VivaCell, Fuller Center for Housing Armenia House Three More Families

YERVANDASHAT, Armenia—The best evaluation of the partnership between VivaCell-MTS and Fuller Center for Housing Armenia launched at the beginning of the year is the happiness of the families they’ve helped. VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian, staff members from the company and Fuller Center for Housing Armenia team visited Yervandashat village to share with three families their long-awaited happiness.

Three more families from the borderland village of Yervandashat will meet autumn happily and proudly without having to worry about leaks from the roof during rainy weather or the necessity of burning wood for hot water. The sad memories of damp walls, the moldy ceiling and the permeable windows are already in the past.

“A few months ago there wasn’t even hope that the summer would be so productive and the cherished dream of mine, my family and my fellow villagers would come true. I’m very thankful to the project that helps not only build homes but also lives, not only walls but also hope, not only roof but also belief in the future,’’ shared Varuzhan Avagyan, whose family has been living with his parents and brother’s extended family for many years without basic necessities.

In a five-month period six houses were renovated and two half-constructed houses built in the village of Yervanadashat through this project.

“Entering a new home is symbolic of the birth of a new beginning in the family life — renewed hopes, new aspirations, new plans, weaved with love, leaving all misfortunes, frustrations in the past. It’s becoming especially important in the borderland. By renewing the hopes of our compatriots living on the very edge, we all put vital strength into them, make them feel stronger, and by that we restate our declared mission and national objective out loud – our fathers lived in this country, we live in this country, and afterwards, our children will be living in this country, our common home, Armenia. Every stone that we put upon a stone adds to the vital powers of our souls, our joint national spirit. We will stand firm on this sacred soil, forever; we must, and this is our message to everyone in the country and outside it,’’ said VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

“Our partnership with VivaCell-MTS is very productive and now we are the eyewitnesses of the results. By the end of the year 25 families from four borderland villages of Armenia will live in their decent homes. The project helps our compatriots living on the border feel that they are not alone on the border, that even the walls of the home help to be stronger and it is safe when the walls of that home are solid,” said Ashot Yeghiazaryan, Fuller Center for Housing Armenia President.

VivaCell-MTS has invested 55 million Armenian dram for the housing project in the borderland villages of Armenia and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia has undertaken the implementation of the project.

VivaCell-MTS (K-Telecom CJSC) is Armenia’s leading mobile operator, having the widest 2G/3.75G/4G network reach and spreading a wide range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best of the Armenian people interest at heart since its launch on 1st July 2005 and in a short period of time VivaCell-MTS has managed to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. VivaCell-MTS drives innovation and aims at always being at the forefront of any development serving the Armenian mobile communications market. The company follows the guidance provided by ISO 26000 (International Standard of Social Responsibility). For more information, visit www.mts.am.

Fuller Center for Housing Armenia is a non-governmental, charitable organization that supports community development in the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh by assisting in building and renovating simple, decent and affordable homes, as well as advocating the right to a decent shelter as a matter of conscience and action. FCHA provides long-term, interest-free loans to low-income families. The monthly repayments flow into a Revolving Fund, which is used to help more families, thereby providing a financial foundation for sustainable community development. Up to know the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia has assisted 300 families, the construction of 30 more family houses is in process. For more information, please visit www.fullercenterarmenia.org or email us at carmenia@fullercenterarmenia.org.