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A new swimming pool, co-financed by the European Union and Goris Municipality, will soon provide hydrotherapy services for children with disabilities and additional support needs in Goris. The initiative, implemented within the framework of the “Partnership for Syunik: Enhanced Community-Based Social Services” project, is being undertaken by People in Need in cooperation with the Goris WINNET Development Foundation, and Armenian Caritas.
Narek Mnatsakanyan, Head of the Financial Department of Goris Municipality, highlighted the importance of hydrotherapy, noting that there is a need for such services in communities across Armenia.
“Goris organised the project and allocate the necessary resources in cooperation with international and local organisations specialising in this field. The service will soon become fully operational and will benefit many people. At the same time, when we speak about hydrotherapy, it should be noted that the swimming pool will not only serve children with disabilities and additional support needs; it will be available to other children and adolescents. Delivering a social service of this kind can serve as a good example for other communities, creating opportunities for future cooperation and the introduction of other social services,” said Mnatsakanyan.
He added that one of the greatest challenges faced by municipalities is ensuring the long-term financing of social programmes, as needs are significant while financial resources remain limited.
“Nevertheless, specific funding has already been allocated for this project. We will do everything possible to ensure that the hydrotherapy service is sustainable and continues in the long term.” he said.
The swimming pool, which is a municipally owned facility, will be operated by the municipality, while methodological guidance and professional support will be provided by the Darman Social and Health NGO.
Shushanik Mirumyan, President of the Darman Social and Health NGO, noted that the hydrotherapy service is unique and is currently the first and only service of its kind in Goris and the neighbouring communities.
“This much-needed service is designed to provide rehabilitation therapy for children and adolescents aged 6 to 16 with disabilities. Until now, Goris has not had such a swimming pool, and this need remained completely unmet. We also intend to use the facility as an opportunity for neurotypically developing children, helping to prevent future musculoskeletal problems. Children will also be able to learn to swim here,” said Mirumyan.
In her opinion, one of the project's important achievements in Goris was the establishment of the Community Social Committee. The committee played an active monitoring and oversight role, and provided the necessary support, throughout the construction of the swimming pool.
“We hope the committee will continue to play an important and valuable role in the future. All issues related to the social and health sectors are discussed thoroughly within the committee, and the positive results are already visible,” Mirumyan added.
The Armenpress team visited the swimming pool building to observe the final stage of construction. According to the project design, the facility includes all the necessary features to provide high-quality hydrotherapy services for children with disabilities and additional support needs. Every detail has been carefully considered to ensure accessibility and ease of movement throughout the building.
Local children eagerly await the opening of the swimming pool and believe that it will significantly enrich their lives by combining enjoyable recreational activities with rehabilitation and health benefits.
The Partnerships for Syunik – Enhanced Community-Based Social Services project is implemented by People in Need within the framework of the European Union’s Resilient Syunik – Team Europe Initiative, in cooperation with the WINNET Goris Development Foundation and Armenian Caritas. This work has been made possible thanks to cooperation with civil society, Armenia’s Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, the Syunik Regional Administration, local government bodies, and the social committees of all seven regional municipalities.
The Resilient Syunik – Team Europe Initiative is a joint programme involving the European Union, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, ten EU Member States (Austria, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden), and Switzerland. This initiative promotes sustainable socio-economic development in the Syunik region.