Packs on Backs Armenia: Debi Arach 2024

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Description

The Packs on Backs initiative, was started by the The Heros Humanitarian Foundation (HHF), a former Los Angeles based non-profit organization that supported children in need and their educational advancement. HHF partnered with The Paros Foundation to bring their Packs on Backs initiative to Armenia, and together successfully distributed 380 backpacks and school supplies to children in Gyumri and Vanadzor in the summer of 2015 and 225 backpacks to the children at the Kharpert Children’s Home in the summer of 2016. Since then, the Packs on Backs initiative continues to impact the lives of children in need in Armenia with this essential need.

Our next distribution will be for the kids attending the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri. Socially vulnerable children attend the center after their school and receive both humanitarian and educational support through a holistic approach. The Paros Foundation established the Debi Arach Children’s Center on April 15, 2015 and has since provided children each week the necessary academic, psychological, social and humanitarian support they need to succeed. Gyumri’s devastating history has left more than 100,000 residents homeless, and plagued with unemployment and rampant poverty. These families often struggle to provide their children with life’s basic necessities; therefore making backpacks and school supplies a distant priority. Children at the center were recipients of backpacks and school supplies during our first distribution in 2015 and distributions have continued in years since. This distribution will meet the ongoing needs of all of the children. Our goal is to distribute backpacks and supplies for 180 children attending Debi Arach. A donation of $35 will help obtain one backpack filled with supplies for one child. School supplies will be grade appropriate and include a combination of pencils, pens, pencil cases, notebooks, folders, erasers, sharpeners, glue, scissors, rulers, highlighters, and crayons. In-kind donations of the items listed are also welcomed.

Region

Shirak / Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri / Գյումրի

Start Date

July 2024

End Date

July 2024

Gallery Images

Children will receive backpacks filled with several needed school supplies.

The Need

It is very difficult for a child to learn and excel in their studies without a proper backpack and essential school supplies. In addition, without the proper supplies these children are less likely to attend school on a regular basis, hence severely hindering their educational growth and minimizing future opportunities.

Short Term Impact

A total of 180 children from Gyumri’s poverty stricken communities attending the Debi Arach Children’s Center will receive either proper backpacks and school supplies or new school supplies to aid in their educational advancement. Local school supplies will be purchased whenever economically feasible in turn boosting the local economy.

Long Term Impact

Your donation to sponsor the Packs on Backs Armenia: Debi Arach project will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project.

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.

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July 10, 2024

The SERVICE Armenia group assembled backpacks with necessary supplies for the next school year. The back packs will be distributed to the children of Debi Arach in Gyumri ahead of their school year beginning.

July 30, 2024

The backpacks were distributed with the help of the Dadourian and Barmakian Families to all 180 children at the Debi Arach Children’s Center. Thank you to all of the donors who made this project possible. The children are now ready for the new school year ahead of them!

Assarian Vocational Training Program

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Description

In 2016, the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri launched their vocational training program at the center in order to provide young adults with a set of skills and tools they will need to secure gainful employment and help break their family’s cycle of poverty. For years, students have participated in their choice of several programs including computer programming classes using a curriculum developed by the Union of Information Technology Enterprises, 3D printing and related software and programming, and computer repairs – both hardware and software. Since 2019, additional vocational options were added to the program including instruction for cosmetologists, hair stylists, make-up artists and manicurists. In 2021, the Hianali Beauty Center was launched as a salon that offers training classes for students, as well as public services. Furthermore, vocational courses are also offered at Digital Pomegranate and the Lentex Textile Factory, both located in Gyumri.  

In 2019, the vocational training program was renamed Assarian Vocational Training Program in honor of the Dr. Gary and Linda Assarian Family Foundation, whose generous donations underwrite the vocational training programs. 

Sponsorship towards this project will help run the vocational programs in Gyumri, including staff wages and supplies. The goal is to help hundreds of people develop a vision for a successful future, and to give them the skills they need to reach these goals. 

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

January 2024

End Date

Gallery Images

A training class at Lentex Textile Factory.



Students in gel manicure training at the Hianali Beauty Center.



Participants take computer computer courses at Digital Pomegranate.

The Need

Young adults living in extreme poverty in Gyumri, who are not interested or able to continue their higher education, have very bleak prospects for a successful future. To combat this reality, the Debi Arach Vocation Center provides job skills and aid in job placement in order to help these young adults change their lives towards a successful future by gaining real skills and securing real employment.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, students, both current and new, will participate in one of several training programs offered for the duration of a year. Four trainers will be employed and facilitate classes.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, the cycle of poverty will be broken for the newer generations in Gyumri. The new skills these young adults will gain through vocational courses will help secure great jobs and provide opportunities to change their lives. In addition, Gyumri’s economy will also benefit from additional skills being introduced to the job market.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to sponsor the Debi Arach Vocational Center will be recognized on a plaque, on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation will happily arrange a visit to the vocational center when you are in Armenia.

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August 29, 2024

Congratulations to the latest Lentex class of 15 women, including several Artsakh refugees, who have successfully completed their training and are now employed full-time at the Lentex textile factory. This achievement was made possible through the invaluable support of the Assarian Vocational Training Program, spearheaded by Dr. Gary and Mrs. Linda Assarian. We are proud of these women for successfully taking on a new venture.

September 10, 2024

Dr. Gary Assarian, was highlighted by his Alma Mater, Lake Forest College, on his and his wife Linda’s work in Armenia with The Paros Foundation! Read more about their philanthropy in Armenia here.

Meds Masrik School Improvements

Description

Meds Masrik is a village in the Gegharkunik region of Armenia. It is a border village with a population of 3,000. The Meds Masrik School has 420 children in attendance. Despite the abundance of students, the school has never had access to computers for educational purposes. With our help, the school has allocated a 650 sq. ft. classroom to be renovated and equipped with computers.

With the recent population growth because of families displaced from Artsakh, the school has a shortage of available classrooms. There are three classrooms that need major renovations to accommodate the influx of new students. 

This work will cost the following:

$7,200 for 12 computers
$6,500 for the computer classroom
$1,800 for furniture
$15,000 for three classrooms

Region

Gegharkunik

City / Village

Meds Masrik

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

Four Months After Start

Gallery Images

The Meds Masrik School principal’s office will be converted and renovated into the computer classroom.



One of the classrooms at the Meds Masrik School that needs to be renovated.



The second classroom that will be renovated.



The third classroom that needs renovations.

The Need

The Meds Masrik School services 420 children. The school needs computers and renovations on classrooms to provide the best possible environment for students’ classes.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, 420 students will enjoy new computers and learn valuable computer skills. They will also have three newly renovated classrooms that provide a clean, safe, and comfortable environment to learn.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, thousands of children will benefit from the renovations completed at the school. The children will learn lasting computer skills that can lead to careers in Armenia’s technology industry. Providing this resource to children in a border village will also give them more opportunities to learn real-life skills. 

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors of this project will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website, on a plaque at the Meds Masrik School, and in appropriate press related to this important project. Visits can be arranged to Meds Masrik for sponsors during their visits to Armenia. Naming rights are available for classroom renovations. 

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November 2024The school in Meds Masrik currently has 425 students including 45 from Artsakh, and needs additional renovations to accommodate these new students. We have already helped renovate and equip the computer classroom, the nurse’s station and three additional classrooms, but one additional wing needs a complete renovation. This wing encompasses four additional classrooms and one additional set of bathrooms. Once renovated, these classrooms will house the 4th- 8th grade students. The renovation for this wing will cost $95,000 including a new roof, furniture and heating system.January 28, 2025

On January 28, The Paros Team visited the Meds Masrik School and were happy to see the renovated wing made possible with the help of Developmental Services for Armenia and The Ararat Chapter of Homenetmen.

Debi Arach Children’s Center 2024 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 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. $92,000 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 2024

End Date

March 2025

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 2024 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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April 24, 2024

On the 109th Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, Peter Abajian and The Paros Team visited the Debi Arach Children’s Center. With our staff , the children commemorated April 24th through a presentation on Armenian Genocide history.

June 26, 2024

Med-Aid Armenia 2024 visited the Debi Arach Children’s Center providing important health check-ups for the children. 

August 5, 2024

The Dadourian and Barmakian Families visited the Debi Arach Children’s Center, which they have been main supporters of since day one in 2015. During their visit, they made gata, handed out backpacks to the children, and distributed groceries to families living in domiks. We were also thrilled to show the family the site of our Paros Housing, After-School & Vocational Center, which will house our second Debi Arach location and provide apartments for 27 families.

November 12, 2024

The families of Debi Arach Children’s Center gathered for an informative night to learn more about the direction and future of the center. It was a great night with collaborative feedback from the families.

Adopt A Classroom – Nor Ughi

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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?

The Paros Foundation will directly oversee the renovation of a classroom in the Nor Ughi  Village School. Nor Ughi Village is located in Armenia’s Ararat Region. Almost 2,000 people call Nor Ughi and neighboring Ginevet Village their home. Many in these villages are employed at Vedi Alcohol factory or are engaged in agricultural activities.

162 students attend the village school from both the neighboring village of Ginevet and Nor Ughi, which is in overall poor condition. Portions of the school have been modestly renovated using the school’s annual budget.

Currently, we will be raising funds to renovate one classroom including new doors, flooring, lighting, ceiling, paint and new furniture. 

Region

Ararat

City / Village

Ginevet, Nor Ughi

Start Date

December 2023

End Date

February 2024

Gallery Images

A typical Armenian classroom prior to renovation.



Classroom will receive new doors, lighting, ceiling, paint and new furniture.



New flooring will also be installed.



Students will be able to attend class in a newly updated and modern classroom.

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 the employment of at least four people to renovate the classroom and the benefit to the local economy through the order for needed supplies.

Long Term Impact

In the  long-term many years of students will be able to attend class in a newly updated and modern classroom. This will have a huge psychological impact on both the students and teacher. 

Sponsors Benefits

Donors will be recognized with a plaque installed in the remodeled classroom and on The Paros Foundation website.

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December 26, 2023

Today the crew started construction on the Nor Ughi classroom by removing the flooring and preparing construction materials. This brings us one step closer to providing a newly refurbished classroom for students. 

February 26, 2024

Today the classroom furniture was delivered making renovations on the Nor Ughi Village School complete! For years to come, the children will have a safe and clean environment to learn.

Support the Debi Arach Children’s Center

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Khndzoresk Kindergarten Renovation

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Description

More than 2,000 residents call the ancient village of Khndzoresk their home.  This large village on the border with Azerbaijan has a rich history and is known for its beautiful canyon and cave dwellings. 

The village’s large kindergarten currently is operating with three groups of children (75 in total) and has a waiting list of an additional 30 children who would like to attend, but cannot do to the conditions within parts of the building.

Over the years, parts of the kindergarten have been renovated and operating.  However, the roof over two parts of the kindergarten needs to be replaced and the entire facility does not have proper heating and is currently heated in the cold winter months with ineffective electric heaters.  In addition, one complete wing of the kindergarten encompassing a classroom, sleeping room and bathroom needs to be renovated to expand the number of children attending.  The balance of the kindergarten needs to have a cosmetic renovation throughout.  

Region

Syunik

Start Date

March 2024

City / Village

Khndzoresk

End Date

October 2024

Gallery Images

Children at the kindergarten in Khndzoresk.



Some of the Khndzoresk kindergarten’s windows are replaced, and others need to be replaced.



Years of water damage from the leaky roof have scarred many of the kindergarten’s walls and has created unsanitary conditions.



This large classroom needs to be renovated to help expand the kindergarten in Khndzoresk.



This is the current bathroom in the wing that needs to be renovated to help expand the kindergarten in Khndzoresk.



The kitchen storage room needs to be renovated as part of the entire kindergarten’s renovation and expansion.



The kitchen at the kindergarten in Khndzoresk needs to be renovated and equipped with proper ventilation.

The Need

The large village of Khndzoresk has children that cannot attend kindergarten because of the current conditions within the building.  This negatively effects both the children and their families.  In addition, the current facility does not have proper heating and is not protected against rainy weather. 

Short Term Impact

Work at the kindergarten in Khdzoresk will begin as soon as funding is available with the roof and balance of windows that need to be replaced.  Once the exterior of the building is sealed, work will begin on the inside of the facility.  This will immediately create several part time jobs and have a boost for the local economy as all materials will be purchased locally. 

Long Term Impact

In the long term, once construction is completed, three new full time jobs will be created with the expansion of the kindergarten.  In addition, 25 new children and their families will benefit from the fact that they will be able to attend kindergarten in a safe and comfortable surroundings.

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 the kindergarten in Khndzoresk can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.

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March 3, 2024

Today, renovations on the Khndzoresk Kindergarten began. The crew removed old roofing and is ready to continue renovations.

April 3, 2024

Work on the interior of the Khndzoresk Kindergarten has started with the crew removing old walls and flooring.

May 15, 2024

The crew has made great progress! So far, they have installed new flooring, windows, doors, supports and paneling for the walls and ceilings, as well as painted several rooms, and so much more. 

July 11, 2024

Today, the SERVICE Armenia 2024 group had a work day at the Khndzoresk Kindergarten. Our team sanded and painted walls, cleaned the various spaces, and laid down laminate flooring. 

September 1, 2025

Renovations on the Khndzoresk Kindergarten are complete!

October 6, 2024

Representatives from the local community, lead project sponsor, representatives of The Paros Foundation and officials gathered for a ribbon cutting showcasing the newly renovated Khndzoresk Kindergarten. 

Armenia Honey Project

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Description

Economic opportunities for rural Armenian communities are scarce.   To help address this important issue, The Paros Foundation has launched several initiatives aimed at job creation in rural communities.  This includes planting more than 800 fruit-bearing trees, establishing a pig farm, fertilizer production, small animal feed production and honey production.  These economic development opportunities are all administered under the auspices of the Aygepar Business Incubator, which provides rent-free space, sanitary conditions and marketing and technical expertise to local businesses.

The Paros Foundation successfully launched a high quality honey production just outside of the village of Verin Tsakhavan and later, in the village of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur in the Berd area of Armenia’s Tavush Region with 200 bee hives.  This was all done with the generous support of Dr. & Mrs. Gary and Linda Assarian (MI-USA).  

Now the goal is to expand this production adding 50 more bee hives into a new community.  This will both add to the commercially viable quantities of high-altitude, raw honey, and will lead to expanded job creation and opportunities in the market place. All components of this important project are manufactured locally in the Armenian market including the hives, bee families, wax starter sheets and concrete block stands.  Even the glass jars for sale are manufactured in Armenia!

In addition to this projects job creating and economic benefits, as with the hives in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur, these new hives will serve as an educational curriculum for students at the school in the new village that is ultimately selected.  This living classroom approach has proved very successful to date.

One complete hive and bee colony costs $300. New hives and colonies will be added to expand the total number in the spring. Individuals that sponsor a complete hive will receive one jar of honey from this year’s harvest.

PERSONALIZE YOUR JAR OF HONEY HERE

Region

Various

City / Village

Various

Start Date

October 2023

End Date

Gallery Images

The Paros Foundation’s existing hives are located in a secure and ecologically serine area of Verin Tsakhavan



2021 honey production amounted to almost 800 lbs of high quality honey.



Honey produced at the Aygepar Incubator is for sale at various supermarkets throughout Yerevan.



Students at the school in Nerkin Karmir Aghybur work in the field as part of their education.

The Need

To help combat limited economic opportunities in rural communities, The Paros Foundation is working to create job opportunities and collective marketing opportunities via its Aygepar Business Incubator. Expanding honey production will not only create new jobs and help educate rural village children in the process of beekeeping, but encourage other local residents to expand their beehives as new markets will benefit the entire area.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, an immediate economic impact will be felt through the purchase and expansion of 50 new beehives in the spring. This will effect the hive producers, bee colony farmers, block producers and create addition jobs for bee keepers and teachers at the local school.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, expanded honey production will create commercially viable quantities of honey both for local consumption and export. As children at the school take interest in and gain beekeeping skills, they too will consider establishing hives for their own family’s use. Once export markets are established, other local honey producers will have opportunities to export their harvests as well.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsors that donate at least $300 to “sponsor a hive” will receive a jar of honey from the 2022 harvest. In addition, all sponsors are listed on The Paros Foundation website. Visits to the honey field can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.

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June 2, 2024

A new field of 50 bee hives has been set up in the village of Gusanagyugh. First, the bee boxes were delivered. After the bees were delivered, The Paros team carefully placed the bees in their new bee boxes.

Nor Ughi School Gym

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Description

Nor Ughi Village is located in Armenia’s Ararat Region and is home to the Vedi Alcohol Company.  Almost 2,000 people call Nor Ughi and neighboring Ginevet Village their home.  Many in these villages are employed at Vedi Alcohol factory or are engaged in agricultural activities. 

162 students attend the village school from both the neighboring village of Ginevet and Nor Ughi, which is in overall poor condition.  Portions of the school have been modestly renovated using the school’s annual budget.  The gymnasium at the school has heat and new windows, but the walls, floors, ceiling, adjacent hallway and locker rooms need a complete renovation.  Currently, students cannot utilize the gym in its entirety because of the fact that the existing wood flooring is rotten and unsafe to walk on in many areas. 

Mr. and Mrs. John & June Mangassarian from Rhode Island, visited the school in the past as part of his leadership with a Fuller Center project in the same village.  The Mangassarians have pledged to match any contribution to this important project to help.  

Work on this gym will take an estimated four months to complete and will include repairs to the walls and ceiling, new electrical, flooring and paint.  The locker rooms and hallway will also be renovated as part of this project. 

Region

Ararat

City / Village

Ginevet, Nor Ughi

Start Date

April 17, 2023

End Date

July 14, 2023

Gallery Images

The Gym at the Nor Ughi School is dangerous and cannot be used by students.



The hallway leading to the school’s locker rooms and gym at the Nor Ughi School.



The boys and girls locker rooms at the Nor Ughi School need to be completely remodeled.



Paros staff visited the school to assess the gym project.



John Mangassarian working out with the students at the Nor Ughi School.

The Need

162 students that attend the Nor Ughi School in the communities of Nor Ughi and Ginevet cannot use the school’s gym because it is in need of a full renovation.  The school’s modest annual budget does not allow it to renovate this facility.  

Short Term Impact

In the short term, the village will receive a modest economic benefits of construction related costs as construction materials will be purchased locally and the work will be completed with local labor crews.  Once completed, 162 students at the school will receive the benefits of having a fully functioning gym at the school.  

Long Term Impact

Over the useful life of the school’s gym renovation, an estimated 2,000 children will receive the benefits of sports at their school.  This will promote both a healthier lifestyle and help them focus on their studies. 

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. Sponsor names will also be listed on a plaque at the school. Visits to these communities can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.

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April 17, 2023

Construction began today at the Nor Ughi school’s gym with our team working to remove the deteriorating plaster and loose paint from the walls and gym ceiling.

July 14, 2023With work on the gym completed, an official ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate its opening. Students warmly greeted donors Mr. and Mrs. John & June Mangassarian with singing and dancing performances to show their appreciation for a brand new area for them to play.
December 7, 2023

With remaining funds from the renovation, we have purchased gym equipment including balls, jumprope, and gymnastics equipment for the students to play with.

Komitas Conservatory Student Scholarships

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Description

The Cultural Society of Armenians from Istanbul has created a scholarship fund in memory of one if its founding members, Mr. Shahen Kavafian.

Mr. Kavafian was born on August 24, 1933 in Istanbul, Turkey, where he received his primary education.  He graduated from Robert College in Istanbul and then moved to the United States to further his education. He received a master’s degree in engineering at the University of Michigan and settled in metro Detroit.  He worked at Detroit Edison for the entirety of his professional career.  

In 1964, he became one of the founding members of the Cultural Society of Armenians from Istanbul, an organization which helps promote Armenian cultural and educational programs.  Mr. Kavafian shared a love of music and the arts with his mother, who was an accomplished pianist.  

When Mr. Kavafian passed away on April 20, 2019, he left a generous contribution to the Cultural Society of Armenians from Istanbul.  To honor his memory, a music scholarship fund has been created to support student’s attending the Komitas Conservatory in Yerevan, Armenia.  

Students wishing to apply for this scholarship may do so through the APPLICATION HERE.

Region

Yerevan

City / Village

Yerevan

Start Date

2023

End Date

2024

Gallery Images

Shahen Kavafian
1933-2019

The Need

Students who wish to pursue studies at the Komitas Conservatory often have financial difficulties meeting their tuition requirements.  The government of Armenia does offer some tuition assistance to students in need, however they cannot meet the needs of all of the students.  

Short Term Impact

In the short term, students who are in financial need will be able to continue their musical education with the support of these scholarships. 

Long Term Impact

In the long term, Armenia’s rich cultural and heritage will be promoted through these students pursuit of the arts.

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 the Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.

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Updates: Images & Information

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0P1pwrDb74https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vRQ3oI83b0
June 7, 2023

At the Komitas Conservatory, six scholarships have been awarded to bright young musicians  that were in need of financial aid to continue their academic studies in 2023.