Debi Arach Children’s Center 2017 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 150 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. Three children have been taken out of boarding schools and brought to 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. 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.

Currently in its second year, the center is working on funding year three 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 vocational training opportunities. $65,000 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

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

April 2017

End Date

March 2018

Gallery Images

The Debi Arach Children’ Center

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 150 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 2017 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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May 26, 2017

Students at Debi Arach are slowly making strides in learning new skills and making new things with the 3D printer in our Vocational Training Center.

 June 7, 2017

Amazing news! Heghush is 18 years old and graduated from high school last week. Today, Heghush was accepted to college! She plans on attending Gyumri State Pedagogical Institute and majoring in Elementary Education. She’s been at Debi Arach since our opening two years ago. We wish her all the success in the world, congratulations Heghush!

 July 3, 2017

The Mobile Dental Clinic will be at Debi Arach this month. They have been providing free of charge dental care to students and staff. Many of the students have never been to a dentist before, so it can be an intimidating moment for them, but Dr. Simonyan and Dr. Kuyumjyan – extra care and kindness – have made the idea of dental health fun.

 July 7, 2017

Very grateful for the Sustainable Energy Development Fund, UITE, Phillip Morris Armenia LLC, and Arpi Solar for making it possible for Debi Arach to go solar! Now the center will be able to provide hot water for children to shower and to help heat the center in the winter months with renewable and clean energy.

 July 22, 2017

Today SERVICE Armenia 2017 spent the day at the center to distribute backpacks and school supplies to each of our students through the Packs on Backs project.

 September 21, 2017

Everyone at Debi Arach was so excited to have Congresswoman Jackie Speier and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo visit the center today. They were accompanied by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the United States of America, Grigor Hovhannissian, as well as the Chairman of The Paros Foundation, Roger Strauch. Thank you Mr. Josh Connolly, Chief of Staff, for planning and executing this visit.

 September 25, 2017

Today, teachers began a six part training on how to properly use technology in the classroom with the help of Debi Arach computer teacher, Marina. This is an important step to help integrate new teaching techniques to help children learn.

 December 10, 2017

Students at Debi Arach all received winter boots today with the help and sponsorship from Talar Nina.

 February 8, 2018

Thanks to fundraising efforts and all donors and supporters, Debi Arach now has two SMARTBoards to help with new and innovative teaching methods!

 Debi Arach is starting a bi-monthly career fair program for students 7-10th grade. The purpose of this program is to help students learn about possible career options, hear from professionals in those sectors, and learn the steps needed to become each profession.

Debi Arach is starting a bi-monthly career fair program for students 7-10th grade. The purpose of this program is to help students learn about possible career options, hear from professionals in those sectors, and learn the steps needed to become each profession.

Ghoghanj Nor Nork – 2017-2018 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 75 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 the Nor Nork neighborhood of Yerevan to provide support to 75 additional children annually. The new center provides students the same core classes (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.

Currently, The Paros Foundation is looking for donors who will help keep this important Center running in the 2017-2018 school year. Amount will include rent, utilities, teacher salaries, maintenance and additional improvements, and supplies.

Region

Yerevan

City / Village

Nor Nork

Start Date

September 2017

End Date

August 2018

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 will need additional financial assistance in order to cover operational costs for the following school year (2017-2018).

Short Term Impact

In the short term, sponsorship of this project will help continue to employ teachers, and provide 75 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 75-100 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 2017-2018 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 new Center when you are in Armenia.
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October 1, 2017

Students from the Ghoghanj Children’s Center attended the Digitec Expo 2017 annual exhibition.

 March 22, 2018

On International Day of Forests the Armenia Tree Project joined the Learning about Forests – LEAF Initiative and visited Ghoghanj for the last of nine environmental classes. The children summarized what they had learned about trees and biodiversity and also enjoyed recycling their own paper!

Mentoring Girls in Gyumri

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Description

Nor Luyce’s program aims at stabilizing emotions, forming values, self-esteem and self-confidence of all our mentees, arming them with knowledge and skills, which will provide them with an opportunity to take steps toward a sustainable future, while breaking the stereotype that getting married as the fastest way of getting out of the orphanage. Nor Luyce is trying to empower teenagers with their own voice by providing mentoring relationships and applicable skills.

In order to improve the future and career opportunities for girls from socially disadvantage families and orphanages, we created a 3-phase, 3-year mentoring program that impacts approximately 40 girls a year. Currently, we are seeking funding for our first phase, which will provide a mentoring to 15 new Nor Luyce beneficiaries, aged 14.

Our Mentoring Phase program covers 11 months, during which 15 girls, aged 14, from socially vulnerable families and orphanages receive mentoring. Each mentor-mentee pair meet approximately 40 times for individual meetings as well as partake in 20 group meetings. During our mentoring phase, we also focus on empowering participants to become active community members through service activities, cultural events, and building leadership through various responsibilities such as presenting information to their peers and other organization members. We also offer tutoring services for any participant who is struggling academically.

In order to decrease the likelihood that girls will be trafficked or married off at a young age, we strive to provide teenagers with a positive role model and a strong connection with other girls and prominent community leaders. We focus on career aspirations and how to create the best version of themselves, using the traits, skills, and strengths the participants already possess. We also believe, that in order to empower young girls, we need to have a comprehensive approach to their development, as such following the first phase we then focus on skill-building trainings, career development, and offer scholarships for higher education. As of now, we have twelve girls in a higher education institution.

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

January 2017

End Date

August 2019

Gallery Images

With the help of the mentors, girls attending Nor Luyce will become well-rounded, active, and confident individuals.



One of Nor Luyce’s mentees with her mentor.



Mentor helping mentee with her homework.



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

The Need

Due to severe poverty, several hundred children live in institutions in Gyumri even though they may have a parent. Young women living in orphanages and boarding schools in Gyumri are at a high risk of not pursing higher education, being married off at a young age, or even becoming victims of abuse or trafficking. Mentoring these women through the Nor Luyce Mentoring Center helps provide these women skills, direction and goals for the future.

Short Term Impact

In the short term:
• 15 mentees will partake in at least 40 one-on-one meetings with their mentor
• 25 mentees will take part in at least 10 group meetings focusing on various life skills such as moving from dreams to reality, conflict resolution, stress management, etc.
• All 15 mentor-mentee pairs will complete at least one community service activity
• All mentees will take part in at least 10 overall group meetings focused on creating a global perspective on issues such as different cultures, human rights, government, etc.
• All mentees will take part in at least one international event such as International Women’s Day, International Human Rights Day, etc.
• Mentees will receive job shadowing experience at local job site
• All 15 mentees will create a presentation and lead a group discussion

Long Term Impact

In the long-term participants will:
• Will have increase in their academic performance by end of program year
• Will have increased time management skills
• Will create a career plan with short and long term goals
• Will continue onto Nor Luyce’s other 2 phases and become a more well-rounded, active, and confident individual.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsor will be recognized on both the Nor Luyce and The Paros Foundation websites, social media sites and in all appropriate press related to this project. Donors will also be mentioned in the Nor Luyce e-newsletter and be given regular progress reports on the girl’s progress during their university studies.
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January 7, 2018

The first meeting of the 2018 program year was organized for the Skill Building Phase mentees. Mentees finilized the research papers on their preferred topics.

Scholarship for a Sustainable Future (Naira)

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Description

Nor Luyce works with young girls, ages 14-17, from two local orphanages and/or from poverty stricken families from Gyurmi, Armenia. Under the direction of their Executive Director, Shoghik Mikayelyan, the program provides their mentees with positive roles models and emotional support. The reduction of isolation is provided by mentors and by field trips, which expose the children to various work and educational settings. In addition, Nor Luyce’s program emphasizes the development of educational and career plans. They are now at the stage of either beginning or continuing to help implement each older child’s plan for higher education. Each child has also either completed or is in the process of completing a career plan, which includes the most appropriate type and place of higher education.

Nor Luyce is trying to provide Naira, a young girl from Gyumri, with a scholarship that would reduce her out of pocket costs towards her education. Naira lives at home with her parents, four sisters and two brothers, one of which is suffers from epilepsy. Her parents do not work and their family barely survives on a poverty pension. Fencing has always been Naira’s passion, but unfortunately due a leg injury can no longer pursue it as a career. Instead, Naira has chosen to continue her education at the University and pursue studies in journalism, physical training or kinesiology. She enjoys listening to music, reading books, and playing table tennis. Naira is hopeful that one day she can continue her sports career in fencing and make her parents and her country proud. The requested scholarship funds will help Naira continue her studies and cover the costs of her tuition, uniform, books, stationaries, winter clothing and her transportation fee for one year.

https://youtu.be/MC0V3-pZ5Ck

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

2015

End Date

2016

The Need

Children living in orphanages and/or within poverty stricken families are often isolated and may lack the knowledge, adult support and financial ability necessary to make appropriate life choices. As a consequence, many of these children are deprived from the opportunity to pursue their education. The frustration of these deficits in addition to the expectation that they will not be able to afford additional education may even lead to a lack of motivation to seek the knowledge and support needed. By being given the opportunity to pursue educational goals, they will be able to secure job opportunities, a good future and a successful life.

Short Term Impact

Naira, who currently lives in Gyumri’s, will receive the financial support she needs, in a form of a scholarship, covering the costs of her college tuition, uniform, books, stationaries, winter clothes and transportation for one year.

Long Term Impact

The long-term goal is that Naira, being given the opportunity to continue pursuing her educational goals at the university level will have a reasonable chance to become self-sufficient member of Armenian society and have a successful life.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsors will be recognized on both the Nor Luyce and The Paros Foundation websites. Donors will be given regular progress reports on the girl’s progress during their university studies.

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Zangak Kindergarten

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Description

After the devastating 1988 Shirak Earthquake almost all of the kindergartens were damaged and some of them were completely destroyed. Although 27 years have passed there is still several kindergartens still functioning in temporary shipping containers in substandard conditions. The municipality of Gyumri tries to assists all of these kindergartens, but is unable to keep up with their many problems. The “Local Democracy Agency” (LDA) foundation, established in Gyumri in 2012, has been working to aid these kindergartens.

Currently, LDA is working closely with the Zangak Kindergarten, which has been operating since 1992. It was constructed by the Russians as a present to the children of Gyumri after the earthquake. Zangak Kindergarten operates out of a modular building with a big hall, sleep rooms, play rooms and 90 children in attendance. One wing of the kindergarten needs new flooring as many of the floorboards have rotted away.

In the past two years the Gyumri Municipality has restored the playground for the children. Sponsorship of this project will help restore the floors in one wing including the hallways, sleep rooms, play rooms and classrooms. $5,050 is needed in order to complete the restoration and LDA has already pledged $550 towards the workers compensation. The municipality has also agreed to provide sand for the restoration. The main goal of this project is to improve the conditions of the kindergarten and promote the children’s’ health and a safe environment.

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

Two months from start date

Gallery Images

The floors at the Zangak Kindergarten are in need of restoration.



Condition of the floors at the Zanagak Kindergarten prior to restoration.

The Need

The floors at the Zangak Kindergarten in Gyumri have rotted away over the last 24 years as a result of rain and termites. Zangak Kindergarten is one of the several kindergartens left in substandard condition since the 1988 Shirak Earthquake. Restoration of the floors is especially important so that the children and the staff do not fall and hurt themselves.

Short Term Impact

The short-term impact of this project will be to restore the floors in the hallways, classrooms, and playrooms and sleep rooms in one wing of the Zangak Kindergarten. All materials will be purchased in Armenia, thus providing a boost to the local economy. In addition, local villagers will be hired to complete the construction work, thus providing them with temporary jobs.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, children for years to come will have a safe and warm environment in which to start their educational careers.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to sponsor the floor restoration at the Zangak Kindergarten in Gyumri will be recognized on a plaque in the Kindergarten, on the Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation will happily arrange a visit to the kindergarten when you are in Armenia.
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Ghoghanj Nor Nork – 2015-2016 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 75 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 the Nor Nork neighborhood of Yerevan to provide support to 75 additional children annually. The new center provides students the same core classes (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.

Currently, The Paros Foundation is looking for donors who will help keep this important Center running in the 2015-2016 school year. Amount will include rent, utilities, teacher salaries, maintenance and additional improvements, and supplies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI1AwdYMja8

Region

Yerevan

City / Village

Nor Nork

Start Date

September 2015

End Date

August 2016

Gallery Images

Some of the children and staff at the Ghoghanj Children’s Center in Nor Nork.



Students working on a group project at Ghoghanj Nor Nork.



Kids learning how to sculpt during art class.



Student artwork is displayed for all to see and admire.

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 will need additional financial assistance in order to cover operational costs for the following school year (2015-2016).

Short Term Impact

In the short term, sponsorship of this project will help continue to employ teachers, and provide 75 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 75-100 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 2015-2016 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 new Center when you are in Armenia.
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April 10, 2015

As a result of inclement weather, the children at both locations of the Ghoghanj Children’s Center were treated to lunch complements of the Armenia Tree Project. Thanks Lucineh Kassarjian for your quick thinking!

Adopt A Classroom 19 – 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.

The Paros Foundation will directly oversee the renovation of a classroom at this school including doors, flooring, lighting, paint, electrical, and furniture 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

July 2016

End Date

September 2016

Gallery Images

Ljashen classroom in need of renovation.



Ljashen classroom in a state of disrepair.

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 have a newly renovated classroom in which to continue their studies. Also six local residents will be employed to renovate the classroom. 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

Donors will be recognized with a plaque installed in the remodeled classroom and on the Paros Foundation Website.
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July 19, 2016

Our local crew is making terrific progress on the renovation of the three additional classrooms at Ljashen.

 August 29, 2016

Our local crew completed the renovations to the three classrooms sponsored by Developmental Services for Armenia in time for opening day on September 1.

Vahagnadzor Kindergarten Assistance 2016

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Description

The villages of Vahagnadzor and Vahagni are approximately three miles away from one another in the Lori Region (north of the city of Vanadzor.) Neither village had an operating kindergarten for its children, until the mayor of Vahagnadzor and a team of dedicated staff and villagers reopened the village kindergarten. These villages are located along the north – south railway line. Immediately to the south of Vahagnadzor is a rail switching station. Several people from the village of Vahagni work at the station and pass through Vahagnadzor daily solving any potential transportation issues. It is estimated that approximately 10 of the potential students will come from the village of Vahagni if the school can continue operations.

A kindergarten building owned by the village of Vahagnadzor exists and is in good condition. Partial funding is needed to continue operating the kindergarten for a minimum of two years. The Kindergarten operates year-round. The annual budget of $10,000 includes one full time and four part time salaries, food and materials for the children and utilities for the building. The village budget supports the kindergarten’s operation and local villagers and other donors have pledged annually to support the kindergarten. Additional fees in support of this important project are collected as tuition fees from approximately 50% of the students that will be attending the kindergarten and whose families can afford to pay a modest monthly fee of approximately $8. It is also possible that once operational, additional funding for this kindergarten will be allocated from the Vahagni village budget. The amount needed to fund this kindergarten’s shortfall budget is $4,000 total ($2,000 for year one and $2,000 for year two).

All donors will be recognized in all press materials related to this kindergarten project and on the Paros Foundation Website. Visits to the kindergarten will be arranged for donors visiting Armenia.

Region

Lori

City / Village

Vahagnadzor, Vahagni

Start Date

2014

End Date

2016

The Need

Preschool and kindergarten education for children ages 3 to 6 has many proven and well-documented benefits. Children in the villages of Vahagnadzor and Vahagni only recently have started attended kindergarten and would once again suffer should the school cease its program.

Short Term Impact

Five people will be employed either part or full time to operate the school. In addition, 22 children ages 3 to 6 will receive appropriate kindergarten instruction.

Long Term Impact

In addition to the employment and direct instruction of a minimum of 44 children year round over two years, the villages of Vahagnadzor and Vahagni will deepen their cooperation through this collaborative project.

Sponsors Benefits

All donors will be recognized in all press materials related to this kindergarten project and on the Paros Foundation Website. Visits to the kindergarten will be arranged for donors visiting Armenia.
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April 13, 2016

The Vahagnadzor kindergarten continues to serve almost 20 children, meeting their needs for early education.

Adopt A Classroom 20 – 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.

The Paros Foundation will directly oversee the renovation of a classroom at this school including doors, flooring, lighting, paint, electrical, and furniture 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

July 2016

End Date

September 2016

Gallery Images

Ljashen classroom in need of renovation.



Ljashen classroom in a state of disrepair.

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 have a newly renovated classroom in which to continue their studies. Also six local residents will be employed to renovate the classroom. 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

Donors will be recognized with a plaque installed in the remodeled classroom and on the Paros Foundation Website.
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Updates: Images & Information

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July 19, 2016

Our local crew is making great progress on the renovation at the Ljashen school.

 August 28, 2016

Our local crew completed the renovations to the three classrooms sponsored by Developmental Services for Armenia in time for opening day on September 1.

Buy a horse

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Description

January 2014 Update
The Centaur hippo therapy center, was able to raise the funds and purchase their horses. The center now has asked us to help with the refurbishing of two cabins for overnight therapy opportunities.

The Association of Hippotherapy and Equestrian Sports Centaur NGO provides rehabilitation for physically and mentally afflicted children and adults through hippotherapy, horseback riding and equestrian sports, as well as health and recreation services. Widely recognized throughout the world, hippotherapy method was first introduced into Armenia four years ago by the Centaur staff. Centaur practices hippotherapy in the village of Ushi of Aragatsotn Marz, some 30 km from Yerevan in the North West of Armenia, with specially trained horses. It also owns 8 rescued dogs, a cow and rabbit (aiming to have more domestic animals in the future), all involved in animal therapy. Centaur is not only a hippotherapy center or a horseback riding club. Many of our visitors state that it is a place with special atmosphere where people learn building relationship with animals, through the interaction with horse and dogs overcome many fears, get rid of negative influences of big cities.

Since 2007 we have been working with the children and adults with physical and mental disorders such as CP, autism, mental deficiency, Down syndrome, scoliosis and other spinal problems, nerve system disorders and so on. Within the 4 years of our existence over 100 children and adults have been experiencing a magic healing power of the Horse.

Region

Aragatsotn

City / Village

Ushi

Start Date

June 2014

End Date

December 2014

Gallery Images

Centaur practices equestrian therapy to help physically and mentally afflicted children and adults.



Cabins in need of refurbishing.

The Need

Centaur hippotherapy center needs to buy a horse that was trained and currently is used by the Centaur team in a work with handicapped children and adults. The horse, Jeffa, is one of the 8 horses Centaur uses for hippotherapy and horseback riding. Centaur owns 2 of the horses we use; the rest belongs to a private owner who provided us his horses in exchange for us to provide the horses with care and fodder. The owner faces financial problems and has put his horses fore sale. Jeffa is of a very good blood and is worth more than the $2000 he asks for her. Jeffa is a unique horse – very emotional, kind, vivid and famous in the region for having one horse eye (almost without white part) and one human eye (white and black round in the middle). Our goal is to purchase all four horses as funds become available in order to continue providing this important therapy to Armenia’s children.

Short Term Impact

Keeping the horse is very important for us because she is already trained – to train a new horse for hippotherapy take around 3 years; she has a broad pace and trot, excellent especially for the children with balance and coordination disorder – currently 10 children get hippotherapy only or mostly on Jeffa; she is used in horseback riding lessons and horse tours as well, thus bringing income that goes for her and other horses’ fodder.

Long Term Impact

We can take out 4 horses at the same time. Because we are not based in Yerevan people usually prefer to come for riding and tours in a group. Also we aim to organize a camp in the near future. If we lose Jeffa we will be able to take only 3 horses at the same time, which means that we will have less clients and less income for horses. A year fodder for the horse costs around 1200 dollars a year. We buy hay from local villagers and carrot for horses from neighboring village. So with selling that horse villagers also lose a good part of their income. The groom also loses some part of the salary since she takes care of one horse less.

Sponsors Benefits

The donor’s name will be mentioned with gratitude on the horse’s box, on our website and our group on Facebook. In addition, all donors will be listed on the Paros 100 for 100 website and in all appropriate press. Not less important is the fact that paying for her the donor saves her because none of the potential buyers lives in a village so whoever buys her Jeffa will be taken from her natural environment – the village with fresh mountainous air and direct access to the fields where she grazes several hours a day to the city with its polluted air, annoying noise and no access to the nature.
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January 2, 2014

Through their own network of resources, the Centaur hippo therapy center, was able to raise the funds and purchase a couple of horses. The center has asked us to help with the refurbishing of two cabins for overnight therapy opportunities.

 November 29, 2014

Our team visited the center and the cabin’s renovations are complete.