A Year of Remarkable Achievements

The Children of Armenia Fund closed 2007 with unprecedented results

February 15, 2008 — The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) closed 2007 with an unprecedented record of achievements and results.  Projects completed in 2007 constitute infrastructure, 5 renovation / construction projects, an internal water network restoration project, establishment of Internet in 2 villages, and expansion of municipal services in all 6 villages and servicing a population of 17, 285; economic development, business planning and access to micro-financing in all 6 villages, creating a new milk marketing cooperative and micro enterprises in handicrafts, direct technical assistance to farmers, and placement of village residents in new jobs in agriculture; health care, promoting preventive care, developing the skills and capacities of local medical staff, raising public awareness of healthcare issues through community health education, and expert training and workshops on specialized topics; education projects that extend beyond the refurbishing of schools to include teacher training, supply of books and teaching aids and equipment, and after-school activities; and social development, which is fundamentally focused on community development, with emphasis on reaching out to the youth and the disadvantaged.

In 2007, COAF invested in excess of $2,100,000 in infrastructure projects, including the renovation and refurnishing of the Lernagog School, Shenik School and Sports Complex, the Karakert Community Center and Public Park, and the Dalarik School.  These projects provided a safe and healthy environment for over 4,600 rural children.  COAF used an innovative approach to designing an optimum solution for the large school complexes of Lernagog and Shenik.  The five-building school complex of Lernagog was redesigned to house the school population of 250, and also accommodate a kindergarten and the village health clinic, all with separate entrances and communications.  While the school section was completed in August 2007, the kindergarten and health clinic are expected to be completed in May 2008.  Similarly, the Shenik School was redesigned to also serve as a community sports facility.  Also, COAF redesigned the Karakert Cultural House to a community center, which now offers a full range of services and activities, including adult education classes in computers and English, movies and cultural events, a dance club, an Internet club, instruction in martial arts, and games.  For leisure activities in the warmer season, COAF transformed the 1,625 sq m area adjoining the Community Center and the Health Clinic to a  Public Park with play areas for toddlers and children, benches and tables for adults to socialize, plus an outdoor café developed by a local entrepreneur. In addition, the construction of water reservoir for the village of Yervandashat was completed with a capacity of 150 cu. m. that benefits the local population of 825.  The Model Cluster waste management project was expanded beyond the six villages to include Hatsik with a population of 535.  

In economic development, the most striking results were in Karakert, where the price of real property has increased by over 11 percent.  COAF’s flagship village project has changed the life of the Karakert residents, where people are visibly living differently than before.  Aside from the ubiquitous renovation initiatives to private homes, 12 new structures or major renovations were completed in 2007.  On the broader scale, over 350 cluster residents were placed in new jobs in agriculture with large farming enterprises in the area.  Additionally, 35 farmers joined hands to form the first milk marketing cooperative in a chain of other cooperatives planned for 2008.  The cooperative milk collection station enables the collection of 1,600 liters of milk daily.  The year also was productive for a group of women who were trained in handicraft skills and launched their pilot micro businesses earning a total of $3,500 revenue in just a few short months.  With COAF’s facilitation of access to financing, the micro lending program benefited an additional 38 entrepreneurs from the Model Cluster with micro-loans totaling $30,000.  The next phase of COAF’s financing program is in medium business loans and is expected to benefit hundreds of small and medium size farmers.

The health care program was continued on an expanded scale throughout the Model Cluster.  In 2007, COAF championed the complete medical examinations of 2,622 preschool and school children, eye examination of 4,593 children and adults, plus dental examinations and other specialized services, such as OB/GYN and ultrasound.  As part of COAF’s medical education program, 56 health professionals were trained in medical manipulations, use and interpretation of EKG, and the algorithm of emergency interventions; and 667 educators and community volunteers were trained in first aid, healthy lifestyle, management of chronic diseases, prenatal care, child health care, early detection and prevention of infectious and common diseases.  COAF’s psycho-social center entered its second year of operation and assisted 510 children with special needs in individual and group therapies.  Additionally, the center’s work included a wide range of assistance and social services, and awareness training.

In 2007, COAF’s education program included training of educators in modern teaching methodology and topics such as child centered classrooms, cooperative learning, thematic teaching and lesson planning.  After school activities were launched in a pilot format in the Lernagog School with the creation of the young writers’ club.  Also, throughout the Model Cluster, COAF offered continuing education opportunities to the adult members of each community.  Classes were held in computer software, in system administration, and in English as a second language.

As part of its social development program, COAF created 6 new youth clubs, 2 in animal husbandry in Karakert and Shenik, and 4 botany clubs in Argina, Karakert, Lernagog and Shenik.  Continuing social projects included the distribution of 14,729 apricot trees to the neediest families, provision of warm clothes and holiday baskets to 368 underprivileged families and complete school supplies to 19 children of socially vulnerable families.

Encouraged by its remarkable achievements and positive feedback from partners, local government, and the population of the Model Cluster, the Children of Armenia Fund steps into 2008 with renewed enthusiasm.  The restoration and renovation of all remaining health posts, together with the major reconstruction of the Myasnikyan Polyclinic will complete the modernization of all health units in the Model Cluster.  Additionally, 2008 projects include the restoration of roads, construction/renovation of water and gas supply systems, increased economic and agricultural activities, establishment of community development funds for the preservation and maintenance of renovated buildings, and the continued expansion of health, social and educational programs in all six cluster communities.

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