Description
The village of Vahan is located in an isolated border area north of Lake Sevan, and south of Armenia’s Tavush border communities. More than 1,000 people call Vahan their home. According to Armenianow.com residents of Armenia’s border village Vahan (meaning shield) say proudly that their village is the northeast gate, the main border-guard of Armenia. They came here from Artsvashen. This was an Armenian village within the administrative territory of Azerbaijan during the Soviet period; and Azeri villages surrounded it. Armenians left Artsvashen during the Armenian-Azeri conflict years.
The medical center was renovated in the last few years. The village kindergarten, designed for 40 children, which had been closed since 1992, was reopened in November of 2011. Residents maintain livestock and cultivate potatoes to earn a living.
The school, which has 150 students attending, is located 500 meters from the Azeri border. It has been partially renovated by several different organizations. Currently, three classrooms are in need of renovation. Sponsorship of this project will help renovate all three classrooms, including new flooring, paint, doors, windows, electrical work and refurbished furniture. There will also be minor cosmetic renovations done to the entryway of the school.
Gallery Images
The Need
Many classrooms throughout Armenia’s schools remain in deplorable conditions. Children should not have to try and learn in these conditions. Because of substandard doors and windows, many classrooms become unusable in the winter months due to the cold. While the Armenian Government and others regularly engage in a campaign to remodel schools, they simply cannot meet the huge need.
Short Term Impact
The short-term impact will be the employment of at least three people to renovate the classrooms for two months and the benefit to the local economy through the order for needed supplies and classroom furniture. All materials will be purchased in Armenia, thus providing a boost to the local economy. In addition, local villagers will be hired to complete the construction work, thus providing them with temporary jobs. Three classrooms will be fully renovated.
Long Term Impact
The long-term impact will benefit at least 10 years of students that will be able to take classes using the updated and modern classroom. This will have a huge psychological impact on both the students and teachers. When schools are in better conditions they will encourage families to stay hence, deter emigration from the village.
Sponsors Benefits
Sponsorship of the Vahan Village School Repair will be recognized on a plaque at the School, on The Paros Foundation website and in appropriate press related to this important project. The Paros Foundation will happily arrange a visit to the Vahan Village School when you are in Armenia.
Our Donors (31)
- Dr. John A. Boghossian $50 Mar 29, 2017
- Mr. & Mrs. Vartan & Talin Gharibian $200 Mar 12, 2017
- Anonymous $200 Mar 2, 2017
- Armenian Students Cultural Association, University of Michigan $2,500 Feb 9, 2017
- Mr. Richard Lee Weil, Jr. $250 Jan 23, 2017
- The Phase Foundation $2,000 Jan 17, 2017
- Katherine Halebian $300 Jan 12, 2017
- Mr. & Mrs. Raffi & Nanor Karagozian $50 Jan 11, 2017
- Ms. Hilion Khatchadourian $200 Jan 7, 2017
- Mr. & Mrs. Pakrad and Katrin Markarian $250 Jan 7, 2017
- David Tateosian $500 Jan 6, 2017
- Mr. & Mrs. Fernando & Neva Gallegos $50 Jan 4, 2017
Updates: Images & Information
Members of The Paros Foundation team joined Tavush Governor Hayk Chobanyan, Berd Consolidated Communities head Harutyun Manucharyan, representatives of the Prime Minister’s office, and local village representatives to visit the Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur, Aygepar and Chinari communities to assess the damage and to strategize and coordinate the next steps forward.
The kindergarten in the village of Aygepar was hit by Azeri artillery this morning. We had finished the complete renovation of this kindergarten in 2018 and will assess the damage and rebuild again as soon as possible! We build, they destroy!
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A video shows the protests in Baku calling on a resumption of war with Armenia.