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.
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.
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https://youtu.be/z-8m4OBPIWc
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.
Aygepar is a village of 675 people located in Armenia’s Tavush region. Â The terrain is such that Azerbaijan is surrounding this village on three sides with sniper posts in the hills above. Â 53 of the village’s men work as contract soldiers guarding this important border and protecting their homes. Â Few other jobs exist in this village to support the 210 families that call Aygepar their home. Â The village does not have much land to grow crops and/or care for animals, making agribusinesses difficult to implement. Â During the Soviet Union, the village of Aygepar was built to sustain workers working at the three (now non-functioning) village factories (tobacco processing, champaign and fruit preserves and compote.)
To address the dire economic situation for Aygepar’s residents, The Paros Foundation will establish a business incubator aimed at establishing conditions to allow the start of several small businesses for local families. With proper oversight, training and guidance villages will be able to launch their businesses in sanitary conditions and take advantage of a larger marketplace. The Paros Foundation has been granted ten year usage of one of three abandoned factories for the project’s use free of charge. The Paros Foundation needs to raise a total of $75,000 to make investments in the facility and to support the launch of this important project.
The Paros Foundation will provide space to locals interested in starting their businesses rent free. In addition, Paros staff is dedicated to investigating and helping secure export opportunities for commodities and/or helping secure distribution to the marketplace.
Region
Tavush
City / Village
Aygepar
Start Date
August 2020
End Date
Eight Years From Start Date
The Need
The villagers in the border community of Aygepar need opportunities to work and to care for their families. The village does not have much land to grow crops and care for animals. Most survive with the small gardens they have at their homes. One of three abandoned factories in the village needs to be renovated to launch a Business Incubator to help provide rent-free space and technological knowledge for villages to start their businesses.
Short Term Impact
A construction crew will be immediately hired to make the necessary renovations to the building that will house the Aygepar Business Incubator. Local materials and labor will be utilized that will immediately benefit the local economy.
Long Term Impact
In the long term, village families will benefit from the businesses they are able to start through their work and ownership. The village as a whole will benefit through this increase in income from its residents. Based on the improved economic conditions, villagers will feel more secure and stable in Aygepar, and thus be less likely to consider abandoning their homes and moving elsewhere.
Sponsors Benefits
Sponsors of this project will be listed on The Paros Foundation website, in any appropriately related print or electronic promotional materials, and on a plaque at the Aygepar Business Incubator.
After more than a year of researching and planning, our team had made the decision to begin renovation of space and begin the process of job creation by launching the first of the many businesses envisioned at the Aygepar Business Incubator. We decided it would be much more beneficial for the community to have the opportunity to utilize quality, clean and secure space for their business, rather than promote any one specific business. Initial serious consideration was given to open a mushroom farm in the space, but due to the inability to attract technical expertise in the form of a project partner, it was determined that this is a much better path to follow.
August 12, 2020
A new roof was built and installed over one half of the building to allow us to launch the first businesses including a rabbit farm and fertilizer production.
 December 23, 2020
Both the rabbit farm and fertilizer projection businesses were launched this month.
The town of Abovyan in Armenia’s Kotayk region is often referred to as the northern gateway to Yerevan because of its proximity to city (about 10 miles north.) Abovyan is home to more than 34,500 residents. More than 530 children attend School #8 in Abovyan. The school is in overall poor condition. School administrators do what they can to maintain the facility, but outside assistance is needed to dramatically improve conditions throughout this school.
The school is comprised of seven building, six of which are currently being utilized. All six buildings need new roofs to prevent leakage during the wet and winter months. Most of the school’s windows need to be changed to modern, double-pane windows. The school’s boilers are 12 years old and one of them has ceased to function. The bathrooms all need to be completely renovated and transformed into modern restrooms. The large gym is also in very poor condition and needs a total remodel.
Improvements to this large school will be completed in phases. The Phase One project will include the replacement of the school’s roofing and roof support structure (as needed) over six of the buildings that are in use. Two of the buildings are in very bad condition and will be replaced immediately as soon as funding is available.
The roofs over the six buildings that are currently being used at the Abovyan School #8 are leaking and beyond repair. These roofs and much of the support structure beneath must be changed to help create a safe and comfortable environment for the children while they are at school.
Short Term Impact
In the near term, a roofing crew will replace roofs over six of the facilities buildings including new corrugated roofing, gutters, downspouts and wood supporting structure as needed. This will benefit the local economy as both materials and labor will be purchased locally.
Long Term Impact
In the longer term, children will be able to learn in a cleaner, safer environment. In addition, a new roof will help better protect the children and staff and prevent further deterioration of the facility.
Sponsors Benefits
All sponsors will be listed on The Paros Foundation website, on a plaque installed at the school and in all appropriate press materials related to this project.
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Updates: Images & Information
December 27, 2018
June 3, 2019
July 23, 2019
August 2020
October 2021
September 4, 2022
September 17, 2022
October 11, 2022
October 25, 2022
October 28, 2022
November 15, 2022
December 13, 2022
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December 27, 2018
Today our construction crew did a closer inspection of the roofs at the school. Our hope is to have enough funding in place to redo at least two of the building’s roofs as soon as weather permits.
 June 3, 2019
Our construction team arrived at the school today to begin the demolition of the roof on the first building on campus! Exciting!
 July 23, 2019
So happy to announce that our team completed the work on the roof at the first building on campus!
July 10, 2020
Work on the roof over the second classroom building at the school began today thanks to the support of several generous donors. Â
August 15, 2020
Work on the second classroom building’s roof was completed today!Â
October 15, 2021
The school’s main entrance was reroofed a several year’s ago through a government supported project. Â Unfortunately, it was done very poorly and aggressive wind damaged a considerable amount of roofing over the entrance. Â Thankfully, through the support of generous donors, our crew began the reconstruction of the third building’s roof today!
November 16, 2021
Work on the third building’s roof was completed today before the weather becomes too moist!
September 4, 2022
Demolition work has begun in the school gym. Once that is completed, the entire gym will be renovated complete with paint, windows, lighting, electrical and equipment.
February 20, 2023
The gym renovations are complete! A grand opening with performances from the students was held in celebration of its completion. Continuing with school renovations, we still need funds to renovate the locker rooms and the teacher’s office.
June 2026
Abovyan School continues to thrive thanks to the renovations completed to date, and additional funding is now needed to complete the locker rooms.
