ArmenPress
Aug 17 2004
CHARGE D’AFFAIRS ANTHONY GODFREY OPENS THE COUNTRY’S SECOND
“COMMUNITY SELF-HELP FUND” PROJECT IN LORY MARZ
VANADZOR, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS: On August 17, U.S. Charge
d’Affairs a.i. to Armenia Anthony Godfrey inaugurated the
newly-completed Vanadzor Playground in Lori Marz. This project is the
second in a series of the U.S. Government’s “Community Self-Help
Fund” initiatives in Armenia. A grant from the U.S. Government and
contributions from the local community funded the construction and
equipment of the playground in Vanadzor’s Taron 4 district, which was
built after the 1988 earthquake. It is an area of new, multi-storied
buildings lacking facilities for children to play. Children used to
play on the dangerous ruins of semi-destroyed buildings. As a result
of the project, children in the neighborhood have a safe, fenced play
area, including swings, merry-go-rounds, soccer field, and a
basketball court as well as seats for spectators.
The formal ceremony awarding the first round of grants of the U.S.
Embassy’s new Community Self-Help Fund program took place March 15.
The Embassy awarded grants to ten communities in eight marzes. The
Community Self-Help Fund assists local communities to implement
small, grassroots projects that address their most urgent needs. The
community of Vanadzor’s Taron 4 district made significant
contributions of time and resources in order to ensure the success of
the project. Save the Children is implementing the project. The U.S.
Embassy hopes to continue this program in the future and is currently
reviewing applications for the second round of the program. For
further information about the program, please contact Save the
Children (tel. 56-23-35, or on the web at ).