Kindergarten & Preschool for Paruyr Sevak Village

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Description

The village of Paruyr Sevak was founded in 1978 and named after the famous poet Paruyr Sevak.  The village is located in the Ararat Region and is near the border of Nakhchivan and occasionally receives cross border sniper fire.  Almost 600 people live in the village of Paruyr Sevak.  Currently 16 children attend the preschool.  The village does not have a working kindergarten, nor an appropriate public gathering space for events and activities.  There is no gas infrastructure in the area, so families burn wood or use electricity to heat their homes and public buildings.  Improvements were recently made to the drinking water infrastructure for homes in Paruyr Sevak.  Irrigation water continues to be a problem for the village and dramatically effects their ability to farm.

The goal of this project is to rebuild several wings of the building that currently houses the preschool.  This will facilitate three major things for the village.  First, it will allow for the expansion for the preschool to accommodate additional children who are not attending due to the current poor conditions.  Second, it will allow the village of Paruyr Sevak to establish a kindergarten for the village.  Currently the village has 33 children awaiting the establishment of a kindergarten.  This will help these children receive the benefits of early education.  Finally, the renovation of a large assembly hall will allow the village to have an appropriate space to gather for various meetings and community activities.

This project will be implemented in phases as funding becomes available.  The first phase will include the renovation of the second story preschool space and will cost $18,500.  The second phase will include the renovation of the first story kindergarten space and the adjacent kitchen and will cost $28,500.  The third and final phase will include the renovation of the main entryway, the community assembly hall and the building’s entry courtyard and will cost $22,000.

Region

Ararat

City / Village

Paruyr Sevak

Start Date

May 2019

End Date

Gallery Images

The kindergarten and preschool in the village of Paruyr Sevak occupy approximately half of this building.



The building in Paruyr Sevak houses the kindergarten and future preschool and community hall.



The bathrooms in the kindergarten building were partially remodeled, but never completed.



Broken windows and a leaky roof has caused a considerable amount of damage
to the upper floor.



One of the classrooms on the upper floor of the kindergarten building in Payuyr Sevak.



The head of the Paruyr Sevak community shows Paros staff the damage relating to the roof leaks in the kindergarten.



The main entrance to the building is currently not used and needs to be renovated.



Once renovated, the second floor assembly hall will be a very good addition to the Payuyr Sevak community.



The kitchen will serve both the kindergarten and the preschool once renovated.



The head of the Payuyr Sevak community shows Paros Staff the direction of Azeri sniper fire from Nakhchivan.



This room once served as the auditorium and assembly room for the community of Paruyr Sevak. Once renovated, it will again fulfill, this important role both for the children as well as the community at large.



The upstairs hallway will be renovated as part of the work on the preschool in the village of Paruyr Sevak.



The grounds outside of the kindergarten building will also be renovated to
serve as a beautiful park space for the community and a playground for the
children.

The Need

The village of Paruyr Sevak has a small working preschool that needs renovation in order to better serve the community. In addition, children currently do not have a kindergarten to attend. The community as a whole does not have an appropriate assembly hall to meet for various events and activities.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, all of the preschool and kindergarten aged children will benefit from the newly renovated facilities. Additional jobs will be created at both the preschool and kindergarten, and during the reconstruction phase of the building. Materials will be purchased locally whenever possible, to help the local economy.

Long Term Impact

In the longer term, children in the village will benefit from early education and the villagers will have an appropriate space for community gatherings and events.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors of this project will be listed on The Paros Foundation website, on a plaque at the building’s entrance in Paruyr Sevak, and in any press related to this important project. Visits to the village can be arranged for sponsors and their families during visits to Armenia.
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May 19, 2019

Work began today on the second floor classroom spaces that will house the new pre-school.

 July 16, 2019

Work is completed on the second floor classroom space. Now the crew is beginning the phase two work which includes the new main entrance, staircase, hallway and kitchen.

 September 5, 2019

Today the Piligian and Hamparian families who are the primary sponsors of this project, visited the village of Paruyr Sevak and sponsored a gala celebration for the work that has been completed to date!

 January 13, 2020

With work on phase two nearing completion, our work crew has begun the renovation of the first floor kindergarten space.

 February 29, 2020

After a considerable amount of research, our Paros staff concluded the most effective heating system for this large building is an electricity fired boiler and radiators to heat all newly renovated spaces. Our heating specialist was able to tie in the existing partial solar heating system for additional benefit.

 March 7, 2020

The work on the first floor kindergarten classroom spaces is also complete and the crew is now working on the second floor auditorium.

 April 9, 2020

Today our crew finished the interior work. The children will return to both the kindergarten and the newly opened pre-school as soon as the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. We will continue to work with the project sponsors to tackle the work on the grounds next.

July 9, 2021

Today our SERVICE Armenia participants spent the day at P. Sevak helping paint some of the verandas in the playground space.  Thanks to participant’s donations, these structures were rebuilt and will offer both students, staff and families shelter from the heat!  

August 27, 2021

Thanks to the generous continued support from the Piligian and Hamparian families, the village’s medical center, which is located next to the kindergarten’s kitchen, is being renovated!  Work began today and should be completed within a few weeks.  

July 29, 2024

The Paros team visited the Payrur Sevak Kindergarten and Pre-School to spend time with the children. 

Ghoghanj Nor Nork – 2019-2020 Funding

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Description

The Ghoghanj Children’s Center located in the Kentron of Yerevan provides afterschool and summer school programs for approximately 60 children every month. Children who attend the Center are loosely defined as “at risk.” These children typically come from very poor households, often times with a single head of household, who cannot pay for such assistance. The goal of the Ghoghanj Children’s Center is to provide the necessary academic, psychological and social support to ensure that the children attending mature to well adjusted, successful, young adults.

In order to further impact more “at-risk” children, the Center has identified a need for this model to be replicated and offered to other communities in Armenia. Through the generous support of the Dadourian Foundation, a second center for “at-risk” children was opened in 2014 in the Nor Nork neighborhood of Yerevan to provide support to 85 additional children annually. The new center has provided students the same core classes daily (English, Russian, Computer, Design, Painting, Theater and Dance) as the Ghoghanj Children’s Center – Kentron. The goal of this project is to broaden the services offered to socially vulnerable children and families in other communities and provide them with the proper support and guidance needed to excel in school and become self-confident and respectful young adults.

Amount will include rent, utilities, teacher salaries, maintenance and additional improvements, and supplies.

https://youtu.be/lI1AwdYMja8

Region

Yerevan / Երևան

City / Village

Nor Nork / Նոր Նորք

Start Date

September 2019

End Date

August 2020

The Need

Children living in the community of Nor Nork in Yerevan are in need of additional guidance through social, psychological and academic support. A second center for these kids has been opened and needs financial support in order to cover operational costs for the following school year 2019-2020.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, sponsorship of this project will help continue to employ teachers, and provide 85 children in the Nor Nork neighborhood of Yerevan with their needed tutoring and guidance.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, this project has the potential of impacting the lives of 85-100 at-risk students by helping them gain the guidance and support they need in order to create greater future opportunities, and become successful individuals and good citizens.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to fund the operational costs for the 2019-2020 school year for Ghoghanj-Nor Nork 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 happily arrange a visit to the center when you are in Armenia.
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October 6, 2019

Students from the Ghoghanj Children’s Center attended the Digitec Expo 2019 annual exhibition and presented their work.

 March 12, 2020

Following the order of the Prime Minister, the Ghoghanj Children’s Center will be temporarily closed due to Covid-19 until further notice.

Purchase a Home 14 – Matevosyan 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 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.

The Matevosyan family has been identified as a family in need of a new home.  Marina, her husband Gevorg and their three children have lived in this domik since Marina and Gevorg purchased it for $1,200 nine years ago.  Gevorg works as a contract soldier and is currently stationed at the border with Azerbaijan.  The family has no running water and their domik is infested with rats. Once the move is complete, the make shift housing unit will be dismantled to prevent its future occupancy.

Region

Shirak Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri Գյումրի

Start Date

January 2019

End Date

March 2019

Gallery Images

The Matevosyan family outside of their domik.



The Matevosyan family has no running water inside their domik because the line was recently destroyed.



Gayane, who is eight years old was attacked by rats while she was sleeping
in her bed.



Marina and her three children in their 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 new apartment will be sought out and purchased for the Matevosyan family. The make shift housing unit which they currently occupy will be dismantled as soon as the family has been moved into their new home.

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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Video Update

February 8, 2019

Today the Paros team along with our friend, Vahan Tumasyan from the Shirak Center told the Matevosyan family the good news that they were selected to receive a new home. Marina called her husband, Gevorg and gave him the good news. Gevorg is stationed at a post on the Azeri border and is due home from his shift in twelve days.

 March 29, 2019

Today The Matevosyan Family became home owners! They signed the purchase contract at the Notary and the gifting agreement with the Paros team.

 April 3, 2019

Moving day! The Matevosyan family said good bye to their old domik and opened a new chapter to their lives. Congratulations!

Debi Arach Children’s Center 2019 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 170 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 have begun 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 four 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. $77,000 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.

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Region

Shirak Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri Գյումրի

Start Date

April 2019

End Date

March 2020

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 170 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 2019 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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June 28, 2019

The Paros Foundation’s Service Armenia 2019 group came to visit Debi Arach and implement the Packs on Backs Armenia: Debi Arach project, distributing backpacks full of school supplies to all of the students. The backpacks are important for students as they ensure that no student is left behind due to inadequate school supplies. The SERVICE 2019 group will return soon to spend one of their work days doing minor renovations and paint work at the center.

 July 1, 2019

The Paros Foundation’s Mobile Dental Clinic arrived at Debi Arach to treat the students throughout the month of July with free dental care and treatment.

 October 9, 2019Thanks to a generous second donation to underwrite the vocational training programs at the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri from the Dr. Gary and Linda Assarian Family Foundation, Debi Arach is proud to announce the re-naming of this program as the Assarian Vocational Training Program.
November 1, 2019

Today, Debi Arach had an amazing fall mini-excursion at a local park. Students split up into groups, some picking up trash and cleaning the park, some writing poetry, and some doing arts and crafts. It was a great day not only doing good for the community, but also appreciating nature.

 November 7, 2019

Debi Arach now has a small library for students with over 100 books in Armenian, English, and Russian. Classes have been extended two days a week to allow for some independent reading time.

 November 12, 2019

As a part of Debi Arach’s career fair program and focused on the profession of law, 20 students were given the rare opportunity to visit a court. The president of the Universal Court of the Shirak Marz, Gagik Hovhannisyan, spoke about the judicial process and how a court case works. Students received a full tour of the area and learned so much about what lawyers do.

 December 13, 2019

Debi Arach had a special visit from the Armenian EyeCare Project. They performed 19 eye exams for students who exhibited sight problems, 12 of which will be fitted for glasses. Thank you Armenian EyeCare Project!

 March 9, 2020

The Debi Arach Children’s Center and as well as the Assarian Vocational Training Program have temporarily closed due to Covid-19 following the order of the Prime Minister and until further notice. We are dedicated to providing consistent meals, psychological support, and structured in-home learning to the youth. Although the facility is currently closed, we are working hard to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of all students and staff. We have also committed to continue paying our staff during the closure. We are working closely with our on-staff psychologist, who is checking in with the kids each week to help them navigate their lives during this challenging time. We want to make sure the students still receive consistent, adequate nutrition so we are providing food packages for all families of Debi Arach with guidelines on safety protocols for receiving and cleaning the items.

Kick Like a Girl!

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Description

Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer (GOALS) is the only NGO working across Armenia to use sports for social change outside the classroom. Girls who play sports exhibit higher confidence levels, better mental health, improved teamwork and communication skills, increased graduation rates, and leadership skills. GOALS directly impacts more than 2,500 girls and boys in 65 communities.

Meet Tatevik Movsisyan. The first player from a GOALS league to join the Armenian Women’s Under-19 National Team. Tatevik’s passion for soccer began when she was eight years old watching boys play soccer in their village field and dreamt of taking part in it. However, it seemed like an impossible dream for her because of the stereotypes in her village. Then, at the age 11, she was nominated best soccer player in her village during a soccer tournament. Shortly thereafter, she joined the GOALS Achajur team. It was strange at first for the village to accept the idea of a girls’ team. As the league continued, her father even observed her practices and started to recognize her skills, slowly changing his mentality. Since GOALS arrived, there has been a transformation in her village. More girls want to join the team and boys accept and encourage girls to play soccer. Tatevik feels more confident and dedicated. She wants to continue her studies in sports and soccer, with a dream of becoming a referee. Without GOALS, she does not think she would have these opportunities or aspirations.

 

Region

Kotayk

City / Village

Charencavan, Hrazdan, Fantan, Karenis, Abovyan & Alapars

Start Date

October 2018

End Date

January 2019

All donations for this fundraiser will help GOALS create the opportunity for young girls to reach their goals, both in soccer and in life.Your donations will fund existing leagues, camps, teams and players, as well help to expand into new rural areas across Armenia. Your contribution will also help train more coaches in the use of “sport for social impact” curriculum in Armenia.

Through your generous donations GOALS will:

● Cover all costs related to the leagues: travel, referees, nurses, and venue spaces, and all the equipment needed to hold training sessions (jerseys, socks, footballs, cones and pinnies).
● Permit girls to travel to Yerevan to be a part of competitive matches and cross-cultural events, introducing local youth to diaspora Armenians and exposing participants to different perspectives and ideas, and broadening their horizons.
● Support tournaments between the regions to motivate girls to increase their soccer skill levels and increase their confidence in participating in tournaments outside of their region.
● Empower a new generation of leaders to take New Armenia forward by creating a network of strong girls in the region and allowing them to build new friendships, teamwork, and skills to compete.
● Provide professional training and guidance in media (sports journalism), coaching and refereeing, allowing young people to practice their skills and get experience in the scope of GOALS programs across Armenia.

Sponsor a League- $3,000
GOALS leagues are designed to give young women aged 12-17 from under-resourced areas the chance to play soccer and build confidence and teamwork skills, as well as change public perception of women’s participation in sports. The annual cost of a league is approximately $3,000, which will fund:
● Equipment for the teams (jerseys, socks, footballs, cones, and pinnies for an entire league)
● Training with coach minimum once a week (minimum 1 hour)
● Traveling costs
● Referees
● Nurses
● Venue space
Currently, GOALS has soccer leagues in 7 regions of Armenia: Yeghegnadzor, Alaverdi, Goris, Dilijan, Artik, Armavir and Gegharkunik.

Sponsor a Camp – $1,500
GOALS soccer leadership summer camps are implemented in impoverished rural areas in order to excite the community,motivate the girls to continue playing soccer, and challenge existing steretypes within the communities.
GOALS Summer camps consist of :
● Sport-for-social-impact games addressing gender equity, tolerance, diversity, human rights and healthy lifestyle
● Technical drills
● Leadership seminar (Guest speakers)
● Nutritious lunch
Camps bring together communities whose residents often don’t interact and spark the interest that leads to more GOALS programming in the region. Since 2016 GOALS has conducted 10 camps impacting more than 500 girls and boys.

Sponsor a Team – $500
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
● Traveling costs
We currently have 42 teams and will be creating at least ten in the coming year. Sponsoring a team supports these needs for two full seasons/one year.

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

You can visit the GOALS website to find out more about how your charitable contributions are helping GOALS to spread their impact: www.goalsarmenia.org

GOALS needs supporters of every kind — donations, fundraiser sponsors, and volunteers. If you are interested or have questions about where and how GOALS works we encourage you to contact GOALS directly at Lorik@goalsarmenia.org.

Gallery Images

Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer Logo

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, Media, Coach and Referee trainings, 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 launch a new league in the Kotayk region, which will become their eighth league.

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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Restroom for Tsoghamarg Village Events Hall

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Description

The Women for Development NGO (WFD NGO) was founded in Gyumri in 1997. Since its establishment the organization has been implementing educational, health care and community development projects in the villages of the Shirak region. Their mission has been to mobilize these communities through increasing community involvement and education.

One of the villages that the WFD NGO is involved with is Tsoghamarg Village located in the Shirak Region of Armenia, 20km from Gyumri. There are 558 residents in the community. Working alongside WFD, village residents came together and built an events hall. Meetings, workshops and events are organized and held in this space. This hall was built to support the community, provide a space to help residents raise and solve existing problems, and to promote the community members’ participation and mobilization. Next to the hall, 110 children from the village play on their new playground set installed with the help of our SERVICE Armenia 2017 group and with support from WFD NGO and Paros donors. In addition, a community library and a ”Tsoghamarg Youth Centre” will also be established in the building.

However, absence of a public restroom is a problem for proper functioning of the events hall and playground. While organizing different events the population faces a problem of discomfort, which in its turn brings about sanitary-hygienic and ecological problems. Next to the events hall there is space where a small Western style restroom can be built. Organizers of events, as well as village residents working in the building and playground will take full responsibility for the use and upkeep of the restrooms. The goal of this project is to provide basic sanitary-hygienic conditions for people during events, as well as people either working or visiting the Tsoghamarg Events Hall. Sponsorship of this project will help construct two Western style restrooms at the Tsoghamarg Events Hall; one for women and one for men.

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Tsoghamarg

Start Date

July 2020

End Date

November 2020

Gallery Images

Village residents gathered at the Tsoghamarg Events Hall for an event.

The Need

The Tsoghamarg Events Hall has become a popular place for the villagers to organize and hold different family and public events. The hall is a need of a public restroom to make it complete and comfortable to host events. The absence of restrooms creates sanitary/hygienic and ecological issues for Tsoghamarg residents.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, a public restroom will be available at the Tsoghamarg Village Events Hall and will serve 558 residents and additional guests.

Long Term Impact

In the long term the village of Tsoghamarg will have a complete Events Hall to use for many years to come. In addition, a very important and basic sanitary/hygienic need will be addressed for current and future guests of the Tsoghamarg Village Events Hall.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to support this project will be recognized in the Women for Development NGO’s social media sites, and a plaque with names of all sponsors will be hung inside the event hall. Additionally, donors will be listed on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation will happily arrange a visit to Tsoghamarg Village when you are in Armenia.
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February 22, 2019

Our team has discussed the launch of construction with the mayor of Tsoghamarg, and they have determined that we should be able to start construction in about six weeks, once the snow melts!

November 11, 2020

After several delays the restroom at the Tsoghamarg Village Events Hall has now been completed. 

Mobile Dental Clinic for Vayots Dzor Region

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Description

The Armenian Dental Society of California and The Paros Foundation have successfully partnered in order to help the mobile dental clinic bring dental care to poverty stricken communities throughout Armenia.

Dr. Viken Garabedian who has worked closely with Drs. Gary Kevorkian and Jack Bayramyan  and the ADSC mobile clinic, is ready to tackle the challenge of bringing expanded dental health to the communities in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor region by adding a second mobile dental clinic.  In partnership with ADSC, the Syunik Development NGO and The Paros Foundation, a second bus will be converted into a mobile dental clinic and serve the isolated and poverty stricken communities in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor region.

Many of the villagers in Vayots Dzor live only a few hundred meters from the Azeri Border.  Many of the men in these villages serve in the army, protecting Armenia’s border.  The harsh and isolated conditions in these areas has forced many of the residents to flee their homes and resettle in the larger neighboring cities.

$30,000 is needed to retrofit the bus with two dental chairs and the proper equipment.  The monthly operating budget for the mobile clinic once it has been put into operation is $3,000 per month.

Region

Vayots Dzor

City / Village

Yeghegnadzor and surrounding villages

Start Date

June 2019

End Date

December 2021

Gallery Images

Our second Mobile Dental Clinic ready to get on the road.



The second mobile dental clinic on the road in the village of Khachig seeing patients, many of whom are soldiers.



Dr. Viken Garabedian visiting with the staff in the first mobile dental clinic.



Children in rural and poor communities greatly benefit from the mobile clinic and its free services.

The Need

Dental supplies and clinics are difficult to find or too expensive for residents living in Armenia’s isolated and poverty stricken villages in the Vayots Dzor Region. This can cause a lifetime of dental problems and oral disease for these people. Residents living in these areas are in need of dental care in order to be able to prevent serious dental issues in the future.

Short Term Impact

Residents in the Vayots Dzor region of Armenia will be visited regularly by the mobile dental clinic and receive basic dental care. In addition, two dentists, one assistant and a driver work on the clinic all from Armenia, and have the opportunity to work alongside volunteer dentists from the United States.

Long Term Impact

Residents of in the Vayots Dzor region will have a decreased chance of tooth decay and serious oral issues in their future.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to sponsor the Mobile Dental Clinic will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website and in all appropriate press related to this important project.
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October 28, 2019

In advance of the official launch of the Mobile Clinic for Vayots Dzor, our team of Dentists and staff spent the day equipping the clinic and preparing it for the big day!

 November 1, 2019

A big celebration was held to mark the official launch of the Mobile Clinic for the Vayots Dzor Region.

 April 1, 2020

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Mobile Clinic is currently not operating. As soon as it is safe to resume operation, our staff will, once again, tackle their important mission.

February 17, 2021

After a being temporarily shut down due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the mobile clinic has resumed dental services in the Vayots Dzor region.

Empowerment for Women: Catering & Food Design

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Description

Border villages in Armenia, such as those in the Tavush region, are plagued with economic hardships and unemployment. These villages have very few options for employment (agriculture, teaching and few municipal positions) and do not have the means to seek training for new professions. For this reason, many of the residents (mainly men) flee to Russia to find employment and stable income. This leaves many women alone in their communities, without a profession and dependent on their husbands/fathers/brothers to send them money from abroad.

With support from The Paros Foundation, two professional training programs in the hairdressing services, manicure tech, makeup and cosmetology have already been successfully implemented. In order to expand the range of opporunities and offer additional viable employment solutions for these women new training courses will be offered in Catering & Food Design and Balloon Decoration. Both of these skills are in high demand since there are limited services for wedding celebrations, anniversaries, high school graduation parties, kindergarten and other events held in several border villages. Currently, village residents turn to businesses in nearby cities for these needs which can be expensive or simply unaffordable for rural community residents.

A benefit of this project is to ensure the villagers can benefit from the services offered to them locally and at an affordable price. Sponsorship is needed in order to fund classes for women from 10 border villages including: Barekamavan, Koti, Voskevan, Voskepar, Baghanis, Djuyevan, Dovegh, Koghb, Berdavan and Zorakan. 18 women will have the opportunity to participate in one of the two classes for the duration of two months, twice a week for tw0-hour class periods.

10 women will be enrolled in the Catering & Food Design classes. In addition to designing students will be taught how to make salads and hors d’oeuvres. The food will be made with fruits, vegetables, sausages, cheese, pastry, sweets, bread, etc. The fresh meals prepared during classes and special table setting and decoration days will be distributed to the local, non-governmental and childcare organizations for free. This will help avoid wasting the food and promoting their services.

Additionally, eight women will be enrolled in the balloon decoration classes. Participants in this course will likely be chosen border village kindergarten staff. It is often necessary to decorate the kindergarten halls, courtyard or rooms during celebrations. In such cases the parents usually raise a certain amount of money to sponsor the work of designers or decorators. The goal of this program is to teach the kindergarten personnel how to decorate for those special events, so that the decorating could be performed by a local expert.

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Barekamavan, Koti, Voskevan, Voskepar, Baghanis, Djuyeva, Dovegh, Koghb, Berdavan, Zorakan

Start Date

June 2019

End Date

August 2019

Gallery Images

A home damaged by shelling in Aygepar. Photo credit: Hetq



The interior of a home in Aygepar hit by a mortar. Photo credit: Civilnet



The interior of a home hit by sniper fire in Aygepar. Photo credit: Hetq



A villager works to cover his damaged roof in Aygepar before the rains. Photo credit: Hetq



The remnants of a mortar from the bombing along the border. Photo credit: Hetq

The Need

Residents of border-region villages have very few options for employment (agriculture, teaching and few municipal positions) and do not have the means to seek training for new professions. For this reason, many of the residents (mainly men) travel abroad to find employment and a stable income. This leaves many women alone in their communities, without a profession and dependent on their husbands/fathers/brothers to send money from abroad.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, 18 women total from ten villages will participate in a two-month training program and obtain skills in Catering & Food Design and Balloon Decoration. They will also receive the proper tools needed to utilize their new skills in order to earn income. Furthermore, local, non-governmental and childcare organizations will be the recipients of food form relevant practice classes.

Long Term Impact

Over time, this project has the potential to help these women establish their own businesses, find financial stability for their families and better the economy of their communities. In addition, their success will help empower them through a new sense of independence and encourage them to one day help other women learn their set of skills.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website. In addition, donors will be recognized on all relevant press regarding this project.

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August 1, 2019

As part of their training, the students learned to make balloon art and paper and foam flowers for decorations in addition to preparing displaying tasty and attractive food.

September 3, 2019

Most of the trainees are now utilizing their new skills for special event decor and food preparation to earn money for their families.

 

Water for Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur

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Description

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is a village with approximately 1,100 residents in the Bert area of Armenia’s Tavush Region. This community lives on the border with Azerbaijan under the risk of sniper fire and renewed armed conflict.  110 households in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur, an estimated 500 people, only get water to their homes for 20 minutes every three days. This is because the supply of water to the water pipeline distribution network is not sufficient. To remedy this difficult situation for these families, a lower reservoir will be repaired and filled from an artisan well and pumped to the water distribution network.

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

Three months after start date

Gallery Images

Water will be pumped up this hill to the distribution network.

The Need

Having running water in a person’s home is a basic necessity. An estimated 500 people in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur cannot regularly bath, cook or clean because they barely have running water currently in their homes. This causes a constant struggle to do daily household choirs, cook etc. and breeds disease.

Short Term Impact

Running water will be delivered to 110 households allowing them the benefits of bathing, cooking and cleaning without the struggle of bringing water into their homes with buckets. Several short-term workers will be employed to dig and install the pump and related pipelines.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, helping improve Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur’s infrastructure improves the entire community, making living in this village easier. Villagers will become healthier will better access to fresh, clean drinking water.

Sponsors Benefits

Project sponsors will be listed on The Paros Foundation website and in relevant press materials related to this project.

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June 14, 2018

The Berd Municipality and the Administrative District has agreed to co-fund the pump and installation of the pump for this project. Thank you!

July 8, 2018

We visited Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur today and inspected the installation of the pipelines and construction of the pump house. Everything is ready for the arrival and install of the pump.

 September 13, 2018

The pump finally arrived and has been installed successfully! Many more villages in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur are now able to enjoy the benefits of a regular supply of water.

GOALS Summer 2018

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Description

Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer (GOALS) is the only NGO working in several regions of Armenia to use sports for education outside the classroom. Girls who play sports exhibit higher confidence levels, better mental health, improved teamwork and communication skills, increased graduation rates, and leadership skills. GOALS directly impacts more than 2,300 girls and boys in 65 communities.

● Girls Soccer is taking off in Armenia!

● GOALS is growing by 50% annually with over 400 girls now in our leagues

● Everyday more girls ask us to play…WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

Help us continue reaching and empowering more girls in Armenia to move the country forward. Our youth are our future!

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Region

Gegharkunik & Armavir

City / Village

Villages in Gegharkunik & Armavir Province

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

September 2018

Read our stories and find us on Facebook:

Suzy, 13 years old, Dilijan

“I have no other hobbies aside from football. My father didn’t agree with my football playing, but I talked to him and explained that I should try different things to understand what I want. Well, he was against it again, but as he loves me very much, he agreed. Due to football I became more focused not only in football, but also in other issues. I can solve any problem easier and swifter because I have already learned how to think in different ways and also in my everyday life.”

Liana, 13 years old, Margahovit

“People told me that football isn’t for girls, that it is difficult, but I thought that I must try and if I am not good it doesn’t matter, I will start to do something else that I am better at. During the game there are moments when I must be courageous and go for the ball, understanding that on the way someone can push you. The courage of girls in playing football is a revolution and I am part of that revolution.”

Karine, 13 years old, Dilijan

“Karine and her friend Suzy have been attending football classes for a one year and breaking all the stereotypes. According to Karine, if she dreams to become a footballer her gender never and under no circumstances can prevent her from reaching her dreams and becoming a famous footballer, to playing with football stars and to traveling a lot.”

Anahit, 17 years old, Dsegh

“I always pursued football as a hobby but when I joined the Alaverdi league I started to take soccer seriously and love it more. Through soccer my teammates and I are able to break through the stereotypes of the masses and we are happy we aren’t underestimated. Even though my team did not win the league I cannot imagine my future without soccer. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger! Due to GOALS I have become freer, more confident, and I feel that I am equal to boys.”

Sponsor a League- $3,000 (annually)
GOALS leagues are designed to give young women aged 12-17 from under-resourced areas the chance to play soccer and build confidence and teamwork skills, as well as change public perception of women’s participation in sports. 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 during the season for one hour per session. Teams travel and play one competitive game per week. Sponsoring a league covers all travel costs, referees, nurses, and venue space, and all the equipment needed to hold training sessions: jerseys, socks, footballs, cones, and pinnies for an entire league. Currently, we have leagues in Yeghegnadzor, Alaverdi, Goris, Dilijan and Artik.

Sponsor a Camp – $1,500
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, a leadership seminar including inspiring local guest speakers and a nutritious lunch follow the sessions. Camps bring together communities whose residents often don’t interact and spark the interest that leads to more GOALS programming in the region. This year GOALS will have camps in Kotayk, Gegharkunik, Lori and Syunik regions.

Sponsor a Team – $500​
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 and equipment and to cover costs of travel. We currently have 36 teams and will be creating at least ten in the coming year. Sponsoring a team supports these needs for two full seasons/one year.

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

GOALS has already received a grant from World Vision for part of this program. The overall budget of this project is $11,500 of which GOALS still needs $7,500.

All donations for this fundraiser help GOALS bring a soccer league to the girls in Gegharkunik, which will become our seventh league. Before GOALS came into the picture, several coaches in Gegharkunik wanted to create soccer teams but were denied funding from local sources. Bringing our resources to Gegharkunik through your generous donations will:
● Allow more than 80 girls and coaches from the Gegharkunik region to participate in a sustainable girls’ soccer league.
● Cover all costs related to travel, referees, nurses, and venue space, and all the equipment needed to hold training sessions: jerseys, socks, footballs, cones and pinnies.
● Permit girls to travel to Yerevan to be a part of competitive matches and cross-cultural events, introducing local youth to diaspora Armenians and exposing participants to different perspectives and ideas, and broadening their horizons.
● Support a three-day summer camp to bring together 48 youth from six different communities.
● Support tournaments between the regions to motivate girls to increase their soccer skill levels and increase their confidence in participating in tournaments outside of their region.
● Support activities related to the World Cup during the summer camps within the dates of World Cup to raise awareness about the countries and teach teamwork skills to the participants.
● Empower a new generation of leaders to take New Armenia forward by creating a network of strong girls in the region and allowing them to build new friendships, teamwork, and skills to compete.

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.

Gallery Images

Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer Logo






GOALS soccer teams



GOALS girls love soccer!

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 launch a new league in the Gegharkunik region, which will become their seventh league.

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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October 31, 2018

From the GOALS TEAM: “Thank you for all the support so far! GOALS couldn’t grow without the support from people like you. Because of this support, GOALS successfully opened our Gegharkunik league, with 56 girls across the region. We can’t wait to see their growth and the results from our fall leagues.”