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  • A Trip To A Kindergarten

    A TRIP TO A KINDERGARTEN

    By Hovsep Daghdigian
    California Courier
    JULY 3, 2014, THE CALIFORNIA COURIER, PAGE 15

    http://nebula.wsimg.com/c9cc33df2a16bada882c844e455770ab?AccessKeyId=CAEA6 237ACF321EDB6BB&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

    June, 2014 - I met a friend at the Baghramyan metro station. We were
    heading to the Sasuntsi Tavit station to catch the bus to Ararat
    (the city, not the mountain, near and yet so far). Outside the Metro
    station, across Baghramyan St. from the official office of the Armenian
    president, a small group of retired pilots were protesting cuts in
    their already meagre retirement pay.

    After a bumpy bus ride to the city of Ararat (estimated population
    11,000 - 12,000) we stopped at a children's "cafe" for a cup of coffee.

    One of the local grade schools was having a noisy celebration with
    the children having a great time. When I asked to pay for our two
    coffees, I was told it was "on the house". We then took a marshutka
    (minibus) to Ararat's Zod suburb. This district hosts an Armenian
    army base, including an armored contingent, which guards the border
    with Nakhichevan (Azerbaijan) and is situated to protect Yerevan. As
    we approached we could hear distant cannonfire, presuming it to be
    practice. Troops there have lately been under high alert.The border
    is very close and Azeri snipers are active.

    We proceeded to the kindergarten, hearing it was in very bad shape
    and that it could use a lot of help. The kindergarten is in a two
    story building designed to accommodate about 360 children. Currently
    there are about 75 children enrolled, with a staff of 21, at a cost
    of 3,500tram/month (about $8.50). Not all parents can afford the fee
    so some children do not attend. Also given the poor condition of the
    building, it cannot accommodate many more children.

    Since the building's construction 25 years ago, we were told, there
    has not been one iota of renovation done. I estimate that less
    than 10 percent of the building is habitable. We met some of the
    staff. Most of the teachers were busy with the children, many of whom
    who dressed in the same colorful t-shirts that our children in the
    US wear. Well, of course, they ALL are our children. Fate determined
    that my grandchildren were born in the US; fate decided that these
    kids were born in Ararat.

    That's the difference!

    The building's roof leaks in many places. Moreover there is water only
    on the first floor, apart from the water leaking from the roof. The
    staff carries buckets of water up to the second floor where the
    classrooms are. There are one or two usable toilets - not enough
    for the children there. Moreover there is no sewage connection. Waste
    water and sewage simply drains into the ground around the kindergarten,
    some of it seeping into the basement. In unused areas of the building
    parts of the ceiling are coming down, there are cracks in the wall,
    and the floors are a mess. There is no gas for cooking lunch for
    the children in the antiquated kitchen. Cooking is done on an old
    electric stove, and there is an old refrigerator that, amazingly, still
    works. There is no heat in the building. There are radiators but the
    heating system is inoperable and there is no gas connection to the gas
    line in the street. The school cannot heat with electricity because
    the electricity budget is insufficient, especially given the lack of
    insulation and weather-proof windows. On the bottom floor there are a
    couple of small woodstoves. In the winter the staff brings the stoves
    up stairs to a couple of the classrooms. Children come to school with
    scraps of wood, and any other trash that can burn such as cloth,
    paper, plastic bottles, etc. In one room downstairs are some sacks
    of trash ... stuff to burn this winter.

    Anything that will burn is used.

    Though our visit to the kindergarten was unannounced,the staff was
    very welcoming. They are sincerely dedicated to the school. When
    we suggested that we may be able to find help for renovation of the
    school, one woman had tears in her eyes. We stressed that we cannot
    promise anything, but that we'd see what we can do. But the school
    needs to come up with a detailed renovation plan in coordination with
    the city. I don't know if some seed funding is needed to kick start
    this process.

    After a partial tour of the facilities, including rooms where the
    children were napping, we were treated to some ice cream, some pastry
    which the cook prepared in the old, antiquated kitchen, and coffee.

    Then one of the women revealed some sobering news. Two young Armenian
    soldiers at the nearby border with Nakhichevan (Azerbaijan) were just
    killed, apparently by sniper fire. We continued to tour the facilities.

    Suddenly I could not take it anymore. I just needed to get away and
    think for a minute or two. I strolled down a hallway to clear my head.

    When these beautiful children are 18 or so years old, they will
    be issued a weapon and told to defend their country! I felt like I
    needed to make a decision: sit down and cry, or strangle someone -
    but I don't know who. I haven't quite decided yet.

    All during this process I took photographs. As we left we were shown
    the small part of the school yard where the children are allowed
    to play.

    There's nothing but dry dirt and a few tall weeds. The rest of the
    yard surrounding the school has high, uncut grass and is dangerous
    as the area may contain snakes. There are no swings, slides, or other
    playthings in the outside play area.

    Back in parts of Yerevan workers are planting flowers, watering trees.

    Great legislative progress is being made. A recent law
    prohibits smoking while driving a car, there is a 5,000 tram fine
    (about$12-13). Same with using a cell phone while driving. That's
    ok, but none of this will make a damn bit of difference in anything
    really important.

    Meanwhile huge, expensive SUVs drive around Yerevan and magnificent
    palatial homes are being built.

    I don't know what else to say. There are also many positive things to
    report on. People here have done so much for me, I fear I can never
    adequately repay them back or show them my gratitude. But there
    are some things that are intolerable, and we should not tolerate
    them whether we live in Armenia or the Diaspora. We can't give up,
    there's no second chance. The kids at the school were wonderful, you
    just cannot imagine how wonderful. They probably accept the condition
    of their kindergarten as normal. This should never be normal for any
    child, anywhere, ever!

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