Armenia’s First Security Wall Built at Nerkin Karmir Aghpyur Kindergarten
The village of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur, located in the Bert area of Armenia’s Tavush region, celebrated the re-opening of its kindergarten on Aug. 31 following the complete renovation undertaken by the Paros Foundation. The project was generously sponsored by the New York-based Atamian family through the Paros Foundation’s “100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity” initiative.
Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur is home to 1,380 brave residents. During the conflict with Azerbaijan, it was the single most damaged Armenian village, losing nearly 400 homes. Today, this community still lives with the risk of sniper fire and renewed armed conflict. Seventy percent of the land remains uncultivated due to the dangers of farming on the border. Little opportunities remain for residents, making unemployment and migration a huge problem.
Village children were among those greatly affected by these dangerous living conditions. The previous kindergarten could only serve some of the village children due to its poor physical condition and location, with part of the building and playground being exposed to Azerbaijan.
“The beautiful children of this village deserve to start their education in a safe and warm environment that is conductive to learning. This is one of the most attractive school renovations I’ve seen anywhere in Armenia,” said sponsor Jean-Marie Atamian. “Several years ago my family decided to invest in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur because of the strategic and economic importance of the village. Our border villages protect Armenia’s territorial integrity and secure the country’s food supply. Accordingly, we feel that it is absolutely critical for the residents of our villages know that they are not alone and that the diaspora stands with them in their fight to safeguard Armenia.”
The renovation of the kindergarten, a 2-story 4,600 square foot building, included a new roof, doors and windows, flooring, heating system, restroom, plumbing, electrical, and staircase. The facility was also completely painted with attractive wall murals and was furnished with beds and closets for the children. Substantial repairs were also made to the building’s foundation and first floor to repair damage sustained from Azeri shelling.
The project also included the construction of Armenia’s first “security wall”—a cement, steel, and stone wall that surrounds the renovated playground and protects the children from being easy targets while they play and attend school. As a direct result of the renovation, twice the number of children have been able to attend kindergarten in a safe and comfortable environment.
During the renovations, Azeri sniper fire continued and damaged several parts of the building, including a newly replaced water pipe, the roof, and gutters—a bold reminder of how tenuous the situation remains, and that we must continue to support and invest in the residents of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur.
“My parents, George and Ines Atamian, inspired us to help build a prosperous nation for future generations. Having now completed the renovation of the medical clinic and nursery school, we will move on to equally important projects in this village. We urge everyone to join the extraordinary work being carried out by the Paros Foundation by financing similar infrastructure projects in Armenia’s other border villages,” said Atamian.
“On behalf of the Paros Foundation we extend our deepest gratitude to Jean-Marie Atamian and his family for their continued support of our projects and this border village,” said Peter Abajian, executive director of the Paros Foundation.
A video regarding this important project can be seen at www.parosfoundation.org.
The Paros Foundation underwrote all administrative expenses associated with this project, allowing 100 percent of the Atamian family’s contribution to be allocated to the kindergarten.
Donations to the Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. To sponsor a Paros “100 for 100 Project for Prosperity,” visit www.parosfoundation.org.
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Kudos to Paros Foundation and Armenian-American Atamian family for this patriotic act.
(I will make sure to donate to Paros Foundation early next year)
{“Today, this community still lives with the risk of sniper fire and renewed armed conflict. Seventy percent of the land remains uncultivated due to the dangers of farming on the border. Little opportunities remain for residents, making unemployment and migration a huge problem.”}
The fact that the terrorist criminal gang in Baku snipes at civilians and children shows the true invadonomad savage face of these Uyguroglu Neo-Nazis.
After being convincingly thwarted in their attempt to ethnically cleanse and exterminate indigenous Armenians of Artsakh, and getting massively crushed, losing between 30,000-37,000 invadonomad askyars KIA, the nomads have embarked on another strategy: depopulation of Armenian villages near the borders, by preventing Armenian civilians from living there in peace and cultivating their fields.
This is the true face of these Turkic nomad savages.
{“During the renovations, Azeri sniper fire continued and damaged several parts of the building, including a newly replaced water pipe, the roof, and gutters—a bold reminder of how tenuous the situation remains, and that we must continue to support and invest in the residents of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur.”}