Description
The Nork Orphanage houses approximately 80 infants and toddlers, from newborns to six years of age. The facility is located in the Nork area of Yerevan approximately 15 minutes from the city center. The orphanage is in need of an appropriate play area for the children that can provide them with a safe environment in which they can play and interact with one another, with staff, and with perspective adoptive parents.
A 25 x 25 meter (approximately 7,000 square feet) outdoor space is prime for the addition of a small wading pool, water feature, flower garden and seating area. This area would give the children need summer relief during the hot weather and create a very nice space for the children, the staff and perspective adoptive parents to spend time.
The scope of work in this space includes constructing a water feature (sprinkling type), a small wading pool (about 140 square feet) with filtration system, the addition of benches, flowerbeds, walkways, outdoor lighting and landscape.
The Need
Children need a safe and secure environment in which to play and interact with one another. The Nork Orphanage is generally in good repair, but lacks an outdoor space that can provide a safe play space and relief from the hot summers.
Short Term Impact
The short-term impact of this project will be the employment of a construction team to build the outdoor space and the immediate benefit for the local economy.
Long Term Impact
The long-term benefit of creating this outdoor play space will be realized through the increased happiness of the children, staff and perspective adoptive parents, who will have an environmentally friendly, safe and beautiful space to enjoy during the non-winter months. Additional benefits will be realized through the cultivation of a vegetable garden, which will provide the children fresh vegetables and will augment the orphanage’s food budget.
Sponsors Benefits
Your sponsorship of the Nork Orphanage Play Area will be recognized with a commemorative plaque installed at the Play Area, 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 and tour the Orphanage when you are in Armenia.
Our Donors (101)
- Mr. & Mrs. Harry & Rose Mahakian $1,000 Sep 10, 2011
- Mr. & Mrs. Edmond & Sari Vartanian $100 Sep 10, 2011
- Mr. & Mrs. Lee & Juanita Armen $50 Sep 3, 2011
- Mr. & Mrs. James & Dorothy Stolken $200 Sep 2, 2011
- Mr. Vasken Laurancian $500 Jul 9, 2011
Updates: Images & Information
The Paros Foundation is sad to have learned of the untimely passing of Mr. Vasken Laurancian, and we extend our condolences to his family and friends. Vasken’s family has decided to support the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of Ari’s Playground in his memory. His funeral will be held on Friday, July 26th at 12 noon at St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys, California.
Ari’s Playground is a complete!
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The Side by Side mentoring program from the Ghoghanj Children’s Center in Yerevan spent the day today working to prepare the flower beds for plantings. Thank you!
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Work began today on the grading and work is continuing on stuccoing the block walls.
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Today we broke ground on Ari’s Playground with a group of volunteers from the College Prep School in Oakland, California!
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