New Windows for Yeghvard Kindergarten

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Description

Yeghvard is a small border village in Armenia’s Syunik Region. It has a population of just under 300 people. Despite its population and border village status, Yeghvard has a vibrant kindergarten with almost a dozen children attending. The kindergarten does not have a gas connection for its heating needs, and old wooden windows make the space difficult to heat and operate in the winter months, thus leaving the children unable to attend.

Region

Syunik

City / Village

Yeghvard

Start Date

July 2021

End Date

July 2021

Gallery Images

Yeghvard’s Kindergarden is a special place for the children that attend.



Because of cold and inadequate windows at the Yeghvard Kindergarten, children can only attend in the warmer months.



Play time at the Yeghvard Kindergarten.



New windows would allow for a year-round program at the Yeghvard Kindergarten.

The Need

The Yeghvard Kindergarten needs new windows to help create a safe, clean and comfortable environment for the children to benefit from early education.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, new windows will be installed at the Yeghvard Village Kindergarten. These windows will be purchased and installed locally, thus creating a modest benefit to the local economy.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, children in the village of Yeghvard will benefit from a safe, clean and comfortable environment to attend kindergarten year-round.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsors of this important project will be listed on The Paros Foundation’s website, on a plaque at the kindergarten and in all relevant press related to this project. Visits can be arranged for sponsors to this kindergarten during their trips to Armenia.
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July 28, 2021

Work to replace the old windows was completed at the kindergarten along with the installation of new electric heaters. 

Recycling on the Border 2

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Description

Recycling in border villages in the Tavush region is currently extremely limited; as a result, plastic and other trash often goes uncollected and liters the communities. When it is collected, the waste is often put into landfills or it is burned.

Following the success of the first Recycling on the Border project, The Paros Foundation has partnered with the Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Development of Communities NGO, or ‘ISSD’ to implement their second recycling initiative in ten border villages in the Tavush region. The proposed project involves going to several schools and providing specially marked recycling bins for paper and plastic. The children will then be educated on the benefits of recycling and why it is important. Schools will be given three months to collect the recycling, when it will then be picked up and transferred to the proper recycling facilities.

Some new components have also been introduced. In order to provide incentive first and second place prizes will be given out to the schools who have collected the most paper and the most plastic at the end of the competition. The schools participating will also need to choose 5-10 students to be student ambassadors (depending on the size of the school). The model for the student ambassadors is as follows:

• One student from each grade, starting from the 4th grade
• The rest of the ambassadors will be from the older grades (whomever wants to participate up to 10 total ambassadors)
• The student ambassadors’ role will be to represent their school in the recycling competition. They will make sure the other students are recycling properly, the bags are tidy and prepared correctly, etc.

In addition to the recycling competition, older students from all the schools are invited to participate in another competition where they must develop a business idea involving recycling. Students can choose to work alone or with a team to come up with new ideas involving recycling and creating a business.  The ideas will be evaluated and the best one(s) will be given funding in the form of materials/equipment needed to start the business up to 1,000 USD. Every two weeks, students will meet with ISSD representatives to discuss both the general recycling competition and the business idea competition. Winners of this competition will be brought to Yerevan on an excursion to talk with other business people and develop their winning idea.

Region

Tavush / Տավուշ

City / Village

March 1, 2021

Start Date

April 2021

End Date

June 2021

Gallery Images

Children learning about recycling.



Recycling bins at the primary school in the village of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur.

The Need

Recycling in border villages in the Tavush region is currently extremely limited; as a result, plastic and other trash often goes uncollected and liters these communities.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, a three month recycling contest will be launched to build excitement about the project in ten border schools in Tavush. The schoolchildren will learn about the benefits of recycling and start making it a regular practice in both their schools and households. A modest economic benefit will be realized through this project through the employment of a driver and trainers. In addition, students will have the opportunity and guidance to come up with their own recycling based businesses.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, communities will be more informed about modern waste and waste management, and, hopefully develop the practices as a normal part of their culture. The project will involve more than 1,800 children. Additionally, those that come up with winning business ideas will be given the opportunity to make those ideas a reality and greatly impact their future and the future of recycling in Armenia.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsors of this project will be listed on The Paros Foundation website, and in relevant press related to this important project.

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April 19, 2021

The second Recycling Contest launched today with nine schools in the Tavush Region. Schools will be collecting both paper and plastics and competing for a prize! The contest launch follows training and instruction on the value of recycling by the experts at the ISSD organization in Yerevan.

June 6, 2021

Today the contest winners were determined! The School in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur collected the most plastic per student and the School in the village of Aygepar collected the most paper per student. The school from Tavush won first place for their business idea involving recycling and will receive 1,000 USD to start their business. Both the schools from Aygehovit and Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur will also receive funding to start their business idea. Congratulations to all the schools that participated!

Scholarship for a Sustainable Future: Ani H. – Gohar G. – Anna & Gohar G.

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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 the following young girls from Gyumri, with a scholarship that would reduce their out of pocket costs towards their education:

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

2021

Ani H.
Ani was born on October 25, 2004 in Gyumri, Shirak region. Her family consists of four people including her mother and two siblings. Her mother does not work, and her father has passed away due to a car accident.

Ani is attending the local medical college and is making good progress. In her free time she likes to read, listen to music, and play the piano. She has been attending Nor Luyce since 2017. According to her mentor, due to the hardships in her life, Ani was in a difficult mental state and found it hard to express her opinion and was closed-off. Thanks to hard work, Ani is in a better mental place now. She is developing her skills and has become more active. She comes up with various initiatives and ideas on her own. She is well on her way to becoming an established and stable individual who knows her goals and how to achieve them.

Ani is going to become a nurse as soon as she graduates. Ani needs assistance in buying books, winter clothes and boots, and the necessary medical supplies for her practicum/internship.

Scholarship needed: $500

Gohar G.
Gohar Galoyan was born on December 27, 2000 in Gyumri, Shirak region. She has six people in her family including two sisters and a brother who are all married and live separately. Gohar lives with her father and mother.

Gohar is studying at the Shirak State University in the Department of English Language and Literature. In her free time she likes to paint, sing, and play the piano. Gohar has been attending Nor Luyce since 2014. According to her mentor, she initially had low self-esteem, which she only talked about with her mentor, but on the outside she acted as if she had very high self-esteem. As a result of personal one-on-one meetings, Gohar admitted that she is now showing her true self and, in her words, she has now got rid of her inner complexes and is living more freely and calmly. Gohar is now in Nor Luyce’s senior group of mentees. She has progressed very well during the Skill-Building phase and has been very active and enterprising during her time at Nor Luyce.

Gohar’s family lives in poor social conditions and needs assistance paying her tuition.

Scholarship needed: $770

Gohar & Anna G.
Gohar and Anna are sisters. Gohar was born in 2002 and Anna was born in 2005 in Hovuni Village. Their family consists of nine people including her father, mother, grandmother, three brothers, and a sister.

Gohar joined Nor Luyce Mentoring Center in 2016. She has been actively engaged in Nor Luyce activities up to now. Gohar is very punctual, modest, active and smart. She has also conducted volunteer work and presented a topic for other mentees in the organization.
Gohar’s sister Anna joined Nor Luyce in 2018. She is also very punctual like Gohar. Anna is a little shy compared to her sister, however, she has a good skill of self-advocacy. Both Anna and Gohar are going to become nurses and they have applied to the local Medical College. Since Gohar’s and Anna’s family is socially vulnerable, it is hard for them to cover the tuition fee.

Scholarship needed for both: $1,000

https://youtu.be/pJzOLagWVT0https://youtu.be/8ng_OvSpSc0https://youtu.be/JNM7TasP3j0

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

Ani H., Gohar G. and sisters Anna and Gohar g., who all currently live in Gyumri’s, will receive the financial support they need, in a form of a scholarship, covering the costs of their college tuition, uniform, books, stationaries, winter clothes 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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GOALS for #everygirl EBRD Community Initiative

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Description

We are back-to-school and Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer (GOALS) is getting ready to relaunch its girls soccer leagues. Because of the recent pandemic children have been mostly isolated at home and most after-school activities had been either canceled or moved online. Children have been isolated from each other and haven’t been able to partake in physical activities. We are very eager to bring sports back to regional Armenia and give the opportunity to our girls to get back on the field.
As you know health and hygiene education are more relevant than ever. GOALS has developed a new curriculum to ensure that our 80 teams across 8 regions of Armenia are practicing not only a healthy physical lifestyle, and keeping to hygiene norms, but also have a safe space to work on mental health.
The topic of health and hygiene is underrated in Armenia, especially among rural communities. We know that by incorporating learning about health and hygiene into our sports activities we will be able to fundamentally improve the lives of over 1000 girls. Our anticipated indirect impact is estimated at over 5000 community members across Armenia. This is your chance to contribute to the overall wellbeing of our girls and Armenia. Your contributions will go towards ensuring our communities have the tools necessary to organize safe and healthy sports activities, this includes, uniforms, sports equipment, medical kits, masks, thermometers, etc.
Every dollar you contribute to this project will be matched by our amazing partner.
Subject to its rules, funding raised through this campaign will be matched by the EBRD Community Initiative to a maximum of EUR 50,000. The EBRD Community Initiative is a program dedicated to support staff who are engaged with local organizations helping communities in the EBRD countries of operations.

Region

Throughout Armenia

City / Village

80 Communities

Start Date

September 2020

End Date

April 2021

UPDATE:

Dear Supporters and friends of GOALS,

The pain and sorrow that we face as a nation and as a people are inexplicable. For the past 44 days, we have endured unimaginable crimes against our nation. We are mourning the loss of thousands of heroes who fell during brave battles and the loss of our historical lands. We are left with an empty feeling of despair but in these difficult times, we must remember that this is not the end. We will continue to fight for what is right and for our nation. We will continue to stand strong and united.

The past month’s events disturbed our way of life and changed priorities. Now we have a country to rebuild and families to support. Over 30,000 children have been displaced by war, and they need our love and support in these difficult times. We have an obligation to protect their childhood, their right to family life, education, and leisure.

War and military conflict negatively impact on the mental wellbeing of both adults and children. We have evidenced this during the past month while working with children from Artsakh and Armenia. From day one of the war GOALS started organizing activities and games for children that had been displaced because of the war, trying to give them a sense of normalcy. GOALS is committed to the inclusion and expansion of all activities for children displaced by the war. We will continue to increase our efforts and services and evolve to accommodate current needs.

As Armenians and allies around the world, I call on you, supporters of GOALS and beyond, to help us make a change in the lives of these children. Now they need us more than ever. Without your donations, we will be unable to continue carrying out these activities, let alone scaling up our efforts. We will not be able to provide organized leisure activities, outdoor exercise, and a safe haven from all the pain and uncertainty for our children.

Remember that all donations will be matched by the EBRD Community Initiative to a maximum of EUR 50,000. The EBRD Community Initiative is a program dedicated to support staff who are engaged with local organizations helping communities in the EBRD countries of operations.

United, we are stronger.

Gallery Images

The Need

Throughout Armenia, there are limited opportunities for girls to play soccer. Despite having a strong desire to do so, girls cannot find the resources necessary or sporting groups that make experiencing the game a possibility. In addition, organized sport participation has several benefits to youth development such as leadership skills, teamwork skills, confidence building and improved overall physical health. The GOALS organization helps give young women the chance to play soccer through their GOALS Leagues, Media, Coach and Referee trainings, Camps and After-school Clubs while helping Armenian communities change the broader mindset limiting girls and women in many aspects of their lives and see that girls can and should be future leaders of their country!

Short Term Impact

GOALS will fill the gap of the lack of afterschool activities in the regions of Armenia and non-formal education and development opportunities. Along with providing immediate health and hygiene education through sports, we will also facilitate conversations around mental health and wellbeing in a post-COVID world.

Long Term Impact

In the long-term, public opinion regarding girls’ participation in soccer is changing, paving for the way for greater sports and leadership opportunities. We see a movement toward more inclusive soccer leagues that start at a young age and continue, also contributing to a competitive National Team for Armenia.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsors will be listed on The Paros Foundation website, on the GOALs website and in all relevant press of this important project.
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A New Normal At Debi Arach

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Description

The Paros Foundation opened the Debi Arach Children’s Center in April of 2015. Since then, it has grown to serving more than 200 children and young people on a weekly basis. It’s holistic approach to working intensively with children has positively altered the lives of these children. Because of the Covid 19 pandemic, a number of new safety measures and precautions must be implemented to ensure the safety of the children. These include provide all students and staff with disposable masks, changing the manner in which meals are served to utilizing disposable lunch boxes and cups, creating outdoor classrooms, implementing systematic temperature checks and creating hand sanitizing stations in each classroom. These unexpected expenses were not budgeted into the center’s annual budget, but are essential to keep the children and staff safe.

1. Masks. The center needs approximately 9,000 masks to last through the end of the year. This takes into account half the number of kids until school starts and full occupancy from the start of school until the end of the year. The mask cost for this period will be 9,000 x $.26 or total of $2,340. The center has already purchased 5,000 masks, and needs an additional 4,000 which will cost $1,040. (Total cost $1,040)

2. Food containers. Food for the children will now be served individually rather than family style. This will enable the children to take their meal and go sit someplace socially distanced. We will have space both inside and out for the children to eat. It is worth noting that many of the children really do count on this meal as their primary meal of the day. The need is for 9,000 to go containers. The cost is about 10 cents each so the quantity we need to cover meals through the end of the year is $900.

3. Hand washing. Disposable paper towels will be utilized throughout the center, and the center is also are required to install hand sanitizer stations outside of each classroom. These additions will cost $500 from August to the end of the year.

4. Temperature checks. Two infrared thermometers for temperature checks will be purchased and utilized. They cost about just under $50 each. Total cost is $100.

5. Four pop up tents will enable the center to conduct classes outside until the weather becomes too cold. The cost is $75 each. Total cost is $300.

Total cost for these unexpected items is $2,840.

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

August 2020

End Date

December 2022

Gallery Images

Debi Arach will reopen utilizing extra safety precautions.



Hot meals will be served in single use containers to promote safety.

The Need

Reopening the Debi Arach Children’s Center requires new safety precautions. These include provide all students and staff with disposable masks, changing the manner in which meals are served to utilizing disposable lunch boxes and cups, creating outdoor classrooms, implementing systematic temperature checks and creating hand sanitizing stations in each classroom.

Short Term Impact

Upholding the center and its operation to a new safety standard will help keep the children and staff safe during this uncertain time of Covid 19. Children will learn how to best protect themselves and their families and this will also contribute to helping combat the virus.

Long Term Impact

In the long term, these safety changes are important for the overall health of the children and their families at Debi Arach. The goal is to set a high standard with the hope that children will follow similar precautions at home to combat the virus.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsors of this important project will be listed on The Paros Foundation website, and on the donor wall at the Debi Arach Children’s Center, and in relevant press. Visits to the Debi Arach Children’s Center can be arranged for visitors during their family vacations to Armenia.

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Bridging the Digital Divide in Varanda

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Description

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, schools around the world have been closing and classes have been moving online. For Varanda, a small Armenian village in the Republic of Artsakh on the Azeri border, this is not an option. The village has limited internet access and lacks the appropriate technology to enable online learning. The village school has resorted to holding classes outside, exposed to the elements, to try to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Varanda School has only two dozen students. Its small size has made instructional modernization challenging. Providing schools like these with the proper technology will not only significantly lower the risk of the virus spreading today, but also connect them to the online learning infrastructure for the future.

Support of this project will help obtain 33 tablets for the Varanda School, enough for 20 students, 9 teachers and four extra, should any break. Training on how to properly use the tablets will be provided by the Ohanyan School in Yerevan, Armenia free of charge. The students and their teachers then will be able to connect with online classes at Ohanyan School and an expanding network of other schools, which will be conducting online classes this coming Fall.

Once enough funding is raised to equip the Varanda School with their tablets, this project will expand to include aid to five more projected border villages, which also lack the needed technology to support online learning. All six schools will eventually join remote classes courtesy of the Ohanyan School in Yerevan.

Region

Republic of Artsakh

City / Village

Varanda

Start Date

July 2020

End Date

May 2021

Gallery Images

The Varanda School has resorted to holding classes outside, to try to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

The Need

Technology is urgently needed to enable safe online education for students of the primary school in the village of Varanda in Artsakh. These pupils are currently forced to hold classes outside, in order to reduce the coronavirus risk.

Short Term Impact

The funds raised will be used to acquire 33 tablets to implement online education at the Varanda school.

Long Term Impact

The Varanda school will work in partnership with Ohanyan School in Yerevan, to access online classes remotely. This would help prevent the further spread of the virus and establish a safer learning environment. In addition, the Veranda school will be connected to an online learning infrastructure for the future.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors of this project will be listed on the The Paros Foundation website and in all appropriate press related to this important project.

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August 12, 2020

30 tablets and other related software and covers were purchased and delivered to the children of Varanda.

Nor Geghi Kindergarten Expansion

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Description

Nor Geghi is a village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia, located around 22 km north of the capital Yerevan, near the town of Nor Hachen. The village has a population of about 5,000 residents.

Beginning in 2015, several portions of the Nor Geghi kindergarten has been renovated including two restrooms, a large multipurpose room and an additional classroom and sleeping space for a second group of children.  Much of this work was completed through the efforts of The Paros Foundation with the support of the Nor Keghi Association of Detroit, MI and those families who descended from the historic village of Keghi.

The village once again has a need to expand the kindergarten’s capacity by adding an addition 30 children.  A large space on the second floor has been identified that will accommodate this new group of children. The scope of work will include the proper configuring of the space to accommodate a new classroom, playroom, kitchenette and bathroom.  In addition, the kindergarten needs to have its kitchen renovated and its entrance reconfigured.  This will work include the installation of new flooring, new electrical, new plumbing and the completion of the heating system.  The village administration is ready to assist with labor, furniture and other resources to help realize this important project.

Region

Kotayk

City / Village

Nor Geghi

Start Date

February 2020

End Date

July 2023

Gallery Images

The current entrance to the kindergarten at Nor Geghi is not practical nor inviting. It will be reconfigured to allow space for the children to change their shoes, hang their coats and receive parents.



Two large rooms will be reconfigured to accommodate a new group of children.



A complete renovation is needed to prepare the new space for the expanded kindergarten group.



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

The Need

The number of young children in the village of Nor Geghi has increased and the existing kindergarten must be expanded to accommodate a new group of children.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, 30 new children will be accepted into the kindergarten, allowing them to receive the benefits of early education. In addition, three new employees will be hired to work at the kindergarten.

Long Term Impact

In the longer term, hundreds of children will benefit from early education. Families will also benefit from having their children accepted into kindergarten.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsors of this important project will be listed on a plaque installed at the kindergarten, on The Paros Foundation website, and in relevant press related to this important project.

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February 2, 2021

Kitchen, bathrooms, classrooms and hallway were all renovated. The kids are excited to finally be able to use their new space!

July 4, 2023

The new roof at the Nor Geghi Kindergarten was completed thanks to the continued support of the Nor Keghi Association based in Michigan. The local community also made a significant financial contribution to this work to help ensure it was completed this year prior to the onset of winter.

October 16, 2024

Construction on the Nor Geghi Kindergarten Gym is underway! This renovation will allow more than 80 students to enjoy and utilize the space for many fun activities.

January 23, 2025

Construction on the gym has been completed. The Paros Team visited for a ribbon cutting where the kindergarteners performed a program. 

Achajur Kindergarten Expansion

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Description

Achajur is a large village with more than 4,500 residents located in Armenia’s Tavush Region. Achajur located very close to the Kayan border crossing with Azerbaijan. The village’s kindergarten currently functions with 100 children attending on the first floor of a two story building. Because of the large population in the village, an additional 100 children are on the waiting list to attend kindergarten, but cannot due to the poor condition of the upstairs of the existing kindergarten.
Once renovated, the municipality is prepared to expand the staff and accept at least two additional groups of children into the kindergarten.
The renovation of the kindergarten will include the installation of new windows, subflooring, flooring, electrical, plumbing, new bathrooms, heating system and new furniture.

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Achajur

Start Date

December 2019

End Date

October 2020

Gallery Images

Achajur’s kindergarten is located in one two-story wing of the primary school.



The first floor of the kindergarten in Achajur was renovated with village resources and is fully functional, but overcrowded.



The second floor of the Achajur kindergarten is in very poor condition.



The windows and heating system will be replaced as part of the kindergarten expansion in Achajur.



The second floor expansion will provide space for at least two more kindergarten groups of children.

The Need

Currently, more than 100 children are unable to receive the benefits of early education because of a lack of proper space to expand the existing kindergarten in the large village of Achajur.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, the second floor of the kindergarten will be completely renovation employing local labor and materials. Almost 100 children will begin receiving the benefits of early education and a minimum of five additional staff people will be hired at the kindergarten.

Long Term Impact

In the longer term, residents in the village of Achajur will benefit from the expansion of the current kindergarten through having this important asset available for their children.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsors of this important project will be listed on The Paros Foundation website, in relevant press related to this project and on a plaque installed in the renovated space of the kindergarten. Visits to Achajur can be arranged for all sponsors during their family trips to Armenia.
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December 26, 2019

As part of the local contribution, the community representative of Achajur had his work crew begin demolition today. The will prepare the space for our work crew to begin reconstruction immediately after the new year.

January 11, 2020

Materials were delivered to the kindergarten today. In addition, the new windows were delivered and the crew began installation.

March 19, 2020

The new subfloors have been installed and the crew is now working on blocking the new interior walls.

April 3, 2020

Our crew in Achajur is essentially sheltering in place living and working at the kindergarten during Covid-19. They are safe and work is continuing on the newly configured walls.

October 3, 2020

Work on the kindergarten is complete. However with the Covid-19 numbers being so high, the kindergarten is not operating.

January 27, 2021

Today our team visited the kindergarten at Achajur and reopened the kindergarten after the long break. They are operating at half capacity to be safe for now, but the children LOVE their newly renovated and expanded space!

GLAD Camp 2023

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Description

The purpose of the GLAD ( Girls’ Leadership and Development) camp is to address the often overlooked, but important needs of young girls and help them learn positive ways to cope with stereotypes, anxiety and culturally imposed limitations that have had a negative effect on their daily lives. Due to the success of the initial four (GLAD) Camps, the Margahovit Youth Center is fundraising to implement the camp again, taking lessons and tips from the previous camps, for a different group of participants from Margahovit.

The GLAD Camp will address several needs by teaching the participants negotiation skills, how to participate in community decision-making, work to overcome societal stereotypes, learn their civil rights, and receive basic self-defense and first-aid classes during the camp. This year’s camp will last five days for 20 rural girls in total and will be led by experts focusing on a range of aspects related to emotional and mental health and leaderships skills, including, but not limited to: creating a safe space for discussing these issues, healthy expression of emotion,  journaling,  strengths finding,  personality tests,  and leadership styles. The participants from last year’s GLAD Camp meet monthly for a follow-up club, in part to organize monthly seminars for other youth in the village to pass on what they learned during the camp. The participants from this version of GLAD will participate in these activities as well. The community of Margahovit will contribute significantly in planning, implementation, and follow-up work. Their goal is to help participants become more mentally and emotionally healthy, equip them with the tools they need to handle the difficulties life throws at them, and thus do good in school and become stronger leaders.

Region

Lori

City / Village

Margahovit

Start Date

July 2023

End Date

August 2023

Gallery Images

Arts & crafts at GLAD Camp.



Camp participants learn to have fun and better express themselves.



GLAD Camp participant preparing the telescope for star gazing.

The Need

Young girls living in villages are in needs of  learning positive ways to cope with stereotypes, anxiety and culturally imposed limitations that have had a negative effect on their daily lives. 

Short Term Impact

In the short term, 20 girls, from the village of Margahovit will participate in a five-day camp during which they collectively establish a safe space to discuss mental and emotional health and stress and learn healthy ways to deal with the variety of stressors in their lives. Following the camp, these girls will join the previous participants’ monthly club at which they discuss how they have been maintaining their mental and emotional health through the skills learned at the camp and support each other in their continuing communal safe space.

Long Term Impact

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

Sponsors Benefits

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

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Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur Kindergarten Expansion

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Description

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur (NKA) is a village with about 1,100 residents in the Berd area of Armenia’s Tavush Region. This community lives on the border with Azerbaijan under the risk of sniper fire and renewed armed conflict. The Paros Foundation completely renovated this building in 2014 as part of our Paros 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity campaign. At the time, the kindergarten had fewer than 20 children in attendance. Thanks to a doubling of the birthrate of children in the village starting in 2013, the number of children in the village continues to increase with each passing year, and now the kindergarten is too small to accommodate the 45 children currently in attendance. To rectify this good problem, the first floor kitchen will be expanded into the former mayor’s office space, creating a new kitchen, store room and dining hall. The old dining hall will be configured into two larger bathrooms and a laundry room. Finally, an additional bathroom will be added upstairs in the former storage room along with a nurses station and an additional office. Finally, the heating system will be improved to include the expanded kindergarten space. It is anticipated that this work will be completed in four months.

Region

Tavush

City / Village

Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur

Start Date

December 2019

End Date

April 2020

Gallery Images

The renovated kindergarden in the village of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is now overcrowded and needs to be expanded.



The existing storage room will be rebuilt to accommodate two offices and a
new bathroom.

The Need

A considerable amount of work completed by The Paros Foundation, improving conditions in the village of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur, has led to something of a boom in the birthrate of the village. The kindergarten is in need of an expansion to accommodate the additional children. Work to enlarge the dining hall, add three new bathrooms, a new laundry space, storage room, kitchen and administration offices will dramatically improve the space for the children.

Short Term Impact

The expansion of the kindergarten will immediately better facilitate the educational needs of the residents in this village. Materials will be purchased locally when possible, thus providing a boost to the local economy. Several local workers will be hired during the renovation process and thus provide these residents short-term employment.

Long Term Impact

In order for a community to thrive, its residents must have access to an adequate, clean and safe kindergarten. This kindergarten expansion will impact the lives of all of the residents of the village of Nerkin Karmir Aghpyur and their children.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors will be recognized with a plaque installed in the newly renovated kindergarten. In addition, donors will be recognized on all relevant press regarding this project and on The Paros Foundation Website. Visits to the village and kindergarten will be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.
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Updates: Images & Information

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Video Update

November 2, 2019

Work was begun outside today at the kindergarten. The crew is installing a drain pipe along the foundation to prevent water seepage into the building, then they will pour a concrete ribbon along the front of the building.

 November 19, 2020

Work began in the kitchen and dining area today!

 February 13, 2020

The kitchen and dining room are open for business!

 March 30, 2020

The work at the kindergarten is complete! Students will return and the kindergarten will begin operating again as soon as the stay at home order is lifted throughout Armenia.