Khashtarak school project

[Ashot]

A new vision to come to life in Khashtarak school project

 

The Armenia Fund’s Germany Affiliate “Armenien-Fonds Hayastan-Fonds” and the Association of Armenian Entrepreneurs in Germany “Armenischer Unternehmer Verein” have undertaken the complete renovation of the school in Khashtarak village (in the Tavush region) as part of the Armenia Fund (Hayastan All Armenian Fund) Rural Development Program.

 

The German community had made this commitment prior to the Armenia Fund 2007 Telethon, during which the Armenia Fund Executive Director Vahe Aghabegians had announced the generous German contribution.

 

The Armenia Fund has taken on the challenge of bringing comprehensive development to Armenia’s border villages. The rehabilitation of infrastructure is the cornerstone of the initiative, coupled with targeted economic development assistance in order to help border village residents achieve a sustainable self-reliant life. The renovation of schools as vital elements of community infrastructure is a top priority for the Fund.

 

“Schools, together with all other aspects of infrastructure must be upgraded so that we can reduce or remove the gap between city and village,” says Gilbert Momdjian, President of the Armenia Fund affiliate of Germany. “By undertaking the Khashtarak School renovation project, the Fund has set out to provide top-notch educational facilities in rural areas.”

 

The Fund’s Germany Affiliate and the Association of Entrepreneurs in Germany “Armenischer Unternehmer Verein” will see full scale remodeling of the Soviet-era building which is the largest school in the cluster and might serve as the magnet for all school-age children in the area. The result will be the transformation of a backward, crumbling structure into a modern educational center that will come complete with all the required facilities for conducting productive educational and extracurricular activities.

 

Gilbert Momdjian who has headed the Germany affiliate of the Armenia Fund for over fifteen years says that the community felt that a renovated school is possibly the most important expression of faith in a community’s future. “This is what will make parents think twice about leaving a community,” he noted. “This is why our community is ready to take on this nearly half-million dollar commitment. It is worth it.”

 

“We see the revitalization of the village schools as a potent tool in breaching the isolation of the border communities. The creation of a favorable educational environment will allow the children to realize their potential to the fullest and receive knowledge that will be competitive in today’s world,” says Vahe Aghabegians, the Armenia Fund (Hayastan All Armenian Fund) Executive Director. “We want the children in the border villages to see that the change is starting from them and they, in turn, are the ones who will bring change and a better life to their communities.”

 

Public Radio of Armenia