Wrestling Programs in Tavush

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Description

The ARM HOF (Armenian Hall of Fame) Organization has partnered with The Paros Foundation to implement several wrestling programs at schools in Armenia’s Tavush Region.  

Wrestling programs will include installing proper wrestling mats along with other training equipment, providing coaching salary for one year, and organizing wrestling tournaments among participating schools.

During this initial phase, we hope to raise the necessary funds to launch wrestling programs at 10 schools.  To successfully launch a wrestling team at a school, the school needs some minimum equipment including mats, a climbing rope, free weights, pull up bar, practice mannequins and uniforms. This equipment can cost up to $5,000 depending on whether or not the school already has any of these items. In addition, salaries of coaching staffs can cost up to a maximum of $1,500 per year. In addition to these per school costs, to successfully sponsor a quarterly tournament, transportation for all the schools must be arranged, along with other expenses. This can cost up to a total of $500 per tournament.

Students at school throughout Armenia take a keen interest in physical fitness and wrestling in particular, but due to a lack of funding for both equipment and coaches students often cannot participate. This effort aims at building interest and the necessary support to help students accelerate in this sport an early age, just preparing them for success at future Olympic games and another international Competitions!

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur, Berd, Tavush

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

June 2023

Gallery Images

Students at the school in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur enjoy wrestling during gym class.

The Need

To promote friendly competition between neighboring schools, fitness, and the sport of wrestling, Schools must be equipped with proper equipment and coaching staff salaries. Schools in the isolated Tavush Region do not have the resources to promote wrestling at their schools and competition amongst their schools.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, wrestling materials and equipment will be purchased and installed at schools. Coaches will also be identified at each school. Students will be registered who wish to participate on these teams.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, from the competitions between neighboring schools will lead to a sense of pride in one school, better overall fitness, and add an interesting dimension to village Life. As these programs grow top athletes will be recognized across the country.

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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February 26, 2022

The first Induction event of athletes to the Armenian Hall of Fame took place today in Glendale, California.  Proceeds from this event helped benefit the first of the wrestling projects.  An amazing group of athletes attended and supported the event. 

October 30, 2023

In the Tavush region, 110 kids from 7 different villages and towns, including participants from Artsakh, competed in a wrestling competition that was held for the first time in five years. This is the culmination of months of intramural wrestling support funded through the generosity of the Armenian Sports Hall of Fame via the Paros Foundation including coaches, equipment and training.

Training and Education in Vayots Dzor

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Description

Following the 2020 war, a large number of young people ended up in the Vayots Dzor Region of Armenia, including Young people who were injured during the war. To help provide specialty training including vocational to help these young people work and earn a living, this special fund has been created. Work will be done to support the activities and specialized training via a variety of non-governmental organizations in the Vayots Dzor Region.

Region

Vayots Dzor

City / Village

Syunik and neighboring villages

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

Six months after start

The Need

Displaced young people and returning soldiers with disabilities need specialized training and education to hold the skills they need to work and earn a living. Currently very few opportunities for these young people exist in this area.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, local NGOs will be engaged to establish vocational another specialty training programs in the region. This will immediately benefit both instructors as well as students.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, the economic conditions throughout the region will improve as these young people master their skills and work.

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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Kindergarten for Nerkin Tsaghkavan

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Description

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

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

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Nerkin Tsakhavan

Start Date

June 4, 2022

End Date

January 31, 2023

Gallery Images

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

The Need

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

Short Term Impact

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

Long Term Impact

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

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors of this important project will be listed on The Paros Foundation’s website and in all press related to this project. Visits to these communities can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.

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

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

June 12, 2023

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

Ponics Farming on the Border

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Description

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

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur, Aygepar

Start Date

Spring 2022

End Date

Gallery Images

Aquaponic systems operate in a complete controlled environment.



Fruits and vegetables can be grown in aquaponic systems.



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



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

The Need

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

Short Term Impact

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

Long Term Impact

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

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors of this important project will be listed on The Paros Foundation’s website and in all press related to this project. Visits to these communities can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.

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November 15, 2022

Construction on the Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur aquaponics greenhouse begins. 

April 27, 2023

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

May 12, 2023

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

June 23, 2023

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

September 10, 2024

Regular classes for students at the school began today. 

January 20, 2024

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

Scholarship for a Sustainable Future: Gohar M.

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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 Gyumri, 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 Gohar M., with a scholarship that would reduce her out of pocket cost towards her education. Gohar was born on March 3, 2002 in Gyumri. She has a brother and a father. Her father has health issues and is bedridden. Gohar lost her mom to cancer when she was only 14 years old. Her brother is working and taking care of the family. Their monthly income is only 31000 AMD which is equivalent to about $80 USD.

Gohar is studying in the department of Tourism at Shirak State University. Gohar joined Nor Luyce in 2019. She is very smart, broad-minded, hardworking, responsible for her actions and words, and respectful towards everyone. She is only 18 years old but she is very mature compared to her peers. Together with her mentor Gohar worked to reach the ideal person that she desired to be. 

Currently, Gohar needs our support in getting her degree because her family is socially vulnerable. The requested scholarship funds will help Gohar continue her studies. She needs our support to get a college degree to be able to have a better future.

https://youtu.be/jJjU-332ZKc

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

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

Long Term Impact

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

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsors will be recognized on both the Nor Luyce and Paros Foundation websites. Donors will be given regular progress reports on the girls’ progress during their university studies.
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Scholarship for a Sustainable Future: Nina A.

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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 Gyumri, 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 Nina A., with a scholarship that would reduce her out of pocket cost towards her education. Nina was born in 2003 in Gyumri. Her family consists of five people; her mother, father, two brothers and her. Nina’s father doesn’t have a permanent job. He travels back and forth to Russia for a seasonal jobs. Her mother is not employed. They receive a social stipend from the government. Nina is the first person in her family pursuing a university degree. She is a freshman in the journalism department at the Shirak State University.

Nina joined Nor Luyce in 2016. Currently she is the president of Nor Luyce alumni group. Nina is honest, trustworthy and hardworking. She is patient and doesn’t get scared when facing challenges. Nina is a responsible and active mentee. When joining Nor Luyce program, Nina was very shy and introverted, however, with the help of the program Nina gained a number of skills and knowledge. 

Currently,  Nina needs our support in getting her degree because her family is socially vulnerable. The requested scholarship funds will help Nina continue her studies and cover the costs of her tuition, books, stationaries, and her transportation fee for one year.

https://youtu.be/PPcev6oYeHo

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

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

Nina A. will receive the financial support she needs, in a form of a scholarship, covering the costs of her college tuition, books, stationaries, and transportation.

Long Term Impact

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

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsors will be recognized on both the Nor Luyce and Paros Foundation websites. Donors will be given regular progress reports on the girls’ progress during their university studies.
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Scholarship for a Sustainable Future: Aida V.

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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 Gyumri, 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 Aida V., with a scholarship that would reduce her out of pocket cost towards her education. Aida was born in Hatsik village in Armenia. Her family consists of five people, her father, mother, brother, grandparent and her. Aida’s father works in agriculture. Her mother works at the school. Aida’s brother participated in the 44-day war with Azerbaijan during which he was wounded. Currently he is still serving in the army at the border.

Aida is studying in the Armenian-English translation department at the Shirak State University. She is in her first year. Aida joined Nor Luyce in 2018. At that time she lacked self-confidence and had low self-esteem. However, she has successfully completed all her phases at Nor Luyce and is a Nor Luyce alum. Thanks to Nor Luyce, Aida has become self-confident, can express her opinion easily and she has developed leadership skills. All these years, Aida has been one of the best mentees, participated in all the meetings and events. Currently she volunteers at Nor Luyce helping the staff in different activities. She also gave a number of presentations on bullying at various communities in the Shirak Region. 

Currently, Aida needs our support in getting her degree because her family is socially vulnerable. The requested scholarship funds will help Naira continue her studies and cover the costs of her tuition, books, stationaries, and her transportation fee.

https://youtu.be/rK9i0kahHMY

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

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

Aida V. will receive the financial support she needs, in a form of a scholarship, covering the costs of her college tuition, books, stationaries, and transportation.

Long Term Impact

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

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsors will be recognized on both the Nor Luyce and Paros Foundation websites. Donors will be given regular progress reports on the girls’ progress during their university studies.
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Sporting Goods for Village Schools

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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

All

City / Village

All

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

One month after start date

Gallery Images

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



Many of the sporting goods are unsafe and unusable.



Worn out volleyball net.

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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Debi Arach Children’s Center 2022 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 eight and raising additional funds in order to develop and add to the programs and classes offered with the ability to hire more educators, and get more supplies, and equipment. Funds will also be used to supplement daily activities, hold forums for guest speakers and provide educational and career planning opportunities. $82,000 is needed to cover operating costs for the Center. In January of 2017, Debi Arach successfully launched its first program within its Vocational Training Center, teaching children computer programming, 3d printing and robotics curriculum. The goal of this newest component is to provide these children with marketable job skills in order to help them work themselves out of poverty. In 2019, with the long term commitment by Dr. & Mrs. Gary and Linda Assarian (MI) the vocational training program was renamed the Assarian Vocational Training Program.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idA8y2UEDp8

Region

Shirak / Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri / Գյումրի

Start Date

April 2022

End Date

March 2023

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 2022 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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July 9, 2022

Med-Aid Armenia visits Debi Arach providing checkups for the children to keep them healthy and catch any potential health issues.

December 23, 2022

Today the children of Debi Arach celebrate Christmas with lunch, carols, and a special visit from Santa Claus!

Assarian Vocational Training Program 2021-2023

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Description

The Paros Foundation established the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Gyumri, Armenia on April 15, 2015. The center, which provides over 180 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.

In 2016, Debi Arach 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. Students participate in their choice of several programs including computer programing 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. In 2019, additional vocational options was added to the program including instruction for cosmetologists, hair stylists, make up artists and manicurists and the eventual launch of the Hianali Beauty Center. The salon is run as a social enterprise open to the public for services as well as training classes for students. 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 2021

End Date

December 2023

Gallery Images

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, 50 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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Updates: Images & Information

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February 6, 2021

Today our team visited the Lentex Textile factory where Assarian Vocational Training Program participants are training to be seamstresses.

June 25, 2021

Participants are starting training at Digital Pomegranate where they will learn skills in software and programming, computer repairs, and many more useful computer skills. 

August 29, 2021

Construction on the Hianali Beauty Center is complete!

September 27, 2021

SERVICE Armenia 2021 Young Professionals visits Digital Pomegranate to learn about the Assarian Vocational Training Program.

October 17, 2021

Today the first hairstyling training at the Hianali Beauty Center was held. We are excited for participants to take many more training classes at the center. 

October 25, 2021

The Hianali Beauty Center is open! A ribbon cutting was held to celebrate the momentous occasion and vocational training participants showcased the skills they have already learned at the Hianali Beauty Center. This joyous occasion marks the beginning of valuable skills learned at the Hianali Beauty Center.

July 12, 2022

SERVICE Armenia 2022 visits the Hianali Beauty Center to learn more about the Assarian Vocational Training Program.

October 21, 2022

Today participants from the Hianali Beauty Center Assarian Vocational Training program graduated the program. They were joined by the Paros Team that threw the graduates a party to celebrate their accomplishment.