Healthy Teeth 2020

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Description

Dental hygiene is commonly overlooked in poverty-stricken regions around the world, including Armenia, for the obvious fact that the population has more pressing concerns such as securing everyday necessities like food, shelter and clothing. In the light of all these hardships, brushing one’s teeth for two minutes, twice a day seems trivial and indeed insignificant.

The Healthy Teeth Project aims to make oral hygiene and health attainable for children living in poverty stricken areas throughout Armenia. Through this project The Paros Foundation, along with supporters and volunteers, hopes to raise awareness about the importance of promoting good dental hygiene in Armenian children. Furthermore, through this effort we hope to prevent more extensive dental problems, which would cause more serious health issues in the future.

The Healthy Teeth project was launched in 2013. Since then over 15,000 items, including toothbrushes, toothpastes, mouthwash and dental floss, have been distributed throughout Armenia and Artsakh.

Joe Chelebian, an Armenian-American from Los Angeles and SERVICE Armenia 2019 participant, will be spearheading this effort for the second year. Joe will launch a charity drive to raise funds and dental hygiene products (including toothpaste, toothbrushes and floss) from his community at St. James Armenian Church in Los Angeles. He hopes to return to Armenia this summer, to help distribute the items throughout Armenia.

Region

Throughout Armenia

City / Village

Throughout Armenia

Start Date

January 2020

End Date

December 2020

Gallery Images

Joe Chelebian



Children receive several toothbrushes and toothpaste as well as instruction on how to properly brush and care for their teeth.

The Need

Due to more pressing concerns, dental care and hygiene is commonly overlooked in poverty-stricken regions in Armenia. This can cause a lifetime of dental problems and oral disease. Children in these areas are in need of dental supplies in order to be able to practice good oral hygiene and prevent serious dental issues in the future.

Short Term Impact

Children will receive basic dental hygiene instruction in a form they can easily understand, along with the proper instruments to care for their teeth.

Long Term Impact

Children will have the ability to care for their teeth on a regular basis with the dental supplies they will receive, hence decrease the chance of tooth decay and serious oral issues in their future.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation to sponsor the Healthy Teeth Project will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website and in all appropriate press related to this important project.

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Kharpert Home for Special Children Excursion 19

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Description

The Kharpert Home for Special Children is an orphanage located in the village of Nor Kharpert serving more than 250 children with varying degrees of developmental disabilities. The orphanage is a state run facility that receives governmental support to provide these vulnerable children with basic care and education.

Excursions to amusement parks and/or other appropriate venues provide these children with both valuable community experience and needed recreation. Children with disabilities in Armenia are generally kept sheltered from society. These children do not attend school, but rather attend classes at the orphanage. It is important for both these children and society that they experience community life.

For each donation of $250, approximately 20 children and an appropriate number of care provides will be able to go on an excursion to Yerevan at Victory Park, or another appropriate venue for a morning or afternoon of activities including transportation, admission and snacks. Please consider supporting multiple excursions for these children.

Region

Yerevan

City / Village

Nor Kharpert

Start Date

July 2021

End Date

July 2021

The Need

Several homes in these frontier communities were damaged to varying degrees and need immediate repair. Villagers need to know that the diaspora stands with them in this time of need.

Short Term Impact

Approximately 1,200 children live in Armenia’s 15 orphanages. While these facilities provide basic care for these children, their limited funding does not permit these children regular visits and participate in various social and cultural activities. A child with a disability has very few opportunities to visit the city and experience life outside of the grounds of the Kharpert orphanage.

Long Term Impact

This project has considerable long-term benefits for both the children and for society. Society’s attitudes towards people with disabilities will slowly begin to change as people witness these children regularly and realize that society can indeed accommodate them as part of their community.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation towards the Kharpert Home for Special Children’s Excursion project will be recognized as a sponsor on the Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation stands ready to help you arrange a visit to the Kharpert Home for Special Children when you are in Armenia.

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July 16, 2021SERVICE Armenia 2021 participants accompanied residents from the Kharpert Home for Special Children to a fun day at Victory Park.

Kharpert Home for Special Children Excursion 18

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Description

The Kharpert Home for Special Children is an orphanage located in the village of Nor Kharpert serving more than 250 children with varying degrees of developmental disabilities. The orphanage is a state run facility that receives governmental support to provide these vulnerable children with basic care and education.

Excursions to amusement parks and/or other appropriate venues provide these children with both valuable community experience and needed recreation. Children with disabilities in Armenia are generally kept sheltered from society. These children do not attend school, but rather attend classes at the orphanage. It is important for both these children and society that they experience community life.

For each donation of $250, approximately 20 children and an appropriate number of care provides will be able to go on an excursion to Yerevan at Victory Park, or another appropriate venue for a morning or afternoon of activities including transportation, admission and snacks. Please consider supporting multiple excursions for these children.

Region

Yerevan

City / Village

Nor Kharpert

Start Date

September 2020

End Date

September 2020

The Need

Approximately 1,200 children live in Armenia’s 15 orphanages. While these facilities provide basic care for these children, their limited funding does not permit these children regular visits and participate in various social and cultural activities. A child with a disability has very few opportunities to visit the city and experience life outside of the grounds of the Kharpert orphanage.

Short Term Impact

The short-term impact of this project will be the employment of a bus driver, money being spent in Armenia’s local economy and most important the emotional and social benefits for 20 children with developmental disabilities.

Long Term Impact

This project has considerable long-term benefits for both the children and for society. Society’s attitudes towards people with disabilities will slowly begin to change as people witness these children regularly and realize that society can indeed accommodate them as part of their community.

Sponsors Benefits

Your donation towards the Kharpert Home for Special Children’s Excursion project will be recognized as a sponsor on the Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation stands ready to help you arrange a visit to the Kharpert Home for Special Children when you are in Armenia.

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September 14, 2020

Residents of the Kharpert Home for Special Children went on an excursion to a Lake Sevan camp. They had a fun week of swimming and lakeside activities.

Purchase a Home 21 – Tovamasyan Family

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Description

Following the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, tens of thousands of people were left homeless in the City of Gyumri. Many of these families took refuge in the overseas shipping containers (domiks) that were shipped into Armenia loaded with humanitarian relief supplies, or in condemned buildings. An entire generation of children has grown up in deplorable conditions, often times with no running water and little or no heat. The Armenian government has provided most of the families that lost their homes in the Earthquake with new housing units.

As people moved out of those makeshift housing units, others moved in. The 2,500 or so families that remain are Gyumri’s desolate families, who are not in line to receive a government provided apartment. Many of these families are comprised of single mothers, multiple children and/or the disabled.

This project will identify suitable needy families who can be moved into a new apartment and can demonstrate that they can afford their monthly utilities, etc. This is a sustainable model in that families that have been moved into permanent housing in the past have had a high degree of success maintaining their families and their new homes.

Once the move is complete, the make shift housing unit will be destroyed to prevent its future occupancy.

Region

Shirak

City / Village

Gyumri

Start Date

November 2019

End Date

December 2019

Gallery Images

A domik “neighborhood”.



Conditions inside domiks are unbearable.

The Need

2,500 families live in the city of Gyumri in temporary, make shift housing. These units are neither safe nor sanitary. These families and their children need a normal apartment in which to live.

Short Term Impact

Immediately a family will be identified and an appropriate apartment purchased for them. The make shift housing unit which they currently occupy will be destroyed.

Long Term Impact

In addition to this family and their improved mental state changing through the fact that they will be living in a normal housing situation, the city of Gyumri itself will improve with the removal of these make shift housing units.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors will be recognized on all relevant press regarding this project and on The Paros Foundation website.
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November 5, 2019

Today the Tovamasyan Family signed the purchase contract and gifting agreement and became home owners!

 November 15, 2019

Moving Day! Paros Foundation staff joined the Shirak Center staff to arrange and help with the Tovamasyan family move into their new apartment. Immediately following the move, Shirak Center staff began the demolition of the Tovamasyan families old domik.

Artsvabert Water Pipe & Reservoir Renovation

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Description

Արծվաբերդ (Artsvabert) is a town in the Տավուշ (Tavush) province of Armenia, which shares a 34km long border with Azerbaijan. Artsvaberd is located in a particularly remote and isolated part of Tavush.  Artsvabert has a population of almost 2,600 people living in 500 homes.  Most of these homes only receive water once every three days for one hour.  The lack of enough clean water has resulted in the absence of basic household conveniences, thus making life in Artsvabert difficult for its population.  The implementation of the Artsvabert Water Pipe & Reservoir Renovation program will provide daily water to the majority of the households in Artsvabert.

Region

Tavush Տավուշ

City / Village

Artsvabert Արծվաբերդ

Start Date

Immediately

End Date

Two months

Gallery Images

The reservoir in the town of Artsvaberd cannot provide the town with an appropriate amount of water because it is leaking and needs to be renovated.



Water meters in the town of Artsvaberd need to be installed to provide villagers with daily water.



Water leakage has created a crises for the residents in the town of Artsvaberd.



Artsvaberd’s water reservoir needs to be renovated.



Artsvaberd relies on this old reservoir for water for 350 households in the village.



Artsvaberd’s reservior is located in a secure area above the town.

The Need

The 2,600 residents in Artsvabert struggle on a daily basis because of a lack of water. The implementation of this project will ease this suffering for the town’s 500 households. $12,750 is needed to completely renovate the reservoir and $6,750 is needed to install water meters in the 500 households in Artsvabert.

Short Term Impact

In the short term, about 2,600 people in Artsvabert will benefit from receiving daily water into their homes. In addition, the local economy will receive a bit of a boost with local materials and labor begin secured to complete the planned work.

Long Term Impact

In the long run, the addition of a steady flow of water to the town’s households will contribute to overall better health and welfare for the town and help its continued development.

Sponsors Benefits

Sponsors of this project will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website, any press related to this important project, and on a plaque in the town of Artsvaberd. A visit can be arranged to Artsvabert for sponsors visiting Armenia.
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June 29, 2019

Work on the reservoir in the town of Artsvabert began this week. The concrete panels covering the reservoir were removed and the water pipers were diverted until the relining can be completed.

 August 1, 2019

Repairs to the reservoir have been completed and the results are fabulous! The reservoir now has an abundance of water.

 September 12, 2019

Our team determined that an additional, unforeseen repair should be made to the main pumping station for the village. Our specialist from Yerevan installed an automatic float for the reservoir and automated the filling system to ensure a steady flow of water for the village.

•  

Oknooshoon Project Phase 2

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Description

Nairi Krafian, a young Armenian-American volunteer has established a project called Oknooshoon in Armenia, which is literally a hybrid of the words help (oknoutyoun) and dog (shoun) in Armenian. As a pre-veterinary student who is passionate about both her homeland and animals, her goal is to improve the public perception, and in turn the quality of life, for rescued dogs in Armenia. Nairi has partnered with The Paros Foundation in order to introduce dog therapy in Yerevan, help provide education to improve the public perception of stray and rescued dogs and minimize their poor treatment.

Oknooshoon aims to improve the human-canine bond in Armenia, to benefit both populations simultaneously. This project will implement animal therapy for children in need with rescue dogs trained as therapy animals. Phase one of Oknooshoon’s Animal Therapy Program was a pilot in which the therapy dogs were trained as adults, lived at the shelter, and were handled by shelter personnel. Phase two is a second pilot in which rescue dogs will be trained as puppies, raised and handled by Oknooshoon employees in a home. This change will create a more sustainable and effective program, with the dogs being trained at a young age, living in clean homes, and receiving individualized attention. Phase two will also include research to determine the effectiveness of this therapy method for children, education to improve animal welfare, and efforts to strengthen Oknooshoon’s team and business model.

$24,000 is needed in order to fund this project. The costs include handler training education, dog training supplies, transportation, veterinary care, administrative supplies, employee compensation, and organizational development expenses. In addition, Nairi will be attending the Watson Institute Program in Colorado in order to improve and expand Oknooshoon’s capacity.

Region

Yerevan Երևան

City / Village

Yerevan Երևան

Start Date

January 2019

End Date

December 2020

Gallery Images

Oknooshoon participates in a variety of community events.



Oknooshoon providing therapy to children at the Kharpert Home for Special Children.



Oknooshoon works on the proven model that animal therapy has dramatic benefits for humans.

The Need

Armenia lacks animal welfare advocacy, evident in their enormous stray dog population and their poor handling of the situation. The pet industry has grown, but there is still a strong stigma against rescue and mix-breed dogs, and the human-canine bond is quite week. Armenia also lacks accessible dog therapy programs with minimum standards, certification processes, program assessment, and impact measurement. Oknooshoon plans to improve the general misconception around rescue dogs and fill the gap in healthcare by introducing animal-assisted therapy to youth in need through phase two of this project.

Short Term Impact

The dogs trained by Oknooshoon will lead a much happier and healthier life than if they stayed in the shelters. Simultaneously, the children receiving animal-assisted therapy will receive psychosocial benefits.

Long Term Impact

By publicizing the effects of dog therapy and providing animal welfare education, Oknooshoon will help improve the stigma around stray and shelter dogs. This will present opportunities to expand dog therapy all throughout Armenia and increase dog adoptions from shelters.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors will be recognized on The Paros Foundation website and on all relevant press regarding this project. In addition, sponsors will also be included in an Oknooshoon e-newsletter in 2019.
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March 12, 2020

Oknooshoon dog handler and “Dobby” visit residents at Warm Hearth, who greatly benefit from their interactions.

Medical Center in Kurtan

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Description

Kurtan is an isolated village with 1,825 residents in the Stepanavan area of Armenia’s Lori Region. The facility is housed rent free in a building, which also houses the village administration.

The Medical Center consists of four rooms (only two of which are currently able to be used) totaling approximately 770 square feet. The Center needs a new roof over its portion of the building, new windows and doors, a bathroom and a heating system.

Any partial funds received for this project will be first used to replace the damaged roof. Then funds will be allocated to the remainder of the renovation of the space. The Paros Foundation team will work with the village administration to ensure that they support the project in as many ways as possible including donated materials, free labor and/or support services.

It is anticipated that the repairs to the medical center will take approximately 3 months depending on weather conditions.

Region

Lori

City / Village

Kurtan

Start Date

May 2014

End Date

June 2014

Gallery Images

The medical center is in need of new floors,



The center is also in need of new doors and windows.



Horrible condition of the restroom at the Kurtan Medical Center.



Unsanitary conditions prevail throughout the medical center.

The Need

Quality medical care is difficult to provide in Armenia’s rural areas without proper facilities. Residents have no choice but to depend on these regional medical centers for their family’s health care needs. The roof, doors, windows, bathroom and heating system are items that are fundamentally needed to allow this center to operate and serve this isolated community effectively.

Short Term Impact

The renovation of the Medical Center will immediately better facilitate the health needs of the residents of Kurtan. Materials will be purchased locally when possible, thus providing a boost to the local economy. Two to three local workers will be hired during the renovation process and thus provide these residents short-term employment.

Long Term Impact

Citizens must have access to adequate, clean medical facilities especially for children. This renovation will help meet the needs of approximately 3,000 rural patients annually.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors will be recognized with a plaque installed in the newly renovated areas. In addition, donors will be recognized on all relevant press regarding this project and on the Paros 100 website. Visits to the Clinic will be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.
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May 11, 2014

Supplies have been purchased and renovations at the Kurtan Medical Center have begun.

 June 13, 2014

Renovation work at the center is now complete. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held soon.

 June 30, 2014

The opening and ribbon cutting ceremony was a great success. Sponsors of the project from San Francisco were present as well as the Mayor of Kurtan Village and representatives from the Lori Regional Government.

 July 4, 2017

Doctors at the Kurtan Medical Center have begun seeing patients in their newly renovated clinic.

Orphaned Children’s Day Excursion 20

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Description

More than 1,200 children live in Armenia’s 15 orphanages. These facilities provide for the children’s basic needs, but their limited budgets do not allow these children to participate in visits to popular historical sites, an amusement park or concert, or attend a cultural event.

Armenia’s orphan children should have the opportunity to experience popular cultural events, exhibits, and excursions in Armenia, or simply have a fun afternoon or activity that they normally would not be able to experience. Many different activities and excursions can be organized for these children. The extent of the activity or trip is directly related to the sponsorship amount. For sponsorships amounts between $250 -$750 approximately 20 children and an appropriate number of chaperons will be able participate in a memorable activity. Please consider supporting multiple excursions for these children.

The Paros Foundation staff and volunteers will organize and oversee the excursion/activity. Opportunities to sponsor excursions for orphanages serving both disabled and non-disabled children exist. Whenever possible, our staff will work with the destination for the excursion to secure group pricing and/or discounts.

Region

Throughout Armenia

City / Village

Throughout Armenia

Start Date

July 2021

End Date

July 2021

The Need

Armenia’s orphanages generally are able to provide for their children’s basic care, but limited funding does not allow these children to visit museums, historical sites and popular cultural events. Allowing a child a few hours of recreation and/or entertainment as a regular child greatly enhances his/her outlook on life and reduces the emotional complexes of being an orphan.

Short Term Impact

The short-term impact of this project will be the immediate employment of a bus driver, money being spent in Armenia’s local economy and most important the education and social benefits for 20 orphan children.

Long Term Impact

This project has considerable long-term emotion, education and psychological benefits for the children, as they will be able to participate in activities that are above and beyond basic existence in an orphanage.

Sponsors Benefits

Your support of this project will be recognized at the relevant Orphanage, your name listed as a sponsor on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation stands ready to help you arrange a visit to the care facility when you are in Armenia.

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July 3, 2018

Participants and volunteers of the SERVICE Armenia 2021 summer group accompanied children from the Yerevan Children’s Home during a fun afternoon excursion at the Children’s Railway & Playground in Yerevan.

 

Purchase a Home 20 – Sahakyan Family

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Description

Following the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, tens of thousands of people were left homeless in the City of Gyumri. Many of these families took refuge in the overseas shipping containers (domiks) that were shipped into Armenia loaded with humanitarian relief supplies, or in condemned buildings. An entire generation of children has grown up in deplorable conditions, often times with no running water and little or no heat. The Armenian government has provided most of the families that lost their homes in the Earthquake with new housing units.

As people moved out of those makeshift housing units, others moved in. The 2,500 or so families that remain are Gyumri’s desolate families, who are not in line to receive a government provided apartment. Many of these families are comprised of single mothers, multiple children and/or the disabled.

This project will identify suitable needy families who can be moved into a new apartment and can demonstrate that they can afford their monthly utilities, etc. This is a sustainable model in that families that have been moved into permanent housing in the past have had a high degree of success maintaining their families and their new homes.

The Sahakyan family lives in an isolated domik located about 12 feet from the railroad tracks.  Karen, his wife Anna and their two daughters have lived in this domik their entire married lives. Anna does not let her girls play outside for fear that they will get too close to the railroad tracks and get hit by a passing train.  Karen works at the Gyumri Central Market to support his family.

Once the move is complete, the make shift housing unit will be destroyed to prevent its future occupancy.

Region

Shirak Շիրակ

City / Village

Gyumri Գյումրի

Start Date

May 2019

End Date

July 2019

Gallery Images

The Sahakyan Family standing in front of their domik, which will be destroyed when they receive their new home.



Karen possesses home improvement skills and has done what he can to improve conditions inside of their domik.



Anna and her two children dream of sleeping through the night without the sound of a train waking them.

The Need

2,500 families live in the city of Gyumri in temporary, make shift housing. These units are neither safe nor sanitary. These families and their children need a normal apartment in which to live.

Short Term Impact

Immediately a family will be identified and an appropriate apartment purchased for them. The make shift housing unit which they currently occupy will be destroyed.

Long Term Impact

In addition to this family and their improved mental state changing through the fact that they will be living in a normal housing situation, the city of Gyumri itself will improve with the removal of these make shift housing units.

Sponsors Benefits

All sponsors will be recognized on all relevant press regarding this project and on The Paros Foundation website.
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May 30, 2020

The Paros team along with our friend and partner, Vahan Tumasyan from the Shirak Center NGO visited the Sahakyan Family to share great news about them being chosen to receive a new home!

 August 27, 2019

The Sahakyan Family was at the notary office today to sign their apartment’s purchase contract! They are now officially homeowners!

 September 11, 2019

Karen Sahakyan worked alongside our team to find a new home. The home is in need of some renovations, and since Karen has done construction work in the past, he has agreed to help remodel the house. Renovation work has begun.

 September 18, 2019

The Sahakyan Family moved into their new apartment today. We are so happy for their new beginning. With the help of the Shirak Center NGO crew, their old”domik” will be destroyed.

Orphaned Children’s Day Excursion 18

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Description

More than 1,200 children live in Armenia’s 15 orphanages. These facilities provide for the children’s basic needs, but their limited budgets do not allow these children to participate in visits to popular historical sites, amusement parks, concerts, or attend cultural events.

Armenia’s orphan children should have the opportunity to experience popular cultural events, exhibits, and excursions. Many different activities and excursions can be organized for these children. The extent of the activity or trip is directly related to the sponsorship amount. For sponsorship amounts between $250 -$750 approximately 20 children and an appropriate number of chaperons will be able participate in a memorable activity. Please consider supporting multiple excursions for these children.

The Paros Foundation staff and volunteers will organize and oversee the excursion/activity. Opportunities to sponsor excursions for orphanages serving both disabled and non-disabled children exist. Whenever possible, our staff will work with the destination for the excursion to secure group pricing and/or discounts.

Region

Yerevan

City / Village

Yerevan

Start Date

July 2019

End Date

July 2019

The Need

Armenia’s orphanages generally are able to provide for their children’s basic care, but limited funding does not allow these children to visit museums, historical sites and popular cultural events. Allowing a child a few hours of recreation and/or entertainment as a regular child greatly enhances his/her outlook on life and reduces the emotional complexes of being an orphan.

Short Term Impact

The short-term impact of this project will be the immediate employment of a bus driver, money being spent in Armenia’s local economy and most importantly the emotional and social benefits for 20 orphan children.

Long Term Impact

This project has considerable long-term emotional, educational and psychological benefits for the children, as they will be able to participate in activities that are above and beyond basic existence in an orphanage.

Sponsors Benefits

Your support of this project will be recognized at the relevant Orphanage, your name listed as a sponsor on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation stands ready to help you arrange a visit to the care facility when you are in Armenia.

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July 3, 2019

Participants and volunteers of the SERVICE Armenia 2019 group accompanied children from the Yerevan Children’s Home during a fun afternoon excursion at the Children’s Railway & Playground in Yerevan.