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.

 

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.”

 

Adopt A Classroom 23 – Ljashen

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Description

Representatives of The Paros Foundation have visited more than 100 schools throughout Armenia. While some schools have either been renovated thanks to the Armenian government or as a result of the generosity of international donors, many remain in deplorable conditions and have little hope of being renovated in the near future. These conditions affect both the ability for students to learn, as well as the health of students and teachers. How is a student supposed to learn if there are not proper desks, chairs or windows in the classroom?
One of the schools recently identified in need of a complete renovation is located in the large village of Ljashen in the Gegharkunik region at Lake Sevan. Ljashen Village has a population of 5,000 and one local school. About 300 students attend this run down school.
In addition to several classrooms, the Paros Foundation will directly oversee the renovation of the hallways, two staircases, and restrooms at this school including doors, flooring, lighting, paint, and electrical, as needed. The heating system was replaced 10 years ago by Developmental Services for Armenia, a California based humanitarian organization, and is still fully functioning. Whenever possible, the school, students and their parents will be incorporated into the classroom remodel project to help build a sense of community and personal investment.

Region

Gegharkunik

City / Village

Ljashen

Start Date

June 2017

End Date

September 2017

The Need

Many classrooms throughout Armenia’s schools remain in deplorable conditions. Children should not have to try and learn in these conditions. Because of substandard doors and windows, many classrooms become unusable in the winter months because of the cold. In addition, even schools with proper heating are affected negatively with insufficient warmth in the classrooms that have broken doors and windows. While the Armenian Government and others regularly engage in a campaign to remodel schools, they simply cannot meet the huge need.

Short Term Impact

The short-term impact will be that students will enjoy use of newly renovated hallways, staircases and restrooms. Also six local residents will be employed to complete the renovations. There will be benefits to the local economy through the purchase of supplies.

Long Term Impact

The long-term impact will benefit at least 10 years of students that will be able to take classes using the updated and modern classroom. This will have a huge psychological impact on both the students and teacher. In addition, the school will benefit from energy savings in the winter months.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to sponsor the renovation of this classroom will be recognized on a plaque at the school, on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation will happily arrange a visit to the Ljashen Village School when you are in Armenia.
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Paravakar Village School Gym Renovation

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Description

Paravakar is a border village in Armenia’s Tavush Province. About 1,300 people call Paravakar their home. Because of the threat of Azeri sniper fire, a bridge leading to the city of Berd is uncrossable. Villagers are forced to wind through the Shamshadin mountains to reach Berd, which almost triples their journey. Almost 230 students attend the village’s primary school.  The school was renovated by the Armenian government about ten years ago, however serious leaks in the roof has created a situation whereby the gym is dangerous to enter.

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Paravakar

Start Date

August 2018

End Date

October 2018

Gallery Images

The gym in Parvakar has a leaky roof that has caused the ceiling to collapse making it very dangerous for students to use the facility.



Water leaks in the Paravakar school gym have damaged the ceiling, walls and flooring.



The Paravakar school gym needs renovation to enable students to utilize this facility.

The Need

The school’s roof has several leaks that have caused the gym’s ceiling to partially collapse. This makes is dangerous for students to enter the gym for their physical education classes. The school administration has done the best they can to shore up the ceiling, but rain and snow continue to damage the interior of the gym.

Short Term Impact

The school’s roof will be immediately repaired and the interior of the gym renovated to provide students with a clean and safe environment in which to exercise and play sports. A work crew will be employed and all materials will be purchased in Armenia, thus benefiting the local economy.

Long Term Impact

In the long run, students will be both happier and healthier as a result of having full and safe access to the school’s gym.

Sponsors Benefits

Project sponsors will be listed on a plaque installed at the school, on The Paros Foundation website and in all relevant press materials related to this project.
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September 5, 2018

With the repairs to the roof completed, scaffolding was located and delivered and our crew began the reconstruction of the ceiling in the gym.

 September 14, 2018

To protect the ceiling and windows from basket and volley balls, protective netting is being installed over both the ceiling and windows.

 October 2, 2018

Our crew is completing the gym renovation project with the installation of the new lighting.

 October 26, 2018

A quick visit to the completed gym caught the students working out and practicing martial arts training.

Girls’ Leadership and Development (GLAD) Camp

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Description

Over the previous two years, the Margahovit Youth Center has held two successful summer camps for young girls, originally through a Let Girls Learn (LGL) grant from the United States Peace Corps. The purpose of the camp is to address the often overlooked, but important needs of these young girls and help them learn positive ways to cope with stereotypes, anxiety and culturally imposed limitations that have had a negative effect on their daily lives. Due to the success of the initial two Girls’ Leadership and Development (GLAD) Camp, the Margahovit Youth Center is fundraising to implement the camp again, taking lessons and tips from the previous camps, for a different group of participants from Margahovit. The Girls’ Leadership and Development (GLAD) Camp will address several needs by teaching the participants a range of healthy mental, emotional, and physical coping skills to combat stress and by bringing the group closer together in a safe space so that they can form a strong support network going forward.

This year’s camp will be for 15 girls and will be led by community members, Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs), and outside experts focusing on a range of aspects related to emotional and mental health and leadership skills, including but not limited to: creating a safe space for discussing these issues; healthy expression of emotion; journaling; yoga; strengths finding; personality tests; and leadership styles. The participants from last year’s GLAD Camp meet monthly for a follow-up club, in part to organize monthly seminars for other youth in the village to pass on what they learned during the camp; participants from this version of GLAD will participate in these activities as well. The community of Margahovit will contribute significantly in planning, implementation, and follow-up work. Their goal is to help participants become more mentally and emotionally healthier, equipped with the tools they need to handle the difficulties life throws at them, and thus do good in school and become stronger leaders.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbX673ZgYVc

Region

Lori

City / Village

Margahovit

Start Date

July 2018

End Date

August 2019

Gallery Images

The girls will learn yoga as a great tool to maintain their mental & emotional health.



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

In many towns and villages throughout Armenia, many young girls are unable to protect themselves against the diversity of stereotypes, anxieties, and culturally-imposed limitations. These range from body-image issues stemming from a cultural obsession with being thin, traditions pressuring girls to be quiet and obedient and stigmas associated with seeking help for mental and emotional issues. Of the 19 girls, aged 13-16, surveyed in a Margahovit community needs assessment, approximately two-thirds reported experiencing stress in their lives, with a range of negative behaviors and feelings associated with this stress, including: feeling hopeless and sad; experiencing anxiety and nervousness; feeling weak, imbalanced, and easy to set off; and not wanting to talk to or see anyone. While a number of girls report coping mechanisms generally regarded as healthy, such as talking to friends or taking a walk, the range of mechanisms is fairly narrow (not including a range of other effective methods including journaling, meditation, and preparation of healthy food) and includes methods generally regarded as negative (including avoiding problems, using the internet, and consuming sweets).

Short Term Impact

In the short term, 15 girls, ages 11-16, from the village of Margahovit will participate in a six-day camp at which they collectively establish a safe space to discuss mental and emotional health and stress and learn healthy ways to deal with the variety of stresses in their lives. Following the camp, these 15 girls will join the previous participants’ monthly club at which they discuss how they have been maintaining their mental and emotional health through the skills learned at the camp and support each other in their continuing communal safe space.

Long Term Impact

With the successful implementation of this project, in the long term the participants in our community will be mentally and emotionally healthier, equipped with the tools to handle the difficulties life throws at them, and thus ready to be stronger leaders in the community and spread this knowledge and skills to their peers. Given the variety of ways in which stress can affect girls’ participation and success in school, we also know that with the skills and abilities gained through this project the participants will experience greater academic enthusiasm and success.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to sponsor the GLAD Camp will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. Donors will also be listed on the GLAD Camp Facebook page announcements and in the wrap-up slideshow/video . Campers will also write thank-you notes to all supporters of the camp.

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Promote Scientific Research in Armenia

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Description

Since 2011, a group of American and European-Armenian professors and academics have organized and taught advanced one-week long training courses, in Armenia, to graduate students in biology. the courses were developed by Raffi Aroian (University of Massachusetts Medical School) and Haig Alexander Eskandarian (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne). Their specialty is one coherent course focused on the thematic of host-pathogen interactions, for which Armenia faces critical health problems like chronic tuberculosis brought on by antibiotic persistence or genetic disorders like Familial Mediterranean Fever, for which the role of infectious bacteria play a critical role in disease outcomes. Their goal is to teach Armenian students and researchers the approaches to how science research is conducted for the discovery of fundamental concepts in biology.

In order to begin the courses this group of scientists and researchers raised $7,300 to purchase needed equipment including incubators for culturing and cultivating bacteria, three dissecting microscopes and an upright optical fluorescence microscope for live cell imaging. Their goal has been to train students and researchers to undertake their own experiments using the equipment that they purchased and have donated to Professor Nelli Hovhannisyan’s lab, at Yerevan State University. Nelli’s lab hosts these courses and maintains the instruments. She also offers a select group of talented trained students the opportunity to continue the studies that they sought to begin during our course.

Their ultimate goal is to establish enough physical infrastructures and technical and philosophical knowledge for young researchers taking the courses to be able to build their own research themes and interests out of the experiments that they were taught. The end result would be for the students to publish their own work and eventually apply for research funding in order to continue to pursue their research interests that spawned out of these courses. Currently, they are in need of additional funding in order to continue this program. Sponsorship of this project will help raise the funds needed to purchase additional equipment and the ability to invite groups of professors and young researchers from abroad interested in teaching prolonged lecture and practical training courses to Armenian students and researchers. The equipment they presently need includes one inverted optical phase contrast microscope ($5,000) and a more sophisticated inverted phase contrast fluorescence microscope ($10,000). $10,000 is budgeted for establishing practical advanced training courses with international professors and researchers. This program will provide intensive lecture and practical training courses to graduate students specializing in a field of research related to biomedicine.

The group of professors and researchers include:

Raffi Aroian (University of Massachusetts Medical School)
Diane Barber (University of California, San Francisco)
Haig Alexander Eskandarian (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)
Alexander Hajnal (University of Zurich)
Bana Jabri (University of Chicago)
Sarkis Mazmanian (California Institute of Technology)
Erich Schwartz (Cornell University)

Region

Yerevan

City / Village

Yerevan

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

One Year from start date

Gallery Images

Since 2011, a group of American- and European-Armenian professors & academics have organized and taught advanced biological training lecture courses in Armenia.



Students & researchers are taught approaches to how science research is conducted for the discovery of fundamental concepts in biology.



Two new and different microscopes are needed to aid these important courses.

The Need

Infectious disease originating from pathogenic bacteria or parasites remains a major risk to the health and wellbeing of Armenians and a burden on society. It is estimated that one in four Armenians is infected with parasitic nematodes. In addition, bacterial infections, like tuberculosis, remain difficult to treat because we still do not have adequate means of clearing the infection. Therefore, it is imperative to train competent scientists and researchers to discover why infectious diseases persist and resist treatment.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, science equipment will be purchased and intensive lecture and practical training courses will be offered to graduate students specializing in a field of research related to biomedicine.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, this program can provide sustainable and innovative course offerings by inviting more researchers and professors to participate in the co-conception of and teaching of both the lecture courses and practical courses. In addition, it can help expand course syllabi by offering researchers and professors from abroad a budget to create their own practical courses. Such a program can help spur cutting edge research in Armenia (i.e. building microfluidic devices for studying bacterial antibiotic resistance).

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsorship of this project will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. Laboratory equipment can be named in honor of major benefactors. Donors will also be acknowledged throughout the course for their contributions. The Paros Foundation will happily arrange a visit to the Yerevan State University when you are in Armenia.

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Paravakar Kindergarten Renovation

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Description

Paravakar is a border village in Armenia’s Tavush Province. About 1,300 people call Paravakar their home. Because of the threat of Azeri sniper fire, a bridge leading to the city of Berd is uncrossable. Villagers are forced to wind through the Shamshadin mountains to reach Berd, which almost triples their journey.
The kindergarten in Berd currently serves more than 32 children in two groups. Shin construction company from Yerevan renovated two rooms of the kindergarten to house one of these groups. The rest of the building needs renovation including doors and windows, furniture and heating. The entire village of Paravakar has a serious water problem.  This issue will be addressed with the addition of a very large water reservoir for exclusive use by the kindergarten.  The exterior of the kindergarten remains partially exposed to Azerbaijan.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loBjBCK9UUo

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Paravakar

Start Date

September 2018

End Date

November 2020

Gallery Images

Rusted playground equipment at the Paravakar village kindergarten.



Kindergarten at Paravakar



One of the classrooms in Paravakar in need of renovation.



The current bathroom in need of a full remodel at Paravakar.



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

The Need

The current kindergarten in Paravakar needs renovation to both improve conditions for the children, and accommodate the creation of an additional group of 25 children. Following the renovation and furnishing of the kindergarten, the exterior of the building will be repaired to protect it from water seepage. A security wall will be built to guard children from any potential sniper fire. Finally, a new driveway, playground area and both hard and landscape will create an inviting space for the children and staff to spend time.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, the interior of the kindergarten will be renovated prior to the start of the new school year to accommodate the additional children. Materials will be purchased locally and local labor will be used to also benefit the local economy. In the spring of 2019, work will begin on the security wall and to the exterior of the building. In the spring of 2020, landscaping and the remaining exterior work will be completed.

Long Term Impact

Annually, approximately 75 children will benefit from a safe, warm and happy environment to begin their early education. The village in general will benefit from having a significant part of their village’s infrastructure improved.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website, in appropriate press released to this project, and on a plaque installed at the Paravakar kindergarten.

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August 5, 2018

Our visit to Paravakar showed work progressing well. We are on schedule to have the interior work to accommodate the new group completed by September 1 for opening day!

September 4, 2018

Kitchen cabinets are being installed along with the new range and vent. The restrooms are also almost complete.

 November 1, 2018

Paros Staff visited the Kindergarten today to inspect the progress of the work and plan for the next steps.

June 27, 2019

Following a rainy spring and equipment delays, the security wall construction is underway!

August 22, 2019

The new water reservoir and pipes are now installed and functioning to supply water to the entire kindergarten.

March 15, 2020

Due to the Cororna Virus, the Kindergarten is now closed until further decision by the government of Armenia.

May 19, 2020

Work on the kindergarten resumes. 

September 15, 2020

Paravakar Kindergarten classroom renovations are complete! A celebration was held with the kindergarteners where they saw their new kindergarten and received new toys from the Paros team.

October 1, 2020

Work on the exterior grounds of the kindergarten is completed. We are hopeful that in the coming weeks, Covid 19 will be under control and the kindergarten will reopen.

November 9, 2020

The Paravakar Kindergarten has been reopened! Kindergarteners are enjoying their newly renovated kindergarten.

8th Annual AEA Conference

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Description

The Armenian Economic Association (AEA) sponsors an economic conference in Armenia to promote high level discussions on Armenia’s future path. The 8th Annual conference needs support to help fund speaker participation and conference related expenses.

Why is the conference so important? Armenia faces many challenges as the Republic struggles to advance: Lapses in governance, weak civic engagement, income inequality, lack of transparency, migration, vulnerability to geopolitical shocks, and more. Equally serious, but perhaps less well-known, shortcomings include: The lack of open platforms to discuss economic and financial research in an academic forum, minimal capacity in advanced and rigorous (western-style) training in economics and finance, and little opportunity to debate policy and policy-making (whether in a public or academic setting). Essentially, in addition to the physical isolation caused by long-standing blockades of its borders, Armenia suffers from intellectual isolation—with serious economic and other consequences.

How does the project address the need? AEA is a non-profit, non-partisan organization whose mission is to promote Armenian scholarship in Economics. AEA’s annual conferences help to fill the notable and serious gaps in economics and finance training, and in public policy debate and discussion—by providing a free and open 2 ½ day forum for presentation of timely research papers and their spirited and rigorous discussion and debate. Diverse participants include world-renowned economists, professors, Ph.D. candidates, and other economics and finance scholars, researchers and professionals.

Thus, AEA actively combats weak civic engagement, and the lack of rigorous economics training and non-partisan policy analysis. Local scholarship and resources alone cannot address these challenges.

Region

Throughout Armenia

City / Village

All

Start Date

June 2018

End Date

June 2018

Gallery Images

AEA 2017 Conference in Yerevan.



AEA 2017 breakout sessions engage participants.



AEA Conference breaks allow for networking and socializing.



Qualified guest speakers lead lively discussion topics.

The Need

As a developing country, Armenia needs the robust engagement of the diaspora to help it better address civic engagement and economic discussion taking place.

Short Term Impact

Typical attendance at an AEA annual conference is about 200 in total over 2 ½ days. Near-term benefits include: (1) Scholars in Armenia benefit immediately from interacting with senior professors and receiving serious comments on their research work in progress, leading to publication and recognition. (2) Armenia benefits from the rising level of in-country talent and discussion. (3) Students within Armenia and beyond are inspired to pursue advanced training and/or research. (4) Employment opportunities result from networking during the conference (5) More research will be devoted to Armenia and the challenges it faces as more researchers/scholars become more aware of the issues and the availability of data sets.

Long Term Impact

(6) Meeting and working with Diaspora economists leads to joint collaboration in research and policy analysis. (7) Publishing research can lead to employment opportunities. (8) More western-trained economists may be motivated to make the sacrifice and to return to Armenia, to build its future and help moderate the brain drain. (9) Transfer of knowledge contributes to advancement in training in economics. This enhanced capacity may lead to better teaching and more productive research on Armenia—both in-country and beyond.

Sponsors Benefits

Donor names are posted on the Paros Foundation & AEA website, printed on conference programs, and publicized in mass emails. AEA will gladly discuss donor recognition opportunities, such as naming awards for donors.
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June 30, 2018

The Armenian Economic Association (AEA) held another successful annual conference in Yerevan, thanks in part to the support of contributors to The Paros Foundation website. The 8th annual conference on June 14 – 16 brought together academics, researchers and thought leaders from Armenia, Croatia, Czechia, Georgia, Germany, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Ukraine, UK, and the United States. More than 150 people attended the many sessions to participate in and discuss more than 50 presentations addressing topics in agriculture, finance, international trade, economic development, education, macro and microeconomics, migration, political economy, and taxation, among others. World-renowned Armenian economist Daron Acemoglu of MIT kicked off the conference (by live video). Other keynote speakers included Arye L. Hillman of Bar-Ilan University (Friday) and Yulia Ustyugova of the International Monetary Fund (Saturday). The opening day Roundtable also featured Randall Filer of Hunter College at the City University of New York and representatives of the government and the Central Bank of Armenia, and was moderated by AEA President Gurgen Aslanyan. The conference was jointly hosted by the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies and the American University of Armenia (AUA) with financial support from individual donors in the United States and abroad. The meetings concluded Saturday evening at AUA, with the best paper awards ceremony. We look forward to another stimulating conference in 2019!

Musical Armenia – Andreasyan School of Music

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Description

Musical Armenia was founded in 2017, to support youth music education in Armenia. They believe that every child in Armenia should have access to music education, regardless of financial means. Musical Armenia has partnered with The Paros Foundation to help provide tuition scholarships and instruments for underprivileged children. Musical Armenia is solely supported by individual donors.

This project aims to provide full, ongoing music scholarships to 14 children in need from Nork Marash who attend the Andreasyan School of Music. The budget includes funds allocated for securing instruments, transportation costs and other related expenses whenever needed. Your contribution of $14 per month ($168 per year) will sponsor one child for the duration of one year. Sponsorship in any amount is welcomed.

Region

Yerevan

City / Village

Nork Marash

Start Date

September 2017

End Date

June 2022

The Need

14 children from the Andreasyan School of Music have been identified who would like to study music and need additional aid in order to pay the tuition due to their family’s economic condition.

Short Term Impact

14 children will study music in a warm and nurturing environment. In addition, the project increases teacher salaries, since teachers are paid per student and the project increases the number of students

Long Term Impact

Musical education teaches discipline, helps develop good work ethic, increases self-esteem and empowers children. This project will sponsor 14 children for the duration of their studies (maximum 8 years), making a lasting investment in the child’s development. The goal is to inspire, allow the children to explore their talents and reach their full potential. Furthermore, this project has the potential to promote Armenia’s rich culture.

Sponsors Benefits

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

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March 9, 2020

The Andreasyan School of Music will be closed due to Covid-19 following the order of the Prime Minister and until further notice. Although the building will be closed, some of the students will be able to have one on one instrument lessons via online means.

Sporting Goods for Village Schools 3, Baghanis

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Description

For many of Armenia’s most isolated and poverty stricken regions, sporting equipment is difficult to come by and expensive to buy. By supporting this project you will help thousands of children attending schools in the poverty stricken villages throughout Armenia. Although schools in these villages may have a few sporting goods, often times, the kids are playing with items that are old, unsafe and unusable.

Our goal is to purchase and distribute a variety of sporting goods and equipment to village schools and give these students the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities, play individual and team sports and exercise. In addition, the completion of this project will help to promote health and fitness.

The variety of sporting goods will include volleyballs, volleyball nets, basketballs, basketball hoops, soccer balls, soccer nets, wrestling mats, jump ropes, hula hoops, assortment of weights, tennis rackets, tennis balls and some gymnastics equipment based on the needs of individual schools.

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Baghanis

Start Date

November 2017

End Date

January 2018

Gallery Images

Worn out and torn mats at the Baghanis School make it difficult and unsafe for the children during gym.



All old, unsafe and unusable sporting goods will be replaced with newer and safer equipment for students to use.

The Need

Children living in Armenia’s poverty stricken villages cannot afford basic toys and sporting goods that can provide them with hours of entertainment and good physical exercise. This effort would help meet this need.

Short Term Impact

Students at village schools will immediately benefit from use of the new equipment as part of the education and overall fitness.

Long Term Impact

In the long term the lives of several thousand children throughout the villages of Armenia will be positively affected. This project will not only promote good health through providing them with a chance to exercise, but will also help to increase good team work skills through team sports, and give them an opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to sponsor the Sporting Goods for Village Schools project will be recognized in appropriate press related to this important project and your name listed as a sponsor on The Paros Foundation website. The Paros Foundation will happily arrange a visit to the village schools that have benefited from this project.
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November 7, 2017

Samuel Khatchadourian has decided to spearhead an effort to raise funds in support of this project in lieu of presents for his Birthday with the help of his family & friends.

 January 23, 2018

Today the shipment of new sporting goods arrived at the school in Baghanis. Excited students and staff helped unload the new balls, mats and other items.