COAF Holds Roundtable in Armavir to Review Work in Progress

Governor and Other Representatives of Armavir District and Mayors of Model Cluster Villages Reviewed Progress of the Integrated Rural Development Program

Armavir District, Republic of Armenia, August 25, 2006 — Today, Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) held a roundtable in Armavir to review progress made to date in the implementation of Model Cluster activities. Launched in February 2006, COAF’s Integrated Rural Development Program uses an innovative approach that places emphasis on the critical needs of each community, especially children and youth. In a participatory process, the residents of the Model Cluster — Argina, Dalarik, Karakert, Lernagog, Myasnikyan and Shenik — have identified the most critical problems in their respective villages, ranking development priorities in an order that benefits the highest number of beneficiaries and has the highest impact on the revitalization of the community. Ongoing development activities include economic, infrastructure, as well as health, social, and educational programs.

Participating in the event were the Mayors of the Model Cluster villages, headed by Governor Albert Heroyan, and accompanied by representatives of each Municipality Council (Avagani), and representatives of the elected Coordinating Committee of each village. Presentations on behalf of COAF were made by COAF Founder and Chairman Dr. Garo Armen, Resident Country Director Dr. Arpie Balian, Program Manager Ovsanna Yeghoyan for infrastructure and economic development and Program Manager Naira Gharakhanyan for health, social and educational projects.

In his opening remarks, Governor Heroyan stressed the importance of project ownership and responsibility. Each mayor then presented the activities accomplished in each respective village since the launch of the Model Cluster program early this year. The presentation of the accomplishments of COAF’s Model Village pilot program in Karakert also included community activities that aim to secure the sustainability of completed projects.

Speaking on behalf of COAF, Dr. Garo Armen emphasized the importance of communication, both among cluster villages and within each respective community. Dr. Arpie Balian elaborated on the three pillars that make COAF’s Integrated Rural Development program unique in its design: participation, productivity, and preservation, together leading to prosperity. COAF’s program managers presented a comprehensive report on this year’s activities, especially highlighting activities carried out for the cluster as a whole. The round table concluded with an open discussion, during which participants had the opportunity to exchange ideas and propose innovative solutions to common problems.

COAF is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that seeks to reverse the impoverished conditions affecting significant numbers of Armenia’s children by revitalizing Armenia’s villages and implementing projects that provide immediate and sustainable benefits to children and youth.

CONTACTS: Sunny Uberoi, (212) 994-8206; or e-mail info@coafkids.org