Renovations Revitalize Armenian Villages
The Integrated Community Development project is improving the quality of life in rural Armenia through an integrated approach to development and a novel model of partnership between the public and private sectors.
As part of the “Model Village” project jointly supported by USAID, UNDP and COAF, two facilities were fully renovated in Karakert and Shenik, benefiting over 5,500 residents.
On December 14, 2007, USAID, the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) joined the people of Armenia’s Karakert and Shenik villages to celebrate the reopening of two important community structures: the Karakert Community Center and the Shenik School and Sports Complex. Both facilities were fully renovated as part of the joint USAID, COAF and UNDP Global Development Alliance “Model Village” project, benefiting over 5,500 village residents from Armavir marz.
The inaugural ceremonies of the Karakert Community Center and Shenik School & Sports Complex were attended by dignitaries representing the regional government of Armavir, the diplomatic community and international organizations.
 |
| The children of Shenik waved flags, exclaiming “Hayastan” (Armenia) to welcome guests and community members to their renovated school building |
USAID/Armenia Deputy Mission Director Cynthia Pruett, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Alexander Avanesov, Governor of Armavir marz Ashot Ghahramanyan, and COAF Founder and Chairman Garo Armen delivered opening remarks, congratulating the residents on the new facilities that will provide better schooling conditions and more opportunities for the communities’ cultural development.
“Since 2004, the Integrated Community Development project has been improving the quality of life through an integrated approach to development and a novel model of partnership between the public and private sectors,” said Pruett. A key aspect of its impact, she noted, was that the project mobilized the ideas, efforts and resources of USAID, COAF and UNDP and involved the local municipality and communities in its design and implementation.
The Karakert Community Center now offers residents a community library, an internet club, a gymnasium for dance and martial arts, a leisure room for chess, table tennis and billiards, management offices and a performance hall with a 320-seat capacity.
The Shenik School, in turn, provides improved conditions for its 175 students and the teaching staff, including two laboratories, a computer room, an equipped crafts workshop, a medical care room, music room, library, teachers’ conference room and performance hall. In addition, the Sports Complex now features two gyms with dressing rooms and coach-rooms, ten showers and lavatories with hot water supply, as well as two medical care rooms.
Speaking at the event, Governor Ghahramanyan acknowledged the significant assistance provided by the project partners, noting that the renovated facilities now provide the local communities with new opportunities for developing cultural programs in Armavir and raising educational standards in its rural schools. As a token of appreciation for COAF’s initiative, the Governor was declared COAF founder Garo Armen an honorary citizen of Armavir marz.
Back to Top ^ |
