UNITED ARMENIAN FUND
1101 N. Pacific Avenue #301
Glendale, CA 91202
Tel: 818-241-8900
Fax: 818-241-6900
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2 November 2006
United Armenian Fund Donates $4.5 Million
To All 28 Armenian Schools in Lebanon
Glendale, CA – The United Armenian Fund, through a generous grant
from The Lincy Foundation, is donating a total of $4.5 million to
all 28 Armenian schools throughout Lebanon.
This contribution is prompted by the economic crisis of the past few
years, which was aggravated by the devastating attack on Lebanon last
Summer. Thousands of needy Armenian families could no longer afford the
tuition for the Armenian schools their children attended. Consequently,
most of these schools were in no position to pay the salaries of
their teachers and staff.
The UAF funds contributed to these schools are designated for three
specific purposes:
1) $3.2 million to pay full or partial tuition for 5,092 needy Armenian
students, which constitutes close to 75% of the 7,029 students enrolled
in all 28 schools during the 2006-07 academic year;
2) $757,000 to cover the salaries owed by most of the schools to 536
teachers and staff for the past academic year;
3) A total of $513,000 for the general operating expenses of these
schools.
Harut Sassounian, the President of the United Armenian Fund, is
currently in Lebanon to visit all 28 Armenian schools, meet with their
principals and educational councils, and deliver the earmarked sums
to each school.
"The UAF’s contribution will be allocated to all Armenian schools in
Lebanon, without exception," Sassounian said.
The schools receiving financial assistance are:
Nine Prelacy schools: Sophia Hagopian College; Haratch C. Gulbenkian
School; Apkarian School; Aksor Kassarjian School; Yeghishe Manoukian
College; Roupinian – Sahag Mesrobian School; Souren Khanamirian
College; Noubarian – Khrimian School; and Forty Martyrs School.
Seven Evangelical schools: Central High School; Gertmenian School;
Anjar Secondary School; Torosian School; Armenian Evangelical College;
Shamlian Tatigian School; and Trad School.
Six Catholic schools: Harboyan School; Mekhitarian School; Sisters
School of Anjar; Mesrobian College; St. Agnes School; and Hripsimiantz
College.
Three AGBU schools: Garmirian School; Tarouhy – Hovagimian School;
and Nazarian School.
Armenian Educational & Cultural Society (Hamazkayin) school: M &
H Arslanian College (Jemaran).
Tekeyan Cultural Association school: Vahan Tekeyan School.
Armenian Educational Benevolent Union school: Sahaguian –
L. Meguerditchian College.
"This unprecedented gift of $4.5 million should alleviate a large
part of the heavy financial burden of the schools shouldered by the
struggling Armenian community of Lebanon. Armenians worldwide should
lend a helping hand to this most vital community which has many other
needs. Few things are as important for the future of the Armenian
people as the education of the next generation. By supporting Armenian
schools, we are investing not just in the survival, but the revival
of Armenian culture," Sassounian said.
Since its inception in 1989, the UAF has sent $447 million of
humanitarian assistance to Armenia on board 140 airlifts and 1,359
sea containers.
The UAF is the collective effort of the Armenian Assembly of America,
Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Missionary Association
of America, Armenian Relief Society, Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America, Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America and
The Lincy Foundation.
For more information, contact the UAF office at 1101 North Pacific
Avenue, Suite 301, Glendale, CA 91202 or call (818) 241-8900.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress