern, dignified bathroom to use while attending school.
Sponsors Benefits
Donors will be recognized with a plaque installed at the school and on The Paros Foundation website.
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Video Update
July 14, 2014
Renovations work began in order to renovate the third restroom at the Hatsik Village School.
August 28, 2014
The work has been completed and the staff at the Hatsik Village school now has a new and fully functioning restroom.
The Kharpert Home for Special Children is an orphanage located in the village of Nor Kharpert serving more than 250 children with varying degrees of developmental disabilities. The orphanage is a state run facility that receives governmental support to provide these vulnerable children with their basic care and education.
Excursions for these children to amusement parks and/or other appropriate venues provide these children with both valuable community experience and needed recreation. Children with disabilities in Armenia are generally kept sheltered from society. These children do not attend school, but rather attend classes at the orphanage. It is important for both these children and society for these children to experience community life.
For each donation of $250, approximately 20 children and an appropriate number of care provides will be able to go on an excursion to Yerevan at Victory Park, or another appropriate venue for a morning or afternoon of activities including transportation, admission and snacks. Please consider supporting multiple excursions for these children.
Approximately 1,200 children live in Armenia’s 15 orphanages. While these facilities provide basic care for these children, their limited funding does not permit these children regular visits and participate in various social and cultural activities. A child with a disability has very few opportunities to visit the city and experience life outside of the grounds of the Kharpert orphanage.
Short Term Impact
The short-term impact of this project will be the employment of a bus driver, money being spent in Armenia’s local economy and most important the education and social benefits for 20 children with developmental disabilities.
Long Term Impact
This project has considerable long-term benefits for both the children and for society. Society’s attitudes towards people with disabilities will slowly begin to change as witness these children regularly and realize that society can indeed accommodate them as part of their community.
Sponsors Benefits
Your donation to the Kharpert Home for Special Children will be recognized at the Center and your name listed as a sponsor on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation stands ready to help you arrange a visit to the Kharpert Home for Special Children when you are in Armenia.
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Video Update
June 26, 2014
Children from the Kharpert Home for Special Children were taken on an excursion to Victory Park. Participants and volunteers of the SERVICE Armenia 2014 group spend the day having fun with the children and helped implement this important project.
Verin Tsakhkavan is a village with 1,115 residents in the Bert area of Armenia’s Tavush Region. This community lives on the border with Azerbaijan under the risk of sniper fire and renewed armed conflict. The facility is housed in a freestanding building that had some renovations done to it in 2004.
The Medical Center consists of two rooms totaling approximately 660 square feet. The Center needs a new awning over its entrance, new doors, running water and a bathroom. Currently they are using a wood-burning stove for heating. They have a need for storage cabinets for both medication and patient records, chairs for the waiting room. They do not have a refrigeration system for vaccinations and need a blood pressure monitor, glucose monitor, and an EKG machine.
Any partial funds received for this project will be first used to replace the damaged awning and doors, and to bring a water pipeline to the building and purchase a refrigeration system and equipment. Then funds will be allocated to EKG equipment purchases. The Paros Foundation team will work with the village administration to ensure that they support the project in as many ways as possible including donated materials, free labor and/or support services.
It is anticipated that the repairs to the medical center will take approximately 3 months depending on weather conditions.
Quality medical care is difficult to provide in Armenia’s rural areas without proper facilities and equipment. Residents have no choice but to depend on these regional medical centers for their family’s health care needs. The awning, doors and water system are items that are fundamentally needed to allow this center to operate. The furniture and basic equipment needs that are requested will allow for health care professionals to better understand the ailments and treatment for their patients.
Short Term Impact
The renovation of the Medical Center will immediately better facilitate the health needs of the residents. Resident will be able to have more of their medical needs met locally, avoiding long and costly trips to other regional medical centers for simple diagnostic work. Materials will be purchased locally whenever possible, thus providing a boost to the local economy. Two or three local workers will be hired during the renovation process and thus provide these residents short-term employment.
Long Term Impact
Citizens must have access to adequate, clean medical facilities especially for children. This renovation and equipment purchase will help meet the needs of approximately 1,000 rural patients annually.
Sponsors Benefits
All sponsors will be recognized with a plaque installed in the newly renovated areas. In addition, donors will be recognized on all relevant press regarding this project and on the Paros 100 website. Visits to the Clinic will be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.
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August 17, 2015
Due to structural problems with the existing medical center, our staff worked with the municipality to identify a better space to house the medical center. Renovation on the new space will commence in the coming days. As part of this new agreement, the village mayor agreed to provide labor to dig a trench for a new waterline to the building from the nearby kindergarten.
 October 27, 2015
Renovation of the medical center is now complete. The new space includes a newly created bathroom, patient examination room and waiting room.
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.
The Paros Foundation will directly oversee the renovation of the school bathroom including addressing such elements as windows, doors, flooring, lighting, paint, sinks, faucet and toilet. Whenever possible, the school staff, students and their parents will be incorporated into the classroom remodel project to help build a sense of community and personal investment.
Students need a dignified and clean restroom to use while attending school. Currently, many students have no option other than to use unsanitary restroom facilities, or, even worse, avoid using the restroom at all until they reach a more appropriate venue, which can lead to health issues in later life.
Short Term Impact
The reconstruction of a new bathroom will employ a contractor and support the local economy through the purchase of necessary building materials and fixtures.
Long Term Impact
Hundreds of children will benefit from a modern, dignified bathroom to use while attending school.
Sponsors Benefits
Donors will be recognized with a plaque installed at the school and on The Paros Foundation website.
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This project builds on the Sevan Youth Club’s current involvement with Homeland Handicrafts and addresses the need to recruit more artisans and offer them better education and information.
The Sevan Youth Club will hold three types of seminars: Recruiting, product themes and business seminars.
Recruiting seminars: Three times a year, the Sevan Youth Club will hold recruitment and training seminars for new artisans. These artisans will be taught the Homeland Handicrafts product-creation methodology and basic business model.
Product theme seminars: Seminars discussing product designs and themes will be held 6 weeks before each Homeland Handicrafts holiday bazaar to coordinate products and establish a strategy used by Sevan Youth Club artisans. Approximately five holiday bazaars will be held in the year.
Business seminars: Sevan Youth Club artisans will be invited to attend 3-4 seminars each year, teaching basic business, marketing and accounting techniques. The timing of these seminars will be determined by timing of other seminars and artisan availability. Seminar topics will be determined by the immediate needs of the artisans.
This project will address two important issues in the Sevan community:
Alleviating unemployment: Artisan recruitment targets those who are most in need of changing their financial situation. The recruitment seminars will be held in Sevan, specifically for Sevan-area artisans, giving them opportunities for employment.
Improving wages: Empowering local artisans through education and trainings gives artisans the knowledge and avenues to be self-sufficient entrepreneurs, helping them to escape the shackles of low-wage labor markets and exploitation.
Sevan Youth Club NGO is in need of recruiting and training local artisans for projects in connection with Homeland Handicrafts to promote employment and financial livelihood among Sevan residents. While the exact unemployment rate is unknown, it is very clear that a lack of work affects a large portion of Sevan residents. In every apartment complex, dozens of families rely on remittance payments from abroad, meager government assistance and finding odd jobs around Sevan just to scrape by. Many of these people have artisan skills in which they could use to be financially independent but do not have an avenue to become self-sufficient entrepreneurs.
Short Term Impact
An estimated 6 to 16 artisans will be recruited within one year. – All artisans will be trained in the Homeland Handicrafts product-creation methodology and basic business model. – Up to 20 artisans will be given additional business training. – Sevan Youth Club business and marketing practices will improve as the artisans’ strategies and product themes become unified before each holiday bazaar.
Long Term Impact
Alleviating poverty for several families – All artisans will have business experience and skills to utilize beyond the project’ s duration – More artisans can be assisted as the NGO’ s abilities and capacity grow – Sevan Youth Club will be a stronger NGO and capable of meeting more community needs, beyond just those of the artisans
Sponsors Benefits
Your donation to the Sevan Youth’s Club will be recognized with a plate on both the computer and projector, your name listed as a sponsor on the Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project including at all Artisan Seminars. The Paros Foundation stands ready to help you arrange a visit to the Sevan Youth Club when you are in Armenia.
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May 10, 2012
Letter of gratitude received by the peace corps volunteer stationed at the Sevan Youth Club NGO: Hi Pete, The laptop….is working great. I’ll be able to put a few programs on it this week…and when it’s ready, I’ll surprise my NGO with it. I’ll try and cat it on video again so you can see it, too. This week we just finished up our Green Camp in Sevan. It’s an environmental leadership camp for teenagers. We were able to use the projector to show the kids some great environmental documentaries. It worked out great and we’re talking about having movie night with the NGO to show the rest of the documentaries for the community. Thanks again! This is really so helpful for Sevan Youth Club! Hayley
Health care for residents living in Armenia’s remote and/or poverty stricken areas is very hard to find and difficult to afford. Residents in these communities have a high rate of health issues that could otherwise be prevented or cured if they had access to simple medical care. In order to help remedy this unfortunate situation, The Paros Foundation has launched Med Aid Armenia.
Med Aid Armenia is made up of medical professionals (practicing or in school) from the United States who are volunteering their time and skills in order to provide residents in these communities with basic medical care. The group of volunteer medical professionals will be working with Armenian’s Health Ministry as well as several doctors from Armenia. As a first step our target population will receive basic check-ups and screenings. Med Aid Armenia will provide basic medical care to children and their families living in poverty stricken communities. Basic care will include eye exams, general physicals, blood pressure exams, and blood glucose and cholesterol screenings. Following screenings, patients will either be provided with direct care or referrals for continuing care. Medication will be provided by a licensed medical professional whenever appropriate. Any surplus of medical supplies and medicine will be transferred to nearby medical clinics, and managed by our local medical partners to patients needing follow up care and medication.
Sponsorship of this project will help raise the necessary funds needed to obtain basic medical equipment, supplies and medicine. In-kind donations of any of these items are also welcomed. Furthermore, we specifically need physicians, nurses, pharmacists and more to help our volunteers conduct physical exams and provide basic medical care.
Region
Tavush, Lori, Armavir, Artsakh
City / Village
Villages throughout above regions
Start Date
Immediately
End Date
One week from start date
The Need
Health care for residents living in Armenia’s remote and/or poverty stricken areas is very hard to find and almost impossible to afford. This can cause a lifetime of medical issues, which can be otherwise prevented. Residents living in these areas are in need of basic medical aid in order to prevent serious health issues in the future.
Short Term Impact
Approximately 400 children and their families in Gyumri’s shanty towns will receive basic medical care during the Summer, 2016.
Long Term Impact
Residents of remote and poverty stricken villages will have a decreased occurrence of health issues in the future. As this program expands, repeat visits will create more access to health care and in turn increase the overall health and well being of this population.
Sponsors Benefits
Your donation to sponsor Med Aid Armenia will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website and in all appropriate press related to this important project.
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December 15, 2015
January 5, 2016
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December 15, 2015
An EKG Machine was purchased and delivered to the Hatsik Village Medical Center.
 January 5, 2016
Four fetal monitors were donated for medical centers in Armenia. Three were delivered to Artsakh and one to Yervandashat Medical Clinic.
The Heros Humanitarian Foundation (HHF), a Los Angeles based non-profit organization, supports children in need and their educational advancement. The organization was founded in 2008 by six Armenian Americans with the belief that no child should be deprived of the essential necessities needed for their education regardless of their socioeconomic status. Their mission is to provide backpacks and school supplies to children living in poverty and from low socioeconomic households around the world. Through their Packs on Backs initiative, HHF hopes to motivate children, help them stay and excel in school, and have successful futures.
The Heros Humanitarian Foundation has partnered with The Paros Foundation to bring their Packs on Backs initiative to Armenia. After the successful distribution of 380 backpacks and school supplies to children in Gyumri and Vanadzor this summer, we have decided to continue to work together and impact more children in Armenia. Together we have decided our next distribution will be for the kids living at the Kharpert Home for Special Children.
The Kharpert Home is an orphanage located in the village of Nor Kharpert currently serving 225 children with varying degrees of developmental disabilities. The orphanage is a state run facility that receives governmental support to provide these vulnerable children with their basic care and education. The Paros Foundation has worked with the Kharpert Home several times in the past implementing excursions for the children to amusement parks and/or other appropriate venues in order to provide these children with both valuable community experience and needed recreation. Of the 225 kids living at the center 55 attend local specialized schools, while the remaining 170 attend classes at the orphanage.
Sponsorship of this project will help give 55 children at the Kharpert Home regular backpacks and school supplies in addition to 225 drawstring backpacks filled with custom supplies for their specific needs. Some of the these items will include: arts & crafts supplies -beads, coloring books, crayons, puzzles, yarn, sewing kits and some minor hygienic needs- deodorant, toothpastes and toothbrushes. A donation of $30 will help obtain either 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.
Children with disabilities in Armenia are one of the most vulnerable groups of people due to the stigmas associated with having a disability and the lack of resources and programs to care for them. At the Kharpert Home, things are very different and the children receive wonderful care and support through an experienced staff and administrative team. Unfortunately, at times the aid from the government and their budget does not permit them to provide needed educational necessities and/or additional hygienic and extracurricular supplies for the children. These supplies serve as important tools for therapy, as well as educational aids.
Short Term Impact
225 children living at the Kharpert Home for Special Children will receive drawstring backpacks filled with custom supplies for their specific needs. Additionally, 55 of these children who attend school outside of the Home will also receive proper backpacks and school supplies. Local supplies will be purchased whenever economically feasible in turn boosting the local economy.
Long Term Impact
In the long term, 225 children living at the Kharpert Home for Special Children will be able to obtain supplies needed for their therapeutic and extracurricular advancements. In addition, the effects of this project will bring joy to these children.Â
Sponsors Benefits
Your donation to sponsor the Packs on Backs Armenia: Kharpert Home project will be recognized on The Heros Humanitarian Foundation 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. [vp_give_donor_wall
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June 28, 2016
August 5, 2016
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June 28, 2016
SERVICE Armenia participants assembled the backpacks to deliver to the Kharpert Home for Special Children.
 August 5, 2016
Children at the Kharpert Home received their backpacks.
Syrian Armenian Families who left Syria as a result of war, and have come to Armenia looking to resettle, need assistance. Unfortunately, the Armenian and Artsakh Governments do not have the funds to support this effort. However, the Artsakh government stands ready to help settle rural Syrian Armenian families in Artsakh’s Kashatagh Region. Once resettled, these rural families can engage in agriculture and agribusiness to care for their families as they did prior to the upheaval in Syria.
Through a government homestead program, The Paros Foundation will identify a suitable piece of property and home for a refugee family. Necessary renovations and/or reconstruction of the home will be completed using local labor and materials whenever possible. The refugee family will be identified and once the home is completed, it will be given to the family free of charge. A gifting agreement will be signed indicating that the house belongs to the family outright provided they agree to the housing program conditions.
During and following the project implementation, photos, video and information will be provided to all donors and supporters of this project. 100% of funds donated towards this project will go directly to the project and its management and implementation with no funds being used for foundation administrative purposes.
The Paros Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 organization. Donations to this project are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Our tax identification number is 20-5094630.
Syrian Armenian Families who left Syria as a result of war, and have come to Armenia looking to resettle need permanent housing. After years of war and struggling to find a place to settle down, these families made the journey to Armenia with the hope of starting their lives once again. A home and land will give these families the hope and fresh start they so desire.
Short Term Impact
A rural Syrian Armenian family will receive a place to live, grow crops, care for animals and be able to begin their lives again. A minimum of three local temporary jobs will be created during the reconstruction process of this family’s home.
Long Term Impact
Having a permanent home and ending the refugee existence for this family will have strong positive psychological effects and will hopefully reverse the effects these refugee families have faced over the last several years.
Sponsors Benefits
Donors will be acknowledged on the Paros Foundation’s website and in all relevant press related to this project.
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November 28, 2017
September 6, 2017
Due to unforeseen expenses related to reconstructing a home for a family in Artsakh, this project was adjusted to help a family settle in Armenia.
 November 28, 2017
Paros Foundation staff visited Anoush and her three children in their new home.
More than 1,200 children live in Armenia’s 15 orphanages. These facilities provide for the children’s basic needs, but their limited budgets do not allow these children to participate in visits to popular historical sites, an amusement park or concert, or attend a cultural event.
Armenia’s orphan children should have the opportunity to experience popular cultural events, exhibits, and excursions in Armenia, or simply have a fun afternoon or activity that they normally would not be able to experience. Many different activities and excursions can be organized for these children. The extent of the activity or trip is directly related to the sponsorship amount. For sponsorships amounts between $250 -$750 approximately 20 children and an appropriate number of chaperons will be able participate in a memorable activity. Please consider supporting multiple excursions for these children.
The Paros Foundation staff and volunteers will organize and oversee the excursion/activity. Opportunities to sponsor excursions for orphanages serving both disabled and non-disabled children exist. Whenever possible, our staff will work with the destination for the excursion to secure group pricing and/or discounts.
Armenia’s orphanages generally are able to provide for their children’s basic care, but limited funding does not allow these children to visit museums, historical sites and popular cultural events. Allowing a child a few hours of recreation and/or entertainment as a regular child greatly enhances his/her outlook on life and reduces the emotional complexes of being an orphan.
Short Term Impact
The short-term impact of this project will be the immediate employment of a bus driver, money being spent in Armenia’s local economy and most important the education and social benefits for 20 orphan children.
Long Term Impact
This project has considerable long-term emotion, education and psychological benefits for the children, as they will be able to participate in activities that are above and beyond basic existence in an orphanage.
Sponsors Benefits
Your support of this project will be recognized at the relevant orphanage, your name listed as a sponsor on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation stands ready to help you arrange a visit to the care facility when you are in Armenia.
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June 26, 2014
Children from the Yerevan Children’s Home were taken to an excursion at the Yerevan City Zoo. Participants and volunteers of the SERVICE Armenia 2014 group spent the day at the zoo with the children and helped implement this important project.
More than 1,200 children live in Armenia’s 15 orphanages. These facilities provide for the children’s basic needs, but their limited budgets do not allow these children to participate in visits to popular historical sites, an amusement park or concert, or attend a cultural event.
Armenia’s orphan children should have the opportunity to experience popular cultural events, exhibits, and excursions in Armenia, or simply have a fun afternoon or activity that they normally would not be able to experience. Many different activities and excursions can be organized for these children. The extent of the activity or trip is directly related to the sponsorship amount. For sponsorships amounts between $250 -$750 approximately 20 children and an appropriate number of chaperons will be able participate in a memorable activity. Please consider supporting multiple excursions for these children.
The Paros Foundation staff and volunteers will organize and oversee the excursion/activity. Opportunities to sponsor excursions for orphanages serving both disabled and non-disabled children exist. Whenever possible, our staff will work with the destination for the excursion to secure group pricing and/or discounts.
Armenia’s orphanages generally are able to provide for their children’s basic care, but limited funding does not allow these children to visit museums, historical sites and popular cultural events. Allowing a child a few hours of recreation and/or entertainment as a regular child greatly enhances his/her outlook on life and reduces the emotional complexes of being an orphan.
Short Term Impact
The short-term impact of this project will be the immediate employment of a bus driver, money being spent in Armenia’s local economy and most important the education and social benefits for 20 orphan children.
Long Term Impact
This project has considerable long-term emotion, education and psychological benefits for the children, as they will be able to participate in activities that are above and beyond basic existence in an orphanage.
Sponsors Benefits
Your support of this project will be recognized at the relevant orphanage, your name listed as a sponsor on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation stands ready to help you arrange a visit to the care facility when you are in Armenia.
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June 26, 2014
40 children from the Gavar Orphanage were taken on an excursion to the Yerevan City Zoo. Participants and volunteers of the SERVICE Armenia 2014 group spent the day at the zoo with the children and helped implement this important project.
