For Immediate Release
April 21, 2006

ARMENIA FUND USA AIDS “CHILDREN’S HOME” ORPHANAGE

Providing much needed heating system restoration and infrastructure support to the “Children’s Home” orphanage in Yerevan, Armenia

NEW YORK, New York – Armenia Fund USA (Fund), East Coast Affiliate of Hayastan Himnadram All-Armenian Fund, is pleased to announce the successful implementation of a much needed heating system restoration project in “Children’s Home” orphanage, Yerevan, Armenia. Having started in November of last year, the project was brought to its successful completion in January of 2006 through the generous contribution of Mr. Agop Giritliyan. With project implementation support from Armenia Fund USA’s Armenian affiliate, Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, the heating system’s restoration was completed in January of 2006.

Constructed in 1937 and currently located in the district of Nork, “Children’s Home” orphanage in Yerevan has been intended for children aged 6 years and under. Today, it gives shelter to about 80 children, with an average of 150 children annually passing through its portals. Once children reach the age of 6, they are relocated to other orphanages (mankadoons) throughout Yerevan, Gavar, and other towns. When necessary, the mankadoon in Gyumri, which specializes in the care of children with various neurological illnesses and disabilities, is accessed for those children with special needs.

Children's performance at Nork Orphanage

Yerevan winters can be brutally cold with the winds of the surrounding Ararat and Aragats mountains piercing Soviet-era stone structures which house most of the city’s institutionalized children. But with their hands tied by the socio-economic realities of a recovering Armenia, many orphanages struggle daily with critical needs such as overcrowding, poor plumbing/sanitation, and lack of heat.

That is why Liana Karapetian, director of the “Children’s Home”, was so grateful when Armenia Fund USA – through the generosity of Agop Giritliyan- was able to come alongside the “Children’s Home” in order to address the serious need of a reliable heating system. The outdated system from Soviet times had not been working since 1989, and repairing it would have cost more than developing a new system for the orphanage. Challenged to sufficiently heat the home for the children — aged 0–6 years, Director Liana Karapetian had previously been forced to rely on electricity — which then presented severe budgetary challenges. But now, through Agop Giritliyan’s gift and Armenia Fund USA’s efforts, a brand-new system utilizes natural gas- a more economical and reliable resource for heat.

On behalf of the staff, management and children, “Children’s Home” director Liana Karapetian expressed her gratitude to Armenia Fund USA and the Giritliyan family, as well as to Hayastan Himnadram, for the sincere compassion and concern for the children’s well-being in cold winter.

A little girl, performing a traditional Armenian dance at Nork Orphanage

Also, on the occasion of the successful completion of the project, Naira Melkoumian, executive director/Hayastan Himnadram, visited the orphanage. She announced Himnadram’s interest in undertaking another project at the orphanage – this time directed toward repairing the roof of the building.

Armenia Fund USA’s has distinguished itself by implementing projects ranging from grassroots development projects to specific problem-solving initiatives. With the support of its donors and constituents, the Fund will continue in its mission of improving Armenian lives by building foundations that will sustain the economic growth and stability of the country and its people.

ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: ARMENIA FUND USA, founded in 1992, was the first of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 19 international affiliates and serves constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit, non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all Armenian constituents.

Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 19 international affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and Karabakh, and having helped build 138 miles of roads, 100 miles of waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission networks, 210 residential buildings and 15 healthcare institutions.

Armenia Fund USA’s Mission is the development of strategic socio-economic infrastructure in Armenia and Karabakh, focusing on major projects such as major highways, schools, drinking water to communities and humanitarian programs in education, training and medical facilities. The Fund has adopted a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.

To learn more about Armenia Fund USA, please visit our website at
www.ArmeniaFundUSA.org or call us at 212-689-5307.

Armenia Fund USA
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 301
New York, NY 10038