PRESS RELEASE
The Paros Foundation
Peter Abajian, Executive Director
918 Parker Street, Suite A14
Berkeley, CA 94710
Tel: 310-400-9061
email: [email protected]
web: www.parosfoundation.org
Paros foundation's 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity
Armenia--What do computer classes for children, new traditional Armenian
dance costumes, and a photo exhibit of Armenian women have in common? All
three are the latest projects completed through the Paros Foundation's 100
for 100 Projects for Prosperity, bring the total number of projects
completed or in progress to 69.
While children in the villages of Lanjik and Torosgyugh in Armenia's Shirak
region have been fortunate enough to participate in local dance ensembles,
they have lacked their own costumes. Upon learning of this need through the
Paros website, Nairi Balian and her family immediately decided to help make
these children's dreams a reality. Mrs. Balian had been in an Armenian
dance group during her childhood and appreciates how important costumes are
to children's motivation and enthusiasm. Through the Balian family
sponsorship, 30 village children received two sets of costumes and a pair
of dance shoes.
On August 16, both communities came together and organized a one of a kind
dance concert in celebration of the costumes. "Receiving their own new
dance costumes and shoes was a dream come true for these children! It has
truly been a unifying experience for the entire village," said Gohar
Markosyan, President of the "Women for Development" NGO, who oversaw the
design and manufacturing of the costumes.
In Yerevan, children attending the Ghoghanj Children's Center benefited
through another important project, the implementation of computer and
associated Internet instruction. Founded in 2003, the Ghoghanj Children's
Center works with vulnerable "at-risk" children and their families to help
them overcome social, psychological, and legal issues, and it provides
proper support and guidance for the children so they can excel in school.
"We are so grateful to have secured funding for our computer and internet
courses. Many of our students have had absolutely no access to computers
and Internet usage outside of Ghoghanj, " said Diana Grigoryan, Director of
the Ghoghanj Children's Center.
This project received funding through donations made in honor of Maroush
Dekermenjian's birthday. It was Ms. Dekermenjian's birthday wish to give
back to children in Armenia. Now students at the Ghoghanj Center will
develop new innovative skills that will positively impact both their
schooling and hopefully future careers.
On July 23, Christina Cherekdjian's Paros 100 for 100 Project came to life
with the opening of the Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit in Yerevan, Armenia.
The Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit sheds light on the role of women in
Armenia. Christina, a high school student from Campbell, California,
spearheaded this project. Her interest in women's issues prompted her to
apply and win a grant through her school to initiate this important
project.
The Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit is comprised of a series of photographs
taken by Christina and several of her peers during The Paros Foundation's
SERVICE-Armenia 2014 trip this summer. The photographs feature women of
different ages and socio-economic backgrounds, and from rural and urban
environments throughout Armenia.
"The photos tell interesting stories about the role of women in modern day
Armenia," explained Christina. "As we traveled and worked throughout
Armenia and Artsakh, we witnessed the many challenges faced by women in
their everyday lives, and we tried to capture these moments in the photos."
The exhibit, comprised of more than 40 large format photographs, began its
tour at the Narekatsi Art Center in Armenia during September 2014 and will
be showcased throughout Armenia and the United States over the course of
the next year.
The Paros Foundation underwrote all administrative expenses associated with
these projects allowing all contributions to be allocated 100% to this
project. Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, are
tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Formally launched in 2006, The Paros Foundation supports six exemplary
local NGOs in Armenia and launched the Paros 100 for 100 Projects for
Prosperity in October of 2011 to commemorate the upcoming centennial of the
Armenian Genocide. With an aggressive goal of identifying, vetting,
fundraising for and ultimately implementing 100 special projects, The Paros
Foundation and its staff in Armenia and the United States are quickly
earning a reputation as the "go to" organization to oversee small and
medium-sized project implementation in Armenia. For more information and to
get involved visit www.parosfoundation.org or call (310) 400-9061.
To sponsor a project of the Paros Foundation's 100 for 100 Projects for
Prosperity, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.
The Paros Foundation
Peter Abajian, Executive Director
918 Parker Street, Suite A14
Berkeley, CA 94710
Tel: 310-400-9061
email: [email protected]
web: www.parosfoundation.org
Paros foundation's 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity
Armenia--What do computer classes for children, new traditional Armenian
dance costumes, and a photo exhibit of Armenian women have in common? All
three are the latest projects completed through the Paros Foundation's 100
for 100 Projects for Prosperity, bring the total number of projects
completed or in progress to 69.
While children in the villages of Lanjik and Torosgyugh in Armenia's Shirak
region have been fortunate enough to participate in local dance ensembles,
they have lacked their own costumes. Upon learning of this need through the
Paros website, Nairi Balian and her family immediately decided to help make
these children's dreams a reality. Mrs. Balian had been in an Armenian
dance group during her childhood and appreciates how important costumes are
to children's motivation and enthusiasm. Through the Balian family
sponsorship, 30 village children received two sets of costumes and a pair
of dance shoes.
On August 16, both communities came together and organized a one of a kind
dance concert in celebration of the costumes. "Receiving their own new
dance costumes and shoes was a dream come true for these children! It has
truly been a unifying experience for the entire village," said Gohar
Markosyan, President of the "Women for Development" NGO, who oversaw the
design and manufacturing of the costumes.
In Yerevan, children attending the Ghoghanj Children's Center benefited
through another important project, the implementation of computer and
associated Internet instruction. Founded in 2003, the Ghoghanj Children's
Center works with vulnerable "at-risk" children and their families to help
them overcome social, psychological, and legal issues, and it provides
proper support and guidance for the children so they can excel in school.
"We are so grateful to have secured funding for our computer and internet
courses. Many of our students have had absolutely no access to computers
and Internet usage outside of Ghoghanj, " said Diana Grigoryan, Director of
the Ghoghanj Children's Center.
This project received funding through donations made in honor of Maroush
Dekermenjian's birthday. It was Ms. Dekermenjian's birthday wish to give
back to children in Armenia. Now students at the Ghoghanj Center will
develop new innovative skills that will positively impact both their
schooling and hopefully future careers.
On July 23, Christina Cherekdjian's Paros 100 for 100 Project came to life
with the opening of the Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit in Yerevan, Armenia.
The Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit sheds light on the role of women in
Armenia. Christina, a high school student from Campbell, California,
spearheaded this project. Her interest in women's issues prompted her to
apply and win a grant through her school to initiate this important
project.
The Aghcheeg Project Photo Exhibit is comprised of a series of photographs
taken by Christina and several of her peers during The Paros Foundation's
SERVICE-Armenia 2014 trip this summer. The photographs feature women of
different ages and socio-economic backgrounds, and from rural and urban
environments throughout Armenia.
"The photos tell interesting stories about the role of women in modern day
Armenia," explained Christina. "As we traveled and worked throughout
Armenia and Artsakh, we witnessed the many challenges faced by women in
their everyday lives, and we tried to capture these moments in the photos."
The exhibit, comprised of more than 40 large format photographs, began its
tour at the Narekatsi Art Center in Armenia during September 2014 and will
be showcased throughout Armenia and the United States over the course of
the next year.
The Paros Foundation underwrote all administrative expenses associated with
these projects allowing all contributions to be allocated 100% to this
project. Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, are
tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Formally launched in 2006, The Paros Foundation supports six exemplary
local NGOs in Armenia and launched the Paros 100 for 100 Projects for
Prosperity in October of 2011 to commemorate the upcoming centennial of the
Armenian Genocide. With an aggressive goal of identifying, vetting,
fundraising for and ultimately implementing 100 special projects, The Paros
Foundation and its staff in Armenia and the United States are quickly
earning a reputation as the "go to" organization to oversee small and
medium-sized project implementation in Armenia. For more information and to
get involved visit www.parosfoundation.org or call (310) 400-9061.
To sponsor a project of the Paros Foundation's 100 for 100 Projects for
Prosperity, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.