The New Community Center of Karakert

How did community life change with the opening of the Community Center?

March 4, 2008, Karakert, Armavir District — On January 7, 2008 the Community Center of Karakert opened its doors to the local residents as well as to the neighboring communities of the Model Cluster.  The complete renovation of the building was made possible through COAF’s partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  Upon completion of the renovation, COAF fully equipped and refurnished the Center, while working with the local municipality in developing the program and services needed by the community and necessary for a sustainable operation.  This remote village of Karakert, once famous for its national champions in martial arts, now has the opportunity to regain its renown in sports and cultural activities. 

Perj Khachatryan, the current director of the Community Center, states that “Until recently, the desire to have a place for events and social gatherings was but a dream.  Today, we are all thrilled to have this building where we can get together for games, events or simply to socialize.  Our children are so happy to come here for dance lessons or to train in martial arts.  They are lucky to have this opportunity.  I must confess that we are fortunate that our village was first in COAF’s rural development project.  We have put our lives back together in such a short time and can now enjoy an active community life.”

Indeed, the village center is testimony to the active life in Karakert.  The renovated Community Center stands in the heart of the village center, connected to the village Health Clinic via a completely new public park built by COAF in partnership with a local entrepreneur and with the generous donation by Shen–Concern CJSC.  The Public Park and Café cover an area of 1,665 sq. m., landscaped to include a pond, benches and tables, and rustic lighting that accentuates the rural setting.  The Community Center covers a usable area of 1,600 sq. m. allotted to the community library, Internet/computer room, gymnasium, performance hall/movie theater with a capacity of 320, an exhibition hall, and two games rooms.  The Center also serves as home for the local NGO, Women Supporting Community, where the members come together for meetings or other non-profit ventures.   

In the words of Dr. Aida Muradyan, President of the local NGO, Women Supporting Community, “Our organization finally has a home, where we can come together and implement our plan of activities for 2008.  Our members are very enthusiastic with this room, which the management of the Community Center has allocated to us.  We plan to cover part of the expenses through the proceeds of our fundraising activities.”

A visitor to the Center will immediately notice the posted community announcements about classes in Internet search, computer software, and English language.  Other announcements include titles of movies to be shown in the theater, practice hours of the dance group and schedule of classes in martial arts.

Romik Manukyan, a fifteen-year-old avid player of draughts and chess at the Community Center expressed his enthusiasm.  “Hours spent here fly by so quickly that we often forget that we have to go home.”  Another young man, Armen Nersisyan, enjoys playing table tennis and says “It’s such an exciting experience to be playing games here, in our own village, without being driven to get to the city to find a place where we can play.  Now, we are eager to come to the Community Center in the afternoon as soon as we are done with school and our daily routine.  And more … we are thrilled that we can also organize contests among competing pairs and celebrate the best players amongst us.”

Arthur Adamyan, 18 years of age, will soon be called for military service, but he is looking forward to his return in two years.  He says “Most of all, I will miss the time spent in this Community Center with my friends.  This center is the perfect place for socializing, which we all did not have for such a long time.”

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