Revitalizing People’s Hope and Belief in Rural Armenia

Six Communities of Armavir District Benefit from Unprecedented Development Program by the Children of Armenia Fund

Armavir District, Republic of Armenia, August 15, 2007 — Following the launch of its Model Cluster Program, a unique and comprehensive development effort, the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) continues to reduce poverty and bring back hope to rural Armenia by rehabilitating the infrastructure and improving the economy through a multitude of health, social and educational projects.  The success of COAF’s completed projects in Karakert, its Model Village, has inspired the residents of neighboring Argina, Dalarik, Lernagog, Myasnikyan and Shenik to plan their future with optimism and zeal.

Just as the Karakert people did a couple of years ago, the Model Cluster communities have enjoyed upgraded and qualified healthcare, improved municipal services, and new business opportunities.  The students of Lernagog, Dalarik and Shenik will soon relocate in their respective renovated and refurnished schools.  Over 1,100 children will grow in a safe environment, guided by teachers retrained in instruction methodology including child centered classrooms, cooperative learning, thematic teaching, lesson planning, and other related topics.

First in line is the Grand Opening of the Lernagog School, to be held on August 27th.  The superior quality of this reconstruction project speaks for COAF’s standards of excellence.  The contractor, Kanaka CJSC, is a Vanadzor-based construction firm highly qualified in school reconstruction and renowned for product quality and work ethics.  The Lernagog School will accommodate 250 students and staff in heated classrooms, laboratories, library, music room, performance hall, and gymnasium.  During a visit to the school reconstruction site last month, the principal benefactors of this school, Daniel and Henry Sahakians expressed their excitement in these words — “We had not imagined the dilapidated building we saw a year ago would transform to this beautiful edifice.  We surely put our money in the right place.”

Next in line is the completion of the Karakert Community Center and Public Park, plus the Dalarik and Shenik schools.

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