Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Building 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Hasmik Grigoryan
Tel: +(3741) 56 01 06 ext. 105
Fax: +(3741) 52 15 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund begins project-site visits in Artsakh and Armenia
Yerevan,
Within the framework of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Board of Trustees'
annual meeting in Yerevan, a delegation led by Executive Director Ara
Vardanyan began a string of project-site visits and unveilings of newly
completed projects in Artsakh and Armenia. The delegation comprises close to
45 trustees, representatives of affiliates worldwide, colleagues, and
benefactors.
The events kicked off on May 20, as the delegation traveled to Artsakh via
the Vardenis-Martakert Highway, the construction of which will be completed
in autumn. The first event was the official opening of the newly built
community center of Kochoghot (Martakert Region), a village near the
Vardenis-Martakert Highway. The construction and furnishing of the
multifunctional community center were made possible by the financial support
of the fund's French affiliate, with additional support from the government
of Artsakh. The Kochoghot community center houses the village mayor's
office, a medical clinic, a library, a game room, and a large hall equipped
with a kitchen. In recent years, French-Armenian support has enabled the
fund to build similar community centers in 12 villages throughout Artsakh,
helping vastly improve the daily lives of close to 7,700 residents.
On May 21, the delegation held opening ceremonies for two more community
centers, in the villages of Kyuratagh (Hadrut Region) and Sargsashen
(Martuni Region). The construction of both community centers - which, as
with all such structures built by the fund, feature a full complement of
modern amenities - was likewise sponsored by French-Armenians, with
additional assistance from the government of Artsakh. Given its ongoing and
instrumental role in the realization of major development projects across
Artsakh, the French-Armenian community is held in high regard by the
grateful citizens of the republic.
Today, on May 22, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund delegation visited
Stepanakert's School No. 9, which is undergoing a large-scale renovation
sponsored by the fund's US Western Region affiliate, with a generous
donation from benefactor Gerald Turpanjian. With 395 students, the school is
unique in that it complements primary and secondary education with inclusive
education for special-needs children, as well as specialized classes for
hearing-impaired children. The School No. 9 is the latest of several
Stepanakert educational institutions that have been rebuilt and modernized
by the fund.
Subsequently the delegation will visit the newly built Stepanakert Oncology
Center, which opened its doors in April. The state-of-the-art medical center
was made possible through the sponsorship of French-Armenian benefactor
Richard Ohanessian, with additional support from the government of Artsakh.
Later today, the delegation will attend the opening ceremony of the second
wing of the Shushi Cultural and Youth Center comprising a large auditorium.
The extensive renovation of the building was sponsored by the government of
Artsakh and supervised by the fund. The newly renovated second wing, which
comprises a hall with a seating capacity of 368, will now become the
permanent home of the Mkrtich Khandamiryan State Theater. The building
designed for theatrical performances and other events, dressing rooms,
administrative offices, and a storage room. The main building of the center,
which was reconstructed in 2012 with the financial support of the Hayastan
Foundation Toronto affiliate, is home to a youth choir; classrooms for
painting, ballet, instrumental folk music, and embroidery; and a puppet
theater named after Canadian-Armenian filmmaker Atom Egoyan.
Following the opening ceremony, the delegation will visit the Harutyunyan
family, in the village of Krasni (Askeran Region). The Harutyunyans are one
of the beneficiary families of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund's latest
housing program, through which private homes are built and donated to
low-income Artsakh families with five or more children. Since the launch of
the program three years ago, 16 families have been provided with brand-new
homes, and currently 15 more homes are under construction. All of these
houses are distinguished by the fact that they come fully furnished and
feature all necessary home appliances.