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 have 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 expenses. Agreements will be signed passing ownership of the apartment to the chosen family, with the stipulation that until their youngest child reaches 18 years of age, the family cannot sell, rent or move. 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.
Hakop Hakopian grew up in a domik following his family losing their home in the 1988 Spitak Earthquake. Â When he got married, he worked and saved up $700 to purchase his own “domik.” Â Hakop’s domik sits beneath a power transformer and he has been told by the electric company that he must move.
Gallery Images
The Hakopyan Family before receiving their new home.
Both Hakop & his wife grew up in domiks following the 1988 Spitak Earthquake.
Hakopian Family signing the agreements prior to moving in into their new home!
The Hakopian Family after receiving their new home.
The Hakopian children get to have their own room !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
A family will be identified and an appropriate apartment will be purchased for them as soon as possible. The make shift housing unit which they currently occupy will be destroyed.
Long Term Impact
The city of Gyumri will recover parcels of land currently occupied by these make-shift housing units. In addition, the family’s mental state will improve as a direct result their new and normal home.
Sponsors Benefits
All sponsors will be recognized on all relevant press regarding this project and on The Paros Foundation website.
Updates: Images & Information
Following the successful move of Hakop and his family into their new home, Hakop joined our SERVICE Armenia 2015 volunteers to help dismantle and scrap his former “home”.
Our Donors (41)
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Mr. Barry Garapedian
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Mr. David Yaldezian
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Eric & Christina Hacopian
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Mr. Robert Davidian
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Ms. Deborah Shadovitz
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Ms. Nicole Sarkisian
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Lara, Lily & Lena Garabedian
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Ms. Kathryn Walters
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Mr. Shahen Hairapetian & Mrs. Arax Mansourian
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Mr. & Mrs. Chris & Lucy Yaldezian
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Mr. & Mrs. Harut & Rosine Der-Tavitian
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Mrs. Rose Ketchoyan
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Richard Tashjian
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Mr. & Dr. John & Ani Kedeshian
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Mr. & Mrs. David & Margaret Mgrublian
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Ms. Nancy R. Kolligian
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Vahram Gurjian
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Mr. & Mrs. Daniel & Ludmila Sahakian
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Dr. & Mrs. Hrayr & Zaroug Kabakian
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Mr. & Mrs. Robert Aram & Marianne Kaloosdian
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The Dickranian Foundation
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Mr. & Mrs. Nejde & Lilit Yaghoubian
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Mr. Daron Pogharian
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Mr. & Mrs. Zareh & Hasmig Samurkashian
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Mr. Edward Godoshian
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Mr. & Mrs. Razmik & Suzanne Abnous
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Ms. Pauline Harian
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Varoujan & Lena Altebarmakian
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Mr. & Mrs. Gary & Nina Turpanjian
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Mr. Diran Depanian
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Mr. & Mrs. Chuck & Peggy Barsam
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Catherine & Lauren Conrow
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Mr. & Mrs. Norman & Rosemary Kondy
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Mr. Nerses Kazanjian
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Dr. & Mrs. Hrayr & Zaroug Kabakian
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Anonymous
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Ms. Talar Abajian
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Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Linda Abbey , In Memory of Kenneth James Partoyan
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Mr. Diran Depanian