[Economic Development Projects]: More Children Will Attend Kindergarten in Zangakatun.

Last week, loyal FAR benefactors Hratch and Suzanne Toufayan visited Zangakatun along with FAR representatives to see the results of the town’s newly renovated kindergarten, which they helped to support. Especially happy about the visit were the school’s children who were present during the opening ceremony. Thanks to the renovation, the number of children who attend the school will be doubled from 25 to 50.

Zangakatun is one of Ararat marz’s border villages, which is famous among Armenians as being the birthplace of the great Armenian poet Paruyr Sevak.

Prior to this renovation Zangakatun’s kindergarten was deteriorating and unable to appropriately accommodate enough students. Last year it became possible to renovate only one section of the building, which was still not enough to meet the village’s needs.

When in spring 2011, Mr. Toufayan visited Zangakatun, he decided to renovate the second floor of the kindergarten and make a donation so that the school would be able to accept more children.

Construction lasted three months. Today, all rooms of the kindergarten have been completely changed. In addition, a new bathroom and a kitchen were constructed, and each room is now  furnished and carpeted.

During the opening ceremony, FAR Country Director Bagrat Sargsyan thanked the Toufayans for such a great donation. And because of the Toufayans continued support the village’s refrigerator will be opened very soon, he said. The refrigerator will be a turning point for the village’s economic development, as it will enable villagers to store their fruits and vegetable harvests for extended periods, which will provide better opportunity to sell them.

Mr. Toufayan did not hide his excitement that day. There were tears in his eyes when he spoke about the responsibility of each Armenian to help their homeland, and he was happy to see the joy his investment brought to everyone at the school. Mrs. Toufayan also expressed her pride. A plaque dedicated to the couple now hangs on the walls of the kindergarten.

Hratch and Suzanne Toufayan at the newly renovated kindergarten

Toufayans with kindergarten childrenChildren enjoy the new environment of the kindergaten
Zangakatun kindergarten children enjoy the new environmentHratch and Suzanne Toufayan unveil the dedication plaque
Toufayans open the dedication plaqueCredit: Felix Arustamyan

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[Economic Development Projects]: FAR Renovates Kindergarten.

In May 2011, FAR decided to renovate one of the buildings that make up Zangakatun’s only kindergarten. Construction, which began in June, included the installations of an additional bathroom with hot water, a kitchen, an updated sewage system, a bedroom for between 20 and 25 children, a playroom and a lounge. Also, the building will now be properly heated throughout the winter. As a result of the renovations, the school is now ready to admit three and four year olds starting this month.

Recently myself and FAR’s Press Secretary Levon Lachikyan visited Zangakatun to see the results. Thanks to the renovation of this sub-building, the kindergarten admitted another 20 children, bringing the total number of students to 40. Still, there is a great need for many more children to attend the kindergarten, but the facility does not have such capacity yet. There are three more sub-buildings that need renovation. Also, the kindergarten is in need of a washing machine. If all of these improvements are made, 40 more children will be able to attend the kindergarten, and between four and five employees will be hired.

At the end of our conversation, the kindergarten’s Director Marine Grigoryan expressed her deep gratitude. “I would like to convey to FAR my thankfulness, and also thank all the kind people and benefactors who are ready to help children. The healthy sprout results in a healthy fruit. Naturally, we should make every effort to create a healthy environment for the children.”

Read about our first visit to Zangakatun’s kindergarten here.

Renovations of the sub-building began in June.

One of the kindergarten’s rooms prior to its renovation.

Kindergarten, Zangakatun village, June 2011, Credit: Hripsime Papoyan

Credit: Hripsime Papoyan

The kindergarten’s new bedroom

The newly renovated play room.

Changes also included the addition of a bathroom.

Credit: Levon Lachikyan

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[Economic Development Projects]: Construction of the Cold Storage Unit for Zangakatun is Close to Completion.

This autumn, the villagers of Zangakatun are looking forward to the completion of the construction of the Cold Storage Unit. After a fruitful harvest season, this storage unit will help them to preserve their produce during the colder months.

The construction process is quickly drawing to a close. The employees of Megerian Shin LLC, one of the construction companies at work on the project, have already finished the special inner walls. They are made from fire resistant, foam-plastic panels. Next, Gogi Ltd will construct the roof, walls and doors and also the sewage system.

With the help of the Toufayan family, FAR was able to launch the FAR / Toufayan Business Development Support Center two months ago.  Part of this partnership includes the construction of a cold storage unit in the town of Zangakatun.

With the help of the Toufayan family, FAR was able to launch the
FAR / Toufayan Business Development Support Center two months ago
Credit: Levon Lachikyan

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[Economic Development Projects]: Cold Storage Unit for Zangakatun Will Help to Boost a Village Economy.

With the help of the Toufayan family, FAR was able to launch the FAR / Toufayan Business Development Support Center two months ago. Part of this program includes the construction of a cold storage unit in the town of Zangakatun, where FAR staff members have spent considerable time. While the village is rich with gardens and fruits, and the soil is fertile, there is no place for the villagers to store massive quantities of perishable produce for long periods. The new unit will help them to keep their products longer so they can be sold throughout the region and in Yerevan throughout the year. Construction is nearing its final stages and is slated for completion at the end of October.

Recently, FAR Project Manager Karen Sargsyan, FAR Engineer Harutyun Hovsepyan and Megerian Shin LLC representative Sargis Avetisyan visited the site to examine the progress. The ceiling and inner walls, which are made from a newly devised fire-resistant material, are being installed. After this, windows, doors and a roof will be installed, followed by the refrigeration unit itself.

A newly devised fire-resistant material will be used to contain the cold storage unit.

New panels, Credit: Levon LachikyanFAR representatives visit project site.

FAR representatives visit, Credit: Levon LachikyanAt work.

At work Credit: Levon LachikyanCredit: Levon Lachikyan

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