YEREVAN–On September 15, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, jointly with the Indian Embassy in Armenia, unveiled a renovated school in the borderline Artsni village of Armenia’s Lori region.
The thorough reconstruction of the school was financed by the Government of India through a $221,000 grant to Armenia Fund provided by its Development Assistance Program.
The project resulted in the complete reconstruction of one of the two main buildings of the two-storied school, originally built in 1962. The entire structure was stripped to bear concrete, re-piped, re-plastered and repainted. Improvements include a new roof as well as newly hardwood floors, doors, and windows. A new boiler room was also built to provide the school with heating during the harsh winters.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by the entire Artsni community. Dignitaries present at the event included Indian Ambassador to Armenia Achal Kumar Malhotra, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Manasaryan, Lori Regional Governor Aram Kocharyan, and Armenian Fund Executive Director Ara Vardanyan.
“I am so very happy to be here today celebrating the opening of this beautiful school. We live in a time when a good education is of critical importance to the advancement of the individual, the society, and the entire nation. Of equal importance is the environment in which young people receive their education. I am delighted that the government of India brought its modest contribution to this wonderful project,” said Ambassador Malhotra.
“This is a marvelous achievement. We find it deeply touching that the Government of India extended a helping hand to an Armenian border village. Artsni has a future now because of this well-functioning school,” said Governor Kocharyan.
The population of Artsni – a village situated only half a mile away from the Armenian-Georgian border – has been steadily decreasing since the early 1990s. In the 1980s, 300 students attended the village school; today, there are only 49 students who attend the newly-remodeled school.
Artsni is home to another major Armenia Fund project – a newly built community center that will open its doors within days.
“If we are to give villagers a compelling reason to continue to live in their communities, we must strive to address the most serious of the issues in the village. Today we witness the opening of a remodeled school. Soon Armenia Fund will unveil the new community center. It is through these projects that the community’s future will be forged,” said Vardanyan.
Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian and infrastructure development assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Since 1991, Armenia Fund has rendered more than $200 million in development aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Armenia Fund, Inc. is the U.S. Western Region affiliate of “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund. Tax ID# 95-4485698
