Ghoghanj Nor Nork – 2023-2024 Funding​

Read Updates

Description

The Ghoghanj Children’s Center located in the Kentron of Yerevan provides afterschool and summer school programs for approximately 85 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.

Watch Video

Region

Yerevan / Երևան

City / Village

Nor Nork / Նոր Նորք

Start Date

September 2023

End Date

August 2024

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 2023-2024.

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 2023-2024 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.

[vp_give_donor_wall
donors_per_page=12
show_total=false
show_modal=true
form_id=”87825″]

Updates: Images & Information

Previous
Next
January 26, 2023

Children from both the Kentron and the Nor Nork locations of the Ghoghanj Children’s Center attended the Armath Engineering Event in Yerevan.  

June 20, 2023

Med-Aid 2023 visits the Ghoghanj Nor Nork Children’s Center to give free medical exams to the children.

December 27, 2023

The Ghoghanj Nor Nork Children’s Center celebrate Christas with performances, awards, and Christmas snacks. 

January 19, 2024

Children of displaced Artsakh families are welcomed to Ghoghanj Nor Nork Children’s Center for the launch of the We are the guardians of Artsakh’s culture program. The program includes classes on folk dance, history, excursions, embroidery, and choir lessons. 

Debi Arach Children’s Center 2023 Operating Budget

Read Updates

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 nine 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://youtu.be/idA8y2UEDp8

Region

Shirak / Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri / Գյումրի

Start Date

April 2023

End Date

March 2024

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 2023 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.

[vp_give_donor_wall
donors_per_page=12
show_total=false
show_modal=true
form_id=”87824″]

Updates: Images & Information

Previous
Next
June 22, 2023

SERVICE Armenia arrived at Debi Arach today ready to distribute groceries to families under the Groceries for Gyumri program. 

July 14, 2023

SERVICE Armenia continue their work at Debi Arach by spending a day with the children playing in the sun. 

June 27, 2023

Today Med-Aid Armenia visits Debi Arach to provide free quality medical checkups and make sure the children are healthy. 

High-Tech Education for Children

Read Updates

Description

Educators around the globe are aggressively promoting STEM education (science, technology, engineering and math) for children in schools.  These important subjects help secure student’s futures in a world filled with high tech advances in nearly every aspect of live.  

This project aims to augment existing high tech classes including robotics, computer programming and 3-d printing  at schools and children centers across Armenia with additional hardware and educational materials aimed at familiarizing students with drone and photography technology.  Support this effort and help arm our future generations with the skills they need to succeed in our ever changing world.  

Region

All

City / Village

All

Start Date

October 2023

End Date

One Year From Start

Gallery Images

Students from the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri working on their entry into a regional competition for robotics.



Student designed and manufactured robot is demonstrated at a robotics competition.

The Need

Students need to be armed with STEM education to compete in an every increasing high tech society.  Current STEM classes offered in most of Armenia’s schools do not include drone and photography education.  This project will help familiarize students with this technology. 

Short Term Impact

In the short term, schools and children centers will receive both hardware and appropriate instruction on drone usage, repairs and maintenance.  

Long Term Impact

In the long run, as these students are exposed to and master drone usage, they will be more confident in their abilities to utilize drones.  In addition, having this technology and classes available in schools will encourage them to pursue related tech careers and higher education. 

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 programs can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.

[vp_give_donor_wall
donors_per_page=12
show_total=false
show_modal=true
form_id=”87823″]

Updates: Images & Information

Previous
Next
February 4, 2023

Our Paros team visited the Armat Odum Lab at a school in Vardenis where students take STEM courses. With appropriate funds raised, we hope to give them a drone to increase their STEM knowledge. 

March 2, 2023

About a month later the Armat Odum Lab at a school in Vardenis was given a drone. With the help of our donors, we are excited to donate many more drones to schools in Armenia. 

March 23, 2023

As part of the High-Tech Education program a guest speaker and a drone operator visited the Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur School to show the children more about the abilities and usage of drones. 

October 15, 2024

So happy to support the educational programing at the newly opened Kajaran Training program.  More than 200 young people will have access to the latest in high tech education!  

Home Improvements for Samvel G.

Read Updates

Description

Samvel and his wife along with their four young children (3 boys and a girl) live together in the border village of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur.  

Samvel has done his best to make improvements on the family home including rebuilding their bathroom and repairing the roof.  The home needs a complete cosmetic remodel including new doors and windows.  

Samvel is a retired contract soldier from the Armenian army. Several years ago, Samvel and his family were beneficiaries of The Paros Foundation’s Agribusiness project and received several pigs.  He continues to work with his pig farm on a regular basis.  He also works as a beekeeper for The Paros Foundation’s honey production effort at the local school.  Astrig, Samvel’s wife, was employed until recently as the director of the village’s kindergarten. 

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is an important border village with a population of approximately 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 10 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. 

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur

Start Date

June 2022

End Date

September 2022

Gallery Images

Samvel’s home also has a small barn that needs repairs.



Parts of Samvel’s home are not used because of their poor condition.



Water damage can been seen throughout the Samvel’s home.






Samvel has completed partial renovations to his home including constructing a bathroom for his family.

The Need

Samvel’s home is in poor condition.  Due to the lack of economic opportunities in this border community, Samvel and his family cannot afford to complete renovations to their home.  

Short Term Impact

In the short term, a local construction crew will be employed to renovate this home and earn a fair market wage.  Reconstruction materials will be purchased locally also to provide a benefit to the regional economy.  

Long Term Impact

In the long term, as homes in these communities are improved, local villagers will take greater pride in their communities. More importantly, Samvel and his family will live in safer and more comfortable conditions.  

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.

[vp_give_donor_wall
donors_per_page=12
show_total=false
show_modal=true
form_id=”87822″]

Updates: Images & Information

Previous
Next
September 15, 2022

Renovations on Samvel G.’s home is complete! The home is now equipped with new windows and doors. 

Home Improvements for Hrant A.

Read Updates

Description

Hrant and his wife along with their married son and his family all live together in the border village of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur.  Seven people total live in this home, including three children under the age of six.  The home is in need of a full remodel including the addition of one bedroom to offer the children a space of their own.  

The family has a small plot of land around the house. They have a pig and a cow and some bee hives. They also have a small plot of land on the edge of the village that they use to harvest grass for use in their small barn.  

Hrant is a retired soldier from the Armenian army and lives on a pension. His son, Karen, works in Berd and also works as a beekeeper for The Paros Foundation’s honey production effort at the local school.  

Hrant’s house is in overall poor condition with their greatest need being a new roof and doors and windows. They also do not have proper heating.  This effort would not only solve these critical housing needs, but also provide this large family with a completely renovated and reconfigured home for them.

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is an important border village with a population of approximately 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 10 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. 

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur

Start Date

April, 2023

End Date

August, 2023

Gallery Images

Hrant’s home has several roof leaks that the family continues to repair.



One of the families children at their homes’ entrance.



The existing windows are in very poor condition and allow in the cold.



Water has penetrated the houses’ walls creating unsafe conditions for the family.



Hrant’s residence is home to seven family members.

The Need

Hrant A.’s home is in poor condition.  Due to lack of economic opportunities in this border community, Hrant and his family cannot afford to renovate their home.  A leaky roof, poor windows and lack of proper heating create unsafe and uncomfortable conditions for his large family. 

Short Term Impact

In the short term, a local construction crew will be employed to renovate this home and earn a fair market wage.  Reconstruction materials will be purchased locally also to provide a benefit to the regional economy.  

Long Term Impact

In the long term, as homes in these communities are improved, local villagers will take greater pride in their communities. More importantly, Hrant and his family will live in safer and more comfortable conditions.  

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.

[vp_give_donor_wall
donors_per_page=12
show_total=false
show_modal=true
form_id=”85822″]

Updates: Images & Information

Previous
Next
August 28, 2023

Work on Hrant’s home is completed and the family has moved back in just prior to the start of school.  

Paros Housing, After-School & Vocational Center

Read Updates

Description

The 1988 Spitak Earthquake caused the death of more than 35,000 people and left more than 100,000 people homeless.  Armenia’s second largest city, Gyumri, was most affected by the earthquake.  In the years that followed, Armenia’s Independence, the Artsakh War and corrupt regional and local officials all contributed to a massive housing shortage, the inability to emerge from this housing shortage, and generational poverty in Gyumri.  Today, almost 2,000 domiks are still “home” to people in Gyumri.  While the development in Gyumri has considerably advanced in recent years, this housing shortage continues to exist. 

 

To date, The Paros Foundation has purchased 26 homes for domik families, and demolished 26 domiks, ensuring no one will ever live in one again.  In early 2022, the new Mayor of Gyumri proposed to The Paros Foundation that the city provides The Foundation with one of Gyumri’s many half-constructed buildings, with the purpose of Paros completing the building’s construction and housing domik families.  The building that was selected and given to Paros is suitable for 16 residential apartments and has an additional 6,000 square feet that Paros will use to open a second branch of its Debi Arach Children’s Center, additional vocational training programs and/or a second social enterprise. 

 

The Paros Foundation has the experience and track record to successfully implement this project.  Its benefits will be multi-fold including:

 

1. 16 domik families will receive a new home.
2. 16 domiks will be demolished and land returned to the city.
3. One unfinished building will be completed, eliminating another eye sore for the city.
4. During the construction phase, more than $500,000 will be invested in Gyumri’s economy through material purchases and labor.
5. Once completed, Debi Arach will create an additional 8 to 10 full time employment positions.

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

8 months after start

Gallery Images

Paros Team member calculating costs associated with installing a new roof on the building.

The Need

More than 2,000 people remain homeless in Gyumri living in “domiks”.  This project will help create permanent housing for 16 families and eliminate 16 domiks.  

Short Term Impact

The construction of 16 apartments and a second branch office of Debi Arach Children’s Center will create approximately 20 construction jobs for almost one year.  There will be a local bump in the economy as labor and materials will be purchased locally whenever possible.

Long Term Impact

16 families will receive new apartments.  16 domiks will be demolished and the land returned to the city for public use.  100 children will receive the benefits proven through the programing at Debi Arach and 8 to 10 full time employment positions will be created at the new location.  

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.

[vp_give_donor_wall
donors_per_page=12
show_total=false
show_modal=true
form_id=”85820″]

Updates: Images & Information

September 15, 2022

Thank you to the Assarian and Atesian families for sponsoring a successful event that raised more than $75,000 in support for this important project.

 

August 22, 2023

We have hired both our project architect and seismic engineering firm for our building.  They will help us design and develop plans for the addition of a fourth floor on the building that will house four to eight additional families in new apartments.

 

August 11, 2025Thanks to a very generous anonymous donation, funding has been raised to complete the entire construction of this building. Additional donations will go towards the furniture and equipment needed for the housing units and children’s center.

Kindergarten for Nerkin Tsaghkavan

Read Updates

Description

The village of Nerkin Tsaghkavan is located in Armenia’s Tavush Region on the road to Noyemberyan and is home to more than 500 people.  Both the village of Nerkin Tsaghkavan and the neighboring village of Kirants do not have a kindergarten for its children.  The village has allocated a building centrally located in the village to house a future kindergarten.  In addition, the consolidated community has funding available for the kindergarten’s operational expenses once it is built.  The Paros team has visited this kindergarten and designed construction to include its future expansion to house two groups of up to 60 children.  Initial construction will allow for the kindergarten to begin operation with one group (30 children).  Construction will include a new roof, windows, heating and a playroom, sleep room, kitchen/dining hall, bathroom and small office.

In addition, the project will include the furnishing of the kindergarten with all furniture necessary to launch operations including tables, chairs, beds, lockers, kitchen cabinets, desks, and appliances.

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Nerkin Tsakhavan

Start Date

June 4, 2022

End Date

January 31, 2023

Gallery Images

Paros staff visited the building identified as suitable for the Verin Tsaghkavan kindergarten.

The Need

The village of Verin Tsaghkavan does not have a kindergarten for its children.  More than 30 children of kindergarten age live in the village.  The government has funding to operate a kindergarten, but not for construction, however they have allocated a suitable building for this purpose.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, a modest economic boost will be realized as local construction materials and labor will be used whenever possible. Once open, at least four new employment positions will be created at the kindergarten.  

Long Term Impact

In the long term, families and the children will benefit from having a functional kindergarten in their community.  Children will benefit from the proven value of early education. 

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.

[vp_give_donor_wall
donors_per_page=12
show_total=false
show_modal=true
form_id=”84944″]

Updates: Images & Information

Previous
Next
June 4, 2022With funds successfully raised by our donors, kindergarten construction has officially started. We anticipate that within a few months the project will be finished and provide foundational education to the Verin Tsaghkavan village.
January 31, 2023

After months of meaningful work, the Verin Tsaghkavan kindergarten is complete and held its grand opening! Local community leaders and contributors gathered to celebrate this great accomplishment after years without a kindergarten in the village. With the help of our donors, we were able to provide a necessary kindergarten for young children to learn crucial foundational skills.

June 12, 2023

A year after the start of construction, these kindergartners are enjoying their new school learning crucial skills, playing with friends, and making lasting memories. Thank you to our donors for making this need in a small village possible.

Aregak’s Physiotherapy & Ergotherapy Program

Read Updates

Description

Manvel captures the hearts of everyone around him. Due to his nervous system disorder, the five-year-old struggles with many activities others take for granted. Last year, he began attending Emili Aregak Center for physical, speech and music therapies. We’re able to provide all of these services for free thanks to supporters like you!

When he arrived to our center last year, Manvel couldn’t sit up on his own. Now, he can! Plus, he’s already walking with support, speaking more clearly and socializing well with other kids.

The Emili Aregak Center provides a range of free-of-charge therapies to more than 150 children like Manvel with special needs in Gyumri, Armenia. Annually, 60-70 children participate in physical and occupational therapies. Physiotherapists work to help children strengthen their muscles and improve their flexibility so they can experience greater health and wellness, and in some cases—like Manvel’s—learn to crawl, stand, sit up and walk. Through occupational therapy, children develop sensory, motor, perception, communication and life skills.

Your donations will fully support Emili Aregak’s Physiotherapy and Ergotherapy Programs for one year;
$13,500 ($6,750 x 2) annual salary for two physiotherapists and
$4,250 annual salary for one occupational therapist.

https://youtu.be/wrGUUN_p8IQ

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

March 1, 2022

End Date

March 1, 2023

Gallery Images

The Need

Children with disabilities are one of the most vulnerable populations in Armenia. Their families tend to face higher rates of poverty and stigma. Many have difficulty accessing consistent, quality therapies. Early intervention is vital for ensuring maximal development of physical capabilities.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, children will experience greater strength, flexibility, autonomy, awareness of their environment and better social adaptation.

Long Term Impact

All children who attend Emili Aregak Center improve their existing abilities and quality of life. Parents learn how to better support their children and ensure that progress made at Emili Aregak is reinforced in the home.

Sponsors Benefits

Plaques will be posted outside of the Emili Aregak Center’s ergotherapy room and two physiotherapy rooms. Visits to the Emili Aregak Center will be arranged for sponsors visiting Gyumri!

[vp_give_donor_wall
donors_per_page=12
show_total=false
show_modal=true
form_id=”84883″]

Ponics Farming on the Border

Read Updates

Description

Facing the challenges of limited water, limited access to land and the challenges of weather, an aquaponic growing system for food is a perfect solution for border communities.  An Aquaponics has clear benefits over soil-based gardening including lessened, adverse environmental impacts, reduced consumption of resources, faster plant growth, and higher yields.  The Paros Foundation working through its Aygepar Incubator, has won a $53,000 grant from the Austrian Development Agency to install a 1,760 sq. ft. greenhouse along with a control building to house an aquaponic growing system in the village of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur.  Our contribution towards this important project is an additional $15,000.  The system will be housed in a 160 square meter controlled environment greenhouse.  This fully recirculating system will be used as both a training center and as a plant production business. The system will introduce rabbit waste into a small waste processing station before being pumped into a fully aqueous media environment which converts the waste to usable nitrates.  The resulting nitrate fertilizer will be circulated through the bioreactor, into Deep Water Culture beds and Nutrient Film Technique gutters prior to their return to a waste processing station.     Once completed, this system will serve as a model for the entire region.  Its training component will serve to instruct the next generation on how to benefit from and properly care for an aquaponics farming system.   

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur, Aygepar

Start Date

Spring 2022

End Date

Gallery Images

Aquaponic systems operate in a complete controlled environment.



Fruits and vegetables can be grown in aquaponic systems.



A similar system to this one will be installed in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur.



Aquaponic systems are sustainable and will greatly benefit the community of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur.

The Need

Because of a shortage of land and lack of water in the community of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur, it is difficult to farm.  The introduction of an aquaponic system and training will greatly benefit this community.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, the preparation and construction of the aquaponic system in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur will bring a mild economic benefit to the community as local labor and materials will be used whenever possible.

Long Term Impact

In the longer term, the community will benefit economically as any proceeds from the sales of the aquaponic farm will be reinvested directly in the community.  In addition, the villagers will benefit from the training they receive in this new cutting edge technology. 

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.

[vp_give_donor_wall
donors_per_page=12
show_total=false
show_modal=true
form_id=”84766″]

Updates: Images & Information

Previous
Next
November 15, 2022

Construction on the Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur aquaponics greenhouse begins. 

April 27, 2023

Greenhouse construction is finished, officially launching the aquaponics program. We look forward to  planting the first batch of plants and presenting this asset to the community!  

May 12, 2023

Two greenhouse employees will maintain the greenhouse and teach classes to locals and students. Today they plant strawberries and tomatoes.

June 23, 2023

The Ponics Greenhouse and Education Center is open! A ribbon cutting ceremony was held with donors Patrick & Mary Goshtigian present who generously supported the project. This resource will benefit the community for years to come because the lack of water and land make it difficult to farm in the border village of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur.

September 10, 2024

Regular classes for students at the school began today. 

January 20, 2024

Gas pipelines are added to the greenhouse so that it can fully operate in the winter months.

Verishen Kindergarten Expansion & Rebuild

Read Updates

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.

[vp_give_donor_wall
donors_per_page=12
show_total=false
show_modal=true
form_id=”84431″]

Updates: Images & Information

Previous
Next

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.