PRESS RELEASE
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) – Yerevan Office
53-55 Pavstos Buzand Street, 0010
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Inessa Grigoryan
Tel: (+374 10) 522076; 562068
Fax: (+374 10) 522076
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Children of Armenia Fund – New York Office
162 Fifth Avenue, Suite 900,
New York, NY 10010, USA
Contact: Tracy Mazza
Tel: 212 – 994 – 8234
Fax: 212 – 994 – 8299
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Karakert and Shenik Celebrate the Completion of their
Community Center and School & Sports Complex Respectively
Completion of these projects will benefit over 5,500 village residents
Armavir District, Republic of Armenia – On December 14, 2007 the
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF), United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
joined the people of Karakert and Shenik to celebrate the completion of
two very important reconstruction projects. The Karakert Community
Center and Shenik School & Sports Complex were completely renovated
under a COAF, UNDP and USAID Global Development Alliance implemented by
UNDP. Program components not covered under this Alliance ¾ including
the Shenik Sports Complex, furniture and equipment, and development of
both Karakert and Shenik grounds ¾ were funded and implemented by
COAF.
The inaugural ceremonies of the Karakert Community Center and Shenik
School & Sports Complex were attended by a number of dignitaries
representing the Regional Government of Armavir, the diplomatic
community, and more than a dozen international organizations that have
partnered with COAF in various projects. The residents of Karakert and
Shenik came in large numbers to witness these revitalization
celebrations in their respective communities.
Speaking at the events were Mr. Alexandr Avanesov, UNDP Deputy Resident
Representative and Ms. Cynthia Pruett, USAID Deputy Mission Director.
In his remarks, Mr. Avanesov spoke of the rewards realized with this
UNDP, COAF and USAID partnership, emphasizing the significance of such
partnerships for the development of Armenia. "One of the biggest
rewards of my job is to see the joy of Armenian citizens as they breathe
new life into their communities," he concluded. In turn, Ms. Pruett
spoke of the enhanced impact of this development project, which
mobilized the ideas, efforts and resources of COAF, USAID, and UNDP, a
partnership between the public sector and a private voluntary
organization (PVO).
The last two speakers were Mr. Ashot Ghahramanyan, Governor of Armavir
and Dr. Garo Armen, COAF Founder and Chairman. Mr. Ghahramanyan praised
the activities of COAF and congratulated the villagers of Karakert and
Shenik on the completion of two important projects. In his words, these
will provide the local communities with new and vital opportunities for
developing cultural potential in Armavir and creating ground for raising
education standards in rural schools.
Similarly, Dr. Armen spoke about how this partnership was initiated.
"When we first spoke of COAF’s initiative to revitalize Armenian
villages, it was UNDP and USAID that joined us without a moment of
hesitation. We are grateful to them for this act of trust and we are
happy today to witness the tremendous achievements that our partnership
has made in the last three years." Between addresses, the vocal
renditions by the young and talented Arman Lazryan, lyric tenor, brought
much enthusiasm into the performance hall.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Ms. Ovsanna Yeghoyan, Manager of
Infrastructure and Economic Development stated "This was a very
interesting project whereby all interested parties, including our
partners and the local community, came together and worked hand in hand
to realize the reconstruction of the Shenik School and Sports Complex,
which was just a dream a year ago." Similarly, Mr. Vrej Jijyan, UNDP
Community Development Project Coordinator noted, "We highly value this
cooperative framework as it has proved really instrumental in addressing
the development needs of the people of Shenik and Karakert." "I hope
this new building will be a catalyst to offer the children of Shenik new
opportunities for growth and excellence in whatever they undertake in
their careers," continued Hovhannes Mesropyan, COAF Construction
Projects Coordinator.
# # #
Karakert Community Center:
The capital reconstruction of the Karakert Community Center began in
February 2006 as part of the Model Village project implemented under the
auspices of COAF, UNDP, USAID Global Development Alliance. The
completed Community Center covers an area of 1,600 sq. m. effectively
allotted to include the community library, Internet club, gymnasium for
dance and martial arts, leisure room for chess, table tennis and
billiard, management offices and performance hall with a 320 seating
capacity. The Center is fully refurnished and equipped to offer the
community a full range of services and leisure activities.
The reconstruction of the Karakert Community Center was completed by
Gyughtntshinmontazh Ltd.
Shenik School and Sports Complex:
The capital reconstruction of the Shenik School began in May 2007 as the
amended part of the Model Village project implemented under the auspices
of COAF, UNDP, USAID Global Development Alliance. Reconstruction costs
not covered under this alliance ¾ including the Shenik Sports Complex,
furniture and equipment, and development of both Karakert and Shenik
grounds ¾ were funded and implemented by COAF within the framework of
its Model Cluster Participatory Integrated Rural Development Program in
Armenia.
The revitalized Shenik School & Sports Complex covers an area of 1,800
sq. m. and has 11 heated classrooms, 10 lavatories for children and
teachers, 2 laboratories, a computer room, an equipped workshop, a
health room and nurse’s station, a music room, a library, a teachers’
conference room and a performance hall. The Sports Complex offers 2
gyms, ensured with cloak-rooms and coaches’ rooms, 10 showers and
lavatories with hot water, and 2 health rooms.
The Shenik School will open its doors to 175 students and staff. The
children of Shenik 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. The Sports Complex will benefit the Shenik
community and the neighboring communities of the Model Cluster.
The reconstruction of the Shenik School and Sports Complex was
implemented by Akhuryan Coopshin Ltd., a Gyumri-based company with
extensive experience in reconstruction. COAF, UNDP and the contractor
have worked closely with the local community in all phases of the
planning and implementation of the project. About 45 percent of the
workforce in this project came from the local community.