Spring Brought Cheers to all Dalarik School Children

624 Dalarik school children moved to their new school on March 3

March 12, 2008 Dalarik, Armavir District - On March 3, 2008, 624 school children of Dalarik moved to their fully refurbished school. The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) was there on the first day of school to share with the children and staff the joy of walking into such a modern building. The Dalarik School is the ninth completed building reconstruction project of COAF’s Participatory Integrated Rural Development Program. Since late 2005, COAF has completed the reconstruction and refurnishing of two pre-schools, four schools, a health clinic, a sports complex, and a community center. These projects, along with the educational, social, health and economic development projects realized by COAF have turned the lives of 12,115 residents of Dalarik, Karakert, Lernagog and Shenik, of whom 3,018 are children. Hayser Kirakosyan, former director of the Dalarik School and currently a history teacher is elated by the transformation of his dilapidated old school. In Mr. Kirakosyan’s words “This building is a real gift to all of us, but especially to the children of Dalarik. For too long, our children were deprived of the most basic conditions for learning in a healthy school environment. For none of their fault, this generation inherited a deserted village and poor conditions all around. This school is like a miracle for all of us. I am absolutely convinced that our children will strive for high standards and they will attain greater results.”

The Dalarik School capital reconstruction project began in November 2006 and was completed by Akhuryan Coopshin Ltd., a Gyumri-based company with extensive experience in reconstruction. COAF and the contractor worked closely with the local community in all phases of the planning and implementation of the project. About 20 percent of the workforce in this project came from the local community. The revitalized Dalarik School has a usable area of 3,300 sq. m., with 22 classrooms, 12 lavatories, 2 science laboratories, 5 administrative offices, a fully equipped computer room, a workshop, a nurse’s station, a music room, a library, an arts center, a gymnasium, a teachers’ conference room, and a performance hall. All rooms are fully refurnished.

The building is provided with power, water and heat supply systems. The external and internal walls and foundation of the school building have been reinforced. Access to the school and other specifications meet required norms for the disabled. Thanks to this completed project, the children of Dalarik will grow in a safe environment, guided by teachers recently retrained in instruction methodology including child centered classrooms, cooperative learning, thematic teaching, lesson planning and other related topics. These trainings and other educational projects are continuous and intend to contribute to rural children’s multifunctional development and growth. Additionally, COAF’s upcoming projects include the continued expansion of infrastructure, economic development, health and social programs in all six cluster communities.

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