Purchase a Home 10 – Azizbekyan Family

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Description

Following the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, tens of thousands of people were left homeless in the City of Gyumri. Many of these families took refuge in the overseas shipping containers (domiks) that were shipped into Armenia loaded with humanitarian relief supplies, or in condemned buildings. An entire generation of children has grown up in deplorable conditions, often times with no running water and little or no heat. The Armenian government has provided most of the families that lost their homes in the Earthquake with new housing units.

As people moved out of those makeshift housing units, others moved in. The 2,500 families that remain are Gyumri’s desolate families, who are not in line to receive a government provided apartment. Many of these families are comprised of single mothers, multiple children and/or the disabled.

This project will identify suitable needy families who can be moved into a new apartment and can demonstrate that they can afford their monthly utilities, etc. This is a sustainable model in that families that have been moved into permanent housing in the past have had a high degree of success maintaining their families and their new homes.

Once the move is complete, the make shift housing unit will be destroyed to prevent its future occupancy.

The Azizbekyan family consists of six members including the Azizbekyan parents, their married son and daughter-in-law and their two children (including a newborn.)

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

October 2018

End Date

December 2018

Gallery Images

The Azizbekyan family lives in this domik.



Three generations live in the Azizbekyan family domik.

The Need

2,500 families live in the city of Gyumri in temporary, make shift housing. These units are neither safe nor sanitary. These families and their children need a normal apartment in which to live.

Short Term Impact

Immediately a family will be identified and an appropriate apartment purchased for them. The make shift housing unit which they currently occupy will be destroyed.

Long Term Impact

In addition to this family and their improved mental state changing through the fact that they will be living in a normal housing situation, the city of Gyumri itself will improve with the removal of these make shift housing units.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors will be recognized on all relevant press regarding this project and on The Paros Foundation’s website.
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November 1, 2018

The Azizbekyan Family was informed today that they have been selected to receive a new home through our Purchase a Home project. Now the hunt for a large apartment for them begins.

 December 19, 2018

We have found a great apartment for the Azizbekyan Family and will be signing the purchase contract tomorrow! Here are a couple of photos!

 December 22, 2018

The Azizbekyan Family moved into their new home today, just in time to celebrate the Christmas holidays.

Winter Coats for Debi Arach

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Description

The Paros Foundation established the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri, Armenia on April 15, 2015 with the help of generous donors. The center, which provides 150 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. Furthermore, freezing temperatures and extreme poverty have created humanitarian crisis in Gyumri as well.

One very important need, especially during the winter, is winter coats. Sponsorship towards this effort will ensure that 150 children attending the Debi Arach Children’s Center will receive warm winter coats. Dustin Hochmuth, a SERVICE Armenia 2017 participant will lead the effort in raising funds. He was able to meet the children and witness the difficult living conditions in Gyumri this summer and wants to help! With these warm winter coats these children will be able to stay healthy, and be able to continue to attend school.

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

December 2017

End Date

November 2018

Gallery Images

Children attending the Debi Arach Children’s Center are from families who cannot afford to purchase warm winter coats for their children.



The Paros Foundation works to provide warm coats and winter boots for children attending the Center.



Coats and winter boots have been distributed to needy children in Gyumri via The Paros Foundation previously.



In the past, The Paros Foundation has distributed warm winter clothing to children with the support of The Shirak Center NGO.

The Need

After the 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 not only with the proper guidance, supervision, educational aid and the financial resources for them to excel in school and have successful futures, but also with some basic humanitarian needs. Children are in need of warm winter coats to combat the freezing temperatures and extreme winter in Gyumri.

Short Term Impact

In the short-term the 150 children who attend the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri, will receive warm winter coats. The coats will be purchased from Armenia, which will benefit their economy.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, children will be able to stay warm, combat Gyurmi’s harsh winters, become sick less and stay in school.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to sponsor winter coats for the children at Debi Arach 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 Debi Arach Children’s Center when you are in Armenia.
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October 27, 2018

The winter coats were distributed to 150 children at the Debi Arach Children’s Center with the help of our Journey Through Armenia group including Dustin’s mother, Jeanne Papazian.

GOALS- The Gift of Soccer to Armenian Girls

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Description

Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer (GOALS) and empowers young girls to see themselves as Armenia’s leaders of tomorrow. They are the only NGO working in the regions of Armenia to use sport for education outside the classroom. Research shows girls who play sports have better mental health, higher confidence levels, improved teamwork and communication skills, increased graduation rates, and leadership skills. With your donation, you make all of that possible for the girls of Armenia.

GOALS directly impacts more than 2,000 girls and boys in 65 communities. Their goal is to increase their impact to every region of the country by expanding their co-ed After-School programs to 50 communities.

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.

Investing in GOALS is an investment in the future women leaders of Armenia … and remember, a little bit goes a long way.

Sponsor a League
Our leagues are designed to give young women the chance to play soccer, build confidence and teamwork skills, as well as change public perception of women’s sports. Leagues consist of a minimum of four teams with a nine or more players on each team aged 12-17. 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 of the season (March – May; September – November) for one hour per session. Teams travel and play one competitive game per week. Sponsoring a league provides all travel costs, referees, nurses, venue space, and all the equipment needed to hold trainings; jerseys, socks, footballs, cones, and pennies for an entire league. Currently we have leagues in Yeghegnadzor, Alaverdi, Goris, and Dilijan. – $3,000 (for a year).

Sponsor a Camp
It’s safe to say there are not many summer sport camp opportunities for girls in Armenia. 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, lunch, and a leadership seminar including inspiring local guest speakers follow the sessions. Camps bring together communities that often don’t interact and spark the interest that leads to more GOALS programming in the region. – $1,500

Sponsor a Team
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 and travel. We currently have 36 teams and will be creating at least ten more in 2018. Sponsoring a team supports these needs for two full seasons/1 year. – $500​

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

GOALS has already received a grant from the US Democracy Commission for part of this program, in addition to support from COAF and World Vision. The overall budget of this project is $33,500 of which they need $15,000.

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Region

Throughout Armenia

City / Village

Throughout Armenia

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

One year from start date

Gallery Images

Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer



GOALS has empowered girls through sports.



This GOALS team from Goris started in March 2016. This fall they were invited by the Football Federation of Armenia to play
in a youth tournament in Yerevan and won!

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 double their impact in 2018 and move to more regions of the country.

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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Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur Home Repair

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Description

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur (NKA) is an important border village with a population of 1,380 residents in the Bert area of Armenia’s Tavush Region. This community, whose territory connects with Azerbaijan, lives and works under a constant risk of sniper fire and renewed armed conflict each day. NKA was the single most damaged Armenian village following the Azeri conflict in the 1990’s. The economy of the village and the livelihood of many of its residents have suffered due to these difficult and dangerous times. Furthermore, 70% of their fertile land is unusable because of frequent sniper attacks. Many homes have been damaged and worn out over the years and are in need of partial renovations and repairs, including, indoor plumbing, new windows, doors and floors, roof repairs, new heating systems, and even room additions. The village is economically strained and families are in need of additional aid to care for their families, homes and livelihood.
Sponsorship of this project will help provide families with materials, technical expertise and/or the necessary labor in order to complete specific renovation projects to their homes. It is of strategic importance to support these villagers in their daily lives so that they may remain inhabitants of this village, mere footsteps from Azerbaijan.

Region

Tavush Տավուշ

City / Village

Nerkin Karmiraghbyur Ներքին Կարմիրաղբյուր

Start Date

Spring 2017

End Date

Fall 2018

The Need

Due to the remote and dangerous area in which this village is situated, residents are unable to travel for work, or establish many other economical opportunities so that they can financially provide for their families and repair their homes. Helping these families renovate and repair their homes will help improve the quality of life for their families.

Short Term Impact

In the short term the sponsored family will receive the materials, technical expertise and/or the necessary labor they need to partially renovate and repair their homes. In addition, some short-term local employment will be created benefitting the village economy.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, these families will have improved their overall living conditions through warmer, dryer, safer and cleaner homes. This will help deter emigration from the village.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors will be recognized on all relevant press regarding this project and on The Paros Foundation website. Visits to the families can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.
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May 10, 2017

Hrant Petrosyan and his family live in a “domik” or temporary shelter in the village. He has begun to build a home, but needs support. We provided the Petrosyan family with $4,000 worth of support in the form of materials to build his home and a connection to the gas network.

 May 25, 2017

Radik Israelyan and his family requested support to install gas into their home. This will be used to heat and cook with. The connection cost $2,000 because his home is 176 meters from the main connection.

 May 31, 2017

Vachik Adamyan and his family requested support to install gas into their home. This will be used to heat and cook with. The connection cost $2,000 because his home is 150 meters from the main connection.

 September 6, 2017

Arman Lalayan and his family live in a half built home. Arman has asked us for $2,500 worth of roofing materials and a new door for home along with a window.

 April 1, 2018

Vladik Ghazaryan needed a new roof to stop the rain for leaking into his families home. We provided Vladik with $2,000 worth of roofing materials and he was able to install a new roof over his entire home.

 July 4, 2018

Karen Grigoryan and his family did not have a bathroom in their home. We supplied Karen with $2,000 of materials that he needed to build a very nice bathroom for his family.

 August 16, 2018

Davit Vardanyan and his family are the first beneficiary of this project. We supplied $2,000 worth of materials for Davit to remodel his foyer and kitchen.

 August 17, 2018

Artur Galstyan received $4,500 support to build an addition for his family to house a new seating area, bathroom and hallway.

Vahan Village School Repair

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Description

The village of Vahan is located in an isolated border area north of Lake Sevan, and south of Armenia’s Tavush border communities. More than 1,000 people call Vahan their home. According to Armenianow.com residents of Armenia’s border village Vahan (meaning shield) say proudly that their village is the northeast gate, the main border-guard of Armenia. They came here from Artsvashen. This was an Armenian village within the administrative territory of Azerbaijan during the Soviet period; and Azeri villages surrounded it. Armenians left Artsvashen during the Armenian-Azeri conflict years.

The medical center was renovated in the last few years. The village kindergarten, designed for 40 children, which had been closed since 1992, was reopened in November of 2011. Residents maintain livestock and cultivate potatoes to earn a living.

The school, which has 150 students attending, is located 500 meters from the Azeri border. It has been partially renovated by several different organizations. Currently, three classrooms are in need of renovation. Sponsorship of this project will help renovate all three classrooms, including new flooring, paint, doors, windows, electrical work and refurbished furniture. There will also be minor cosmetic renovations done to the entryway of the school.

Region

Gegharkunik

City / Village

Vahan

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

Two months from start date

Gallery Images

Vahan village is located in the isolated border area north of Lake Sevan.



The village of Vahan in Armenia’s Gegharkunik region.



Vahan Village School



Classrooms are in worn out conditions and in need of new doors, windows, electrical work and refurbished furniture.



Classrooms also need new flooring and paint.

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 due to the cold. 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 the employment of at least three people to renovate the classrooms for two months and the benefit to the local economy through the order for needed supplies and classroom furniture. All materials will be purchased in Armenia, thus providing a boost to the local economy. In addition, local villagers will be hired to complete the construction work, thus providing them with temporary jobs. Three classrooms will be fully renovated.

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 teachers. When schools are in better conditions they will encourage families to stay hence, deter emigration from the village.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsorship of the Vahan Village School Repair 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 Vahan Village School when you are in Armenia.
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Video Update

July 15, 2020

A video shows the protests in Baku calling on a resumption of war with Armenia.

July 16, 2020

The kindergarten in the village of Aygepar was hit by Azeri artillery this morning. We had finished the complete renovation of this kindergarten in 2018 and will assess the damage and rebuild again as soon as possible! We build, they destroy!

 July 21, 2020

Members of The Paros Foundation team joined Tavush Governor Hayk Chobanyan, Berd Consolidated Communities head Harutyun Manucharyan, representatives of the Prime Minister’s office, and local village representatives to visit the Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur, Aygepar and Chinari communities to assess the damage and to strategize and coordinate the next steps forward.

Rind Village School Revival

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Description

The Armenia Tree Project and Paros Foundation are joining forces to dramatically improve conditions at the school in the village of Rind. Currently, more than 1,800 people live in Rind and almost 300 children attend the village school. The children do not receive a hot meal because the kitchen and cafeteria are operated from a small space located via a separate entrance behind the school. This situation makes it impossible to cook hot meals for the children. It is often cold and too difficult for the children to access this space in the rainy and snowy months.

Additionally, the school has a large yard that is barren. With the addition of irrigation, the school could accommodate 500+ fruit and shade trees. This would be a tremendous benefit economically for the village, for the environment and for the children’s nutrition.

This project would also introduce environmental education into the school’s curriculum. Age-appropriate methods will be used to teach children of the importance of caring for the environment and its benefits for society. This curriculum would be especially timely given the large and dangerous wildfire that destroyed hectares of old growth forest in the summer of 2017 in the Vayots Dzor region.

The implementation of this project will take three months and include the relocation of the kitchen and cafeteria to an available space in the main school building. New water and sewer lines will be run to the new kitchen. At the same time, water will be provided for irrigation in the schoolyard. The kitchen space will be renovated and joined to the cafeteria. New flooring and wall tiles will be installed, along with new paint and lighting. New kitchen furniture and needed appliances will be purchased and installed. New tables and chairs for the dining room will complete the renovation. Following the renovation work, 550 new fruit and shade trees will be planted at the school via a team of both students, volunteers and paid staff. The expert staff of the Armenia Tree Project will introduce environmental education curriculum to the students.

Region

Vayots Dzor

City / Village

Rind

Start Date

March 2018

End Date

May 2018

Gallery Images

The Rind Village School.

The Need

The kitchen and cafeteria at the school in the village of Rind are in terrible condition. Children are not able to benefit from a daily hot lunch because of the lack of facilities and unsanitary conditions. In addition, the schoolyard is large and spacious, but does not have many fruit trees or shady areas.

Short Term Impact

The short-term impact of implementing this project will be the immediate reconstruction of the kitchen and cafeteria, planting of trees and launch of the environmental education curriculum. Local labor, trees and materials will be utilized and purchased benefitting the local economy.

Long Term Impact

The long-term impact of this project will include the increased health and welfare of the village children as they benefit from hot meals, fresh fruit and improved environmental conditions at the school. The new environmental education classes will help future generations better manage their resources.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsorship of this project at the Rind Village School will be recognized on a plaque at the School, on The Paros Foundation website, and in all appropriate press related to this project. The Paros Foundation will happily arrange a visit to the Rind Village School for sponsors of this project.
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November 16, 2017

A fundraiser was held in New York at the Almayass NYC restaurant to celebrate the partnership between Paros Foundation and the Armenia Tree Project and to raise funds for this project.

 March 2, 2018

Work at the Rind Village School began today!

 April 27, 2018

Renovation work at the Rind Village School is progressing nicely. New doors and windows have been installed, the tile work is almost completed and minor work remains.

 May 25, 2018

Paros Foundation & Armenia Tree Project staff came together today for a ribbon-cutting celebration in the village of Rind. Today marks the opening of the newly renovated kitchen and cafeteria as well as the “Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree” environmental education curriculum by the Armenia Tree Project (ATP) at the school. ATP also planted more than 550 trees and shrubs around the school.

Excursions for Warm Hearth

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Description

The mission of Warm Hearth is to provide forever homes for people with special needs who have been abandoned and have outgrown the orphanages. Individuals with special needs are often forgotten in both Armenia and in much of the world. Warm Hearth provides care in a group-home setting that mimics family life to the extent possible and that empowers their residents to live as independently and confidently as possible. At Warm Hearth they value their residents’ social, physical, mental, spiritual and vocational development and strive to provide growth opportunities.

Warm Hearth has planned several excursions for their residents. Excursions can help provide much needed community interaction, recreation and educational opportunities. Sponsorship of this project will help cover costs for these excursions including transportation and admission (if any) for different venues, museums and churches for residents and care providers.

Region

Yerevan

City / Village

Yerevan

Start Date

February 2018

End Date

May 2018

Gallery Images

Group photo from a previous excursion and guided tour of a Yerevan city church.



Lighting a candle together.



Funding will be used to cover transportation costs to and from excursions.

The Need

Individuals with special needs are often forgotten in both Armenia and in much of the world. Those who have been abandoned and have outgrown orphanages need a safe and loving home that will preserve and protect their dignity, choices, fulfillment, privacy and independence. Warm Hearth has been that place for their residents and is in need of financial support in order to continue to further enhance the quality of life through different methods including excursions.

Short Term Impact

Warm Hearth will take their residents on several excursions for the duration of four months.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, residents’ quality of life will be more enhanced and fulfilled through experiences with their community and culture.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to Warm Hearth will be recognized at their home 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 Warm Hearth when you are in Armenia.
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Kharpert Home for Special Children Excursion 14

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Description

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.

Region

Ararat

City / Village

Nor Kharpert

Start Date

July 20, 2022

End Date

July 20, 2022

The Need

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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July 6, 2022

Participants and volunteers of the SERVICE Armenia 2022 group with kids and young adults of the Kharpert Home for Special Children during a fun afternoon excursion at Victory Park. 

Orphaned Children’s Day Excursion 14

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Description

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.

Region

Vanadzor

City / Village

Lori

Start Date

July 2017

End Date

July 2017

Gallery Images

Our SERVICE Armenia 2017 group along with the children from the Vanadzor Orpahanage ready for a fun day at Victory Park.



Kids from the Vanadzor Orphanage enjoying the rides at Victory Park with our SERVICE Armenia
2017 group.



Enjoying the day and making friends.



More rides with new friends.



Thumbs up to a great day!

The Need

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 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 relavent 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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July 21, 2017

Children from the Vanadzor Orphanage were taken to an excursion at Victory Park. Participants and volunteers of the SERVICE Armenia 2017 group spent the day enjoying the rides and implementing this important project.

 

Kindergarten Renovation in Aygepar

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Description

Armenia’s northeastern border communities live under the watchful eye of Azeri snipers. In many of these villages, more than 50% of the land remains unusable (both for cultivating and grazing) due to its proximity to the border. In other villages, inadequate infrastructure left over from Soviet times has created unbearable conditions for families to live, learn and work. Many of the husbands and fathers in these communities are heroes–serving as contract soldiers protecting our borders in their villages– while others work as seasonal migrant workers in Russia. Prosperity and our Nation’s security go hand in hand.

As part of the Paros Foundation’s Prosperity on the Border initiative, The Foundation has identified the kindergarten in the village of Aygepar as a needed infrastructure improvement project. Aygepar Village is located in a peninsula jutting into Azerbaijan in a valley surrounded on three sides by Azeri military posts in Armenia’s Tavush region. Almost 500 people call Aygepar their home. The village’s kindergarten was in direct line of site from Azeri snipers and was partially unusable until The International Red Cross built a security wall to protect the children. Other organizations implemented partial poor quality renovations to the kindergarten, but the majority of the building including roof repairs remains unmet.

The kindergarten currently serves almost 20 children. Partial renovations to the building have been completed by various organizations, however the roof, floor and kitchen and bathroom need complete renovation. In addition, one large room will be renovated and converted into an indoor playground for the children’s use.

Aygepar’s Mayor stands ready to assist with contributed labor to help realize this important project for the village.

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Region

Tavush

City / Village

Aygepar

Start Date

May, 2017

End Date

Spring, 2018

Gallery Images

Bullets frequently hit the building and broke windows at the kindergarten.



The kindergarten’s bathroom.



One of the classrooms in need of renovation.



Aygepar’s kindergarten kitchen in poor condition.



One of the interior doors pieced by a bullet.

The Need

The kindergarten in the village of Aygepar needs renovation. Specifically the kitchen, bathroom, playroom and roof and flooring throughout most of the building must be addressed. Once completed, children and their families in the village will be able to take full advantage of early education in a safe, clean and comfortable environment.

Short Term Impact

Village kindergarten-aged children will benefit from the advantages of early education in a clean, safe and comfortable environment. The local economy will benefit from the purchase of local materials and labor for the construction.

Long Term Impact

Improving the infrastructure in Aygepar is important. With a modern kindergarten, hundreds of children will benefit through their attendance. Families in Aygepar will take pride in their kindergarten and this may even assist with population growth in the village.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsors of the renovation at the Aygepar Kindergarten will be recognized on a plaque installed at the Kindergarten, on Paros Foundation website and in all related press to this important project.
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Updates: Images & Information

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October 14, 2017

The interior renovation work at the kindergarten is complete and classes have resumed. The work to beautify the garden and playground will be completed in the early spring of 2018.

 August 13, 2018

Today the village gathered to celebrate the official completion of the renovation at the kindergarten! The Badishkhanian family, who helped sponsor the renovation attended the ribbon cutting! Thank you again to the Badishkhanian, Atamian and Balian families for supporting this important project for the people in Aygepar!