OSI AND VIVACELL-MTS ASSIST ORRAN
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19:15:32 – 02/09/2009
On August 31, the Open Society Institute (OSI) and Orran Benevolent
Organization signed a cooperative agreement calling for the
creation of an after school center which will serve the needs
of 50 vagrant children in the city of Vanadzor. The organization
will offer the children a daily hot meal, assistance with homework,
and extracurricular activities including a rich cultural program as
well as vocational training. It will also provide medical, dental
and psychological services. The agreement, in effect for one year,
calls for a 75% financial contribution from OSI and requires the
remaining 25% to be funded by Orran, which has garnered the support
of VivaCell-MTS.
The center will be modeled after the Orran center in Yerevan which
was founded in the year 2000. Since then, it has helped thousands of
children and hundreds of families. "We will not tolerate the abuse
of our children. We will not allow our children to beg for the bread
that is on their table. We will not stand by and watch our children
grow up deprived, uneducated and unhealthy. Our mission is clear: to
offer the needy children of Armenia a place of refuge, an education
and an opportunity to display their unique talents to the world and
live the happy life they deserve. We are blessed and grateful to
have partners like OSI and VivaCell-MTS who through their financial
contributions make sure that we are able to accomplish our goals"
stated Armine K. Hovannisian , founder of Orran.
The city of Vanandzor has been in economic dismay since the 1988
earthquake. The high rate of unemployment, the lack of investments,
and the large migration out of the city has left many in a difficult
financial position. The recent financial crisis has worsened the
situation. Many families are headed by single mothers who struggle
to provide their children with the bare necessities of a decent life.
The Open Society Institute’s grant to Orran comes from a special
Emergency Fund pledged by George Soros to help counteract the effects
of the global recession in the former Soviet republics, Eastern Europe
and the Balkans. The Fund was created to assist the many families who
face great difficulties in this recent economic crisis. As director of
the Open Society institute Larisa Minasyan explains, "The Fund is an
exceptional opportunity to meet urgent needs of people and communities
most hit by the economic downturn. The Fund aims to assist diverse
needs ranging from health and education to nutrition and culture".
VivaCell-MTS which is known for its continuous support to Orran has
agreed to provide the 25% of the annual budget. Mr. Ralph Yirikian,
General Manager of VivaCell-MTS states, "VivaCell-MTS as a Responsible
Corporate Citizen gladly joins hands with entities that are striving
to better integrate people in need within the society by providing
them with means to have a decent life".
The Vanadzor center is scheduled to open by the end of the month in
leased premises until the construction of its building, financed
by Mr. and Mrs. Krikor and Anna Krikorian of the United Kingdom,
is completed.