Border Home Renovation-Varsik V.

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Description

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is an important border village with a population of more than 1,100 residents in the Berd area of Armenia’s Tavush Region. This community remains under constant risk of sniper fire and renewed armed conflict. NKA was the single most damaged Armenian village during 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 conditions. In particular, 70% of their fertile land is unusable because of frequent sniper attacks. Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is a beneficiary village of the Paros Foundation’s Prosperity on the Border Initiative. With major financial support of Jean-Marie Atamian and his family over the last ten years, much of the village’s infrastructure has been completely rebuilt and improved including, but not limited to, its large secondary school, expanded kindergarten, medical center, emergency services building and water distribution system. In addition, several families have benefited from agribusiness and animal husbandry projects. Having funded the rebuilding of NKA’s infrastructure, the Atamian family is now focusing its attention on the reconstruction of severely damaged houses to provide decent and safe homes for deserving families in the village. Since 2012, a variety of work (ranging from $2,500 to $30,000) has taken place on more than 20 homes in the village.  

Varsik Vardanian lives with her son, daughter-in-law and four young grand-children. 

Vahe is a contract soldier, guarding the border in two- week shifts each month.  Varsik is retired.  They live in a large home of about 2,250 square feet.  They have one cow, two calves and a pig.  They also have a large plot of land near their home for the family garden.  Their home needs to be completely remodeled including a new roof, new windows, heating system, bathroom, kitchen and a full interior remodel.  This will allow the family to leave in clean, sanitary and comfortable conditions.  

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur

Start Date

August 2022

End Date

October 2022

Gallery Images

Varsik V. and her family live in this large home in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur.



Varsik’s home has several significant cracks in the walls that create unsafe conditions.



Cracks exist in the walls throughout Varsik’s home.



One of Varsik’s four grand-children that live in their home.



The part of the exterior wall at Varsik’s home is unfinished.

The Need

Varsik V.’s home needs to be completely renovated to help this border family live in a clean, safe and comfortable environment.  

Short Term Impact

In the short term, work will be done to renovate this home.  The local economy will benefit as materials and labor will be secured locally whenever possible.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, Varsik’s family will thrive in their new home and the community as a whole will benefit as conditions in their community continue to improve. 

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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August 2, 2022

Renovation on Varsik V.’s home in the border village of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur starts. 

October 26, 2022

Home renovations are complete! The family will shortly move into their newly renovated home. 

Scholarship for a Sustainable Future: Nina A.

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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 Nina A., with a scholarship that would reduce her out of pocket cost towards her education. Nina was born in 2003 in Gyumri. Her family consists of five people; her mother, father, two brothers and her. Nina’s father doesn’t have a permanent job. He travels back and forth to Russia for a seasonal jobs. Her mother is not employed. They receive a social stipend from the government. Nina is the first person in her family pursuing a university degree. She is a freshman in the journalism department at the Shirak State University.

Nina joined Nor Luyce in 2016. Currently she is the president of Nor Luyce alumni group. Nina is honest, trustworthy and hardworking. She is patient and doesn’t get scared when facing challenges. Nina is a responsible and active mentee. When joining Nor Luyce program, Nina was very shy and introverted, however, with the help of the program Nina gained a number of skills and knowledge. 

Currently,  Nina needs our support in getting her degree because her family is socially vulnerable. The requested scholarship funds will help Nina continue her studies and cover the costs of her tuition, books, stationaries, and her transportation fee for one year.

https://youtu.be/PPcev6oYeHo

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

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

Nina A. will receive the financial support she needs, in a form of a scholarship, covering the costs of her college tuition, books, stationaries, 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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Scholarship for a Sustainable Future: Aida V.

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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 Aida V., with a scholarship that would reduce her out of pocket cost towards her education. Aida was born in Hatsik village in Armenia. Her family consists of five people, her father, mother, brother, grandparent and her. Aida’s father works in agriculture. Her mother works at the school. Aida’s brother participated in the 44-day war with Azerbaijan during which he was wounded. Currently he is still serving in the army at the border.

Aida is studying in the Armenian-English translation department at the Shirak State University. She is in her first year. Aida joined Nor Luyce in 2018. At that time she lacked self-confidence and had low self-esteem. However, she has successfully completed all her phases at Nor Luyce and is a Nor Luyce alum. Thanks to Nor Luyce, Aida has become self-confident, can express her opinion easily and she has developed leadership skills. All these years, Aida has been one of the best mentees, participated in all the meetings and events. Currently she volunteers at Nor Luyce helping the staff in different activities. She also gave a number of presentations on bullying at various communities in the Shirak Region. 

Currently, Aida needs our support in getting her degree because her family is socially vulnerable. The requested scholarship funds will help Naira continue her studies and cover the costs of her tuition, books, stationaries, and her transportation fee.

https://youtu.be/rK9i0kahHMY

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

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

Aida V. will receive the financial support she needs, in a form of a scholarship, covering the costs of her college tuition, books, stationaries, 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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Verishen Kindergarten Expansion & Rebuild

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Description

The village of Verishen is located in Armenia’s Syunik Region and is part of the Goris administrative district.  The village is home to more than 2,200 residents.  The community has a large kindergarten that operates three groups with almost 90 children.  There are more than 40 additional children waiting to attend the kindergarten, however space limitations prevent them for opening two additional groups and accepting these children into the kindergarten.  In addition, the existing building is in overall poor condition and needs a complete cosmetic remodel including a new kitchen and new bathrooms throughout to improve the sanitary conditions of the facility. 

Region

Syunik

City / Village

Verishen

Start Date

October 2021

End Date

December 2022

Gallery Images

The existing balconies at the Verishen Kindergarten will be reinforced and rebuilt into two additional classrooms.



The kindergarten in Verishen currently operates for 90 children, but more than 40 additional children are waiting to join the kindergarten once the expansion and renovation is completed.



The current conditions in the Verishen Kindergarten are unsanitary and the existing building needs a full renovation.

The Need

More than 40 children are waiting to attend kindergarten and receive the benefits of early education in the village of Verishen.  However, the existing building is too small and in too poor a condition to accept these additional children.  Once expanded, the existing building needs to also be fully renovated to improve the sanitary conditions within the facility.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, the expanded and renovated kindergarten will add two additional groups of children (40+) and will hire additional staff to work at the kindergarten.  Local work crews and material suppliers will benefit economically  during the construction.  

Long Term Impact

In the long term, more than 130 children will benefit from the new and sanitary conditions within the kindergarten.  New teachers will benefit economically from the new staff positions.  Parents in the village will also benefit from their children attending the kindergarten.

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 this community can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.

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October 1, 2021

Work began on the reinforcing and expansion of the two balconies at the kindergarten in the village of Verishen.

February 15, 2022

With the structural work on the exterior of the balcony expansions completed, work has begun on the inside of the four new classrooms.

April 18, 2022

The first phase of expanding the school is complete. The second phase of renovating four new classrooms continues.

December 19, 2022

With renovations wrapping up, final aesthetic touches are made to the building. This includes the locals volunteering to paint the outside of the kindergarten to make it more beautiful.

December 25, 2022

The Verishen Kindergarten’s renovations have been successfully completed! A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening, and the kindergarteners were excited to see their new kindergarten.

Kharpert Home for Special Children Excursion 20

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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 basic care and education.

Excursions 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 that they 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

Yerevan

City / Village

Nor Kharpert

Start Date

October 2022

End Date

October 2022

The Need

Several homes in these frontier communities were damaged to varying degrees and need immediate repair. Villagers need to know that the diaspora stands with them in this time of need.

Short Term Impact

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.

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 people witness these children regularly and realize that society can indeed accommodate them as part of their community.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation towards the Kharpert Home for Special Children’s Excursion project will be recognized 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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October 6, 2022

Residents of the Kharpert Home for Special Children went on an excursion to a Lake Sevan camp. They had a fun week of swimming and lakeside activities.

Orphaned Children’s Day Excursion 22

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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

Throughout Armenia

City / Village

Throughout Armenia

Start Date

July 6, 2022

End Date

July 6, 2022

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 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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July 6, 2022

Participants and volunteers of the SERVICE Armenia 2022 group accompanied children from the Yerevan Children’s Home during a fun afternoon excursion at the Yerevan Zoo.

Debi Arach Children’s Center 2022 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 eight 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. $82,000 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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idA8y2UEDp8

Region

Shirak / Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri / Գյումրի

Start Date

April 2022

End Date

March 2023

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 2022 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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July 9, 2022

Med-Aid Armenia visits Debi Arach providing checkups for the children to keep them healthy and catch any potential health issues.

December 23, 2022

Today the children of Debi Arach celebrate Christmas with lunch, carols, and a special visit from Santa Claus!

Khndzoresk School Multipurpose Room Renovation

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Description

The village of Khndzoresk is located in Armenia’s Syunik Region, south of Goris near Artsakh.  More than 2,000 people live in Khndzoresk.  The school is home to more than 300 children.  Several years ago, The Paros Foundation worked at this school to renovate seven restrooms for use by the students and staff.

The school’s auditorium is in very poor condition.   Old and broken windows and insufficient heating make this space unusable in the cold winter months.  Students from nearby villages also come to Khndzoresk to take their college entrance exams because other schools in the area do not have a large space like this at the school’s disposal.  

Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte, who’s grandfather was from this village, has taken a special interest in the school.  She, along with her supporters, wish to renovate this space into a fully functioning multipurpose room that students can use year-round.

Work to the auditorium will include new and reconfigured windows, heating, flooring, ceiling and new electrical.  New auditorium  seating, artwork and audio visual technology will complete this space.  

Region

Syunik

City / Village

Khnsoresk

Start Date

February 2022

End Date

June 2022

Gallery Images

The stage in the auditorium at the Khndzoresk school.



The auditorium at the Khndzoresk school needs a complete renovation.

The Need

The auditorium in the Khndzoresk Village School is overall poor condition and completely not usable in the winter because of a lack of sufficient heating.  The space needs to be renovated to create a safe, clean and comfortable environment for the children to assemble. 

Short Term Impact

Renovation work will lead to a modest boost to the locale economy as labor and materials will be purchased locally whenever possible.  

Long Term Impact

Once renovated, this new and comfortable space will lead to more student involvement at the school in such subjects as music, art, theater and dance.  The space will also help with regional competitions and college entrance testing.  

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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February 5, 2022

Demolition work begins at the school’s auditorium.

March 1, 2022

Two windows were closed and the rest were made smaller to both allow for sufficient heating and natural light.

March 7, 2022

A new tray ceiling and led lighting will create both excellent acoustics and a beautiful aesthetic. 

June 23, 2022

Construction on the auditorium is finished! An opening was held where students performed in the new auditorium. Anna Astvatsaturian, who spearheaded this project, was present and spoke at the opening.

Assarian Vocational Training Program 2021-2023

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Description

The Paros Foundation established the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri, Armenia on April 15, 2015. The center, which provides over 180 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.

In 2016, Debi Arach 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. Students participate in their choice of several programs including computer programing 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. In 2019, additional vocational options was added to the program including instruction for cosmetologists, hair stylists, make up artists and manicurists and the eventual launch of the Hianali Beauty Center. The salon is run as a social enterprise open to the public for services as well as training classes for students. 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 2021

End Date

December 2023

Gallery Images

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, 50 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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February 6, 2021

Today our team visited the Lentex Textile factory where Assarian Vocational Training Program participants are training to be seamstresses.

June 25, 2021

Participants are starting training at Digital Pomegranate where they will learn skills in software and programming, computer repairs, and many more useful computer skills. 

August 29, 2021

Construction on the Hianali Beauty Center is complete!

September 27, 2021

SERVICE Armenia 2021 Young Professionals visits Digital Pomegranate to learn about the Assarian Vocational Training Program.

October 17, 2021

Today the first hairstyling training at the Hianali Beauty Center was held. We are excited for participants to take many more training classes at the center. 

October 25, 2021

The Hianali Beauty Center is open! A ribbon cutting was held to celebrate the momentous occasion and vocational training participants showcased the skills they have already learned at the Hianali Beauty Center. This joyous occasion marks the beginning of valuable skills learned at the Hianali Beauty Center.

July 12, 2022

SERVICE Armenia 2022 visits the Hianali Beauty Center to learn more about the Assarian Vocational Training Program.

October 21, 2022

Today participants from the Hianali Beauty Center Assarian Vocational Training program graduated the program. They were joined by the Paros Team that threw the graduates a party to celebrate their accomplishment.

Purchase a Home 28 – Tonoyan 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 or so 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.

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

Two months after start date

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 website.

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