WOMEN CONSTRUCTORS

A1+
[12:55 pm] 27 April, 2007

The programme "Constructors are Women" has kicked off on the initiative
of the "Association of Armenian Women " and "Habitat for Humanity
Armenia."

The Armenian Apostolic Church signed a historic partnership with
Habitat for Humanity in April 2006, aimed to combat poverty housing
in Armenia, and worldwide. The construction launched last year. Over
37 families of Gavar were provided with homes in the framework of
the program.

37 homes for families in need will be completed in Armenia in 2007. The
number symbolizes 36 worldwide Dioceses, plus the Holy See of Mother
Echmiadzin.

In Armenia, more than 40,000 families live in poverty housing
and have no permanent dwelling places. Over the past decade, a
devastating earthquake, conflict, the Soviet Union’s collapse, and
a newfound independence have led to economic crisis. Thousands still
live in metal "domiks", iron containers used for temporary earthquake
relief, which act like refrigerators in the winter; and boilers in the
summer. Habitat for Humanity Armenia has been working with families in
need since 2000, and provided homes for more than 1,400 people. The
Haroyan family of the Khor Virap village is the first selected among
the 37. Sahak, 43, and his wife Piruza, 36, are vegetable farmers,
currently residing in a neighbor’s basement with their three children,
aged 18, 16, and 14. The family will move to a new house in August,
2007. Economic strife forced the family to the basement for seven
years, as they have been unable to raise enough funds to complete their
own home. Piruza suffers rheumatism in her legs due to the humidity.

" As soon as we learned about Habitat we turned to them. They arrived
and studied our living conditions. The construction began in 2007. It
was a great surprise for the whole family," Sahak tells.

Members of Habitat for Humanity Armenia, volunteers of "Global Village"
International organization, presidents of international and local
organizations and local sponsors participated in the construction
works.

Habitat for Humanity Armenia has been working with families in need
since 2000, and provided homes for more than 1,400 people.