624 DALARIK SCHOOL CHILDREN MOVE TO THEIR NEW SCHOOL

ARMENPRESS
March 12, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 12, ARMENPRESS: Some 624 school children of Dalarik
village moved on March 3 to their fully refurbished school. The
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) was there on the first day of school
to share with the children and staff the joy of walking into such a
modern building.

The Dalarik School is the ninth completed building reconstruction
project of COAF’s Participatory Integrated Rural Development
Program. Since late 2005, COAF has completed the reconstruction and
refurnishing of two pre-schools, four schools, a health clinic, a
sports complex, and a community center. These projects, along with
the educational, social, health and economic development projects
realized by COAF have turned the lives of 12,115 residents of Dalarik,
Karakert, Lernagog and Shenik, of whom 3,018 are children.

Hayser Kirakosyan, former director of the Dalarik School and currently
a history teacher is elated by the transformation of his dilapidated
old school. In Mr. Kirakosyan’s words "This building is a real gift
to all of us, but especially to the children of Dalarik. For too
long, our children were deprived of the most basic conditions for
learning in a healthy school environment. For none of their fault,
this generation inherited a deserted village and poor conditions all
around. This school is like a miracle for all of us. I am absolutely
convinced that our children will strive for high standards and they
will attain greater results."

The Dalarik School capital reconstruction project began in November
2006 and was completed by Akhuryan Coopshin Ltd., a Gyumri-based
company with extensive experience in reconstruction. COAF and the
contractor worked closely with the local community in all phases of
the planning and implementation of the project.

About 20 percent of the workforce in this project came from the
local community.

The revitalized Dalarik School has a usable area of 3,300 sq. m., with
22 classrooms, 12 lavatories, 2 science laboratories, 5 administrative
offices, a fully equipped computer room, a workshop, a nurse’s
station, a music room, a library, an arts center, a gymnasium,
a teachers’ conference room, and a performance hall. All rooms are
fully refurnished.

The building is provided with power, water and heat supply systems. The
external and internal walls and foundation of the school building
have been reinforced. Access to the school and other specifications
meet required norms for the disabled.

Thanks to this completed project, the children of Dalarik 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. These trainings and other educational projects are
continuous and intend to contribute to rural children’s multifunctional
development and growth.

Additionally, COAF’s upcoming projects include the continued expansion
of infrastructure, economic development, health and social programs
in all six cluster communities.