Haghpat community kindergarten restoration completed

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS: On November 09, 2010, the USAID-funded Small Scale Infrastructure Program (SSIP), implemented by Cooperative Housing Foundation International (CHF) and Shen NGO, marked the completion of renovation works at the Haghpat community kindergarten in Lori province, now allowing 26 children of the community to get proper preschool education in the village.

The ceremony was attended by the Governor of Lori Aram Kocharyan, USAID/Armenia Acting Program Officer Sheryl Grossman, World Vision Armenia Operations Manager Shagik Maroukhyan, Mayor of Haghpat Sergo Karyan, and representatives of USAID, CHF, Shen NGO and the local community.

A one story building of the kindergarten with 3 linked blocks was constructed in 1989 as a gift from Moldova to the Haghpat community. Due to lack of finances the kindergarten stopped its operation in 2003. The building had not been renovated since its construction and required refurbishment to be operational again. CHF renovated one complete block comprising the bedroom, bathrooms and play room, and carried out a partial renovation of the second block to serve as a nurse’s room, kitchen, laundry room and hall. In addition, World Vision Armenia provided the furniture and kitchen appliances, as well as a playground in the kindergarten yard.

Twenty six unemployed community members received short-term employment for a total of 1374 labor days, while three people will receive full time jobs in the newly renovated kindergarten providing a safe environment for pre-school classes for the Haghpat children. The municipality has already allocated money to cover yearly costs of the kindergarten.

“The project that we celebrate today is the first in Lori marz but just one of nearly 50 priority water and gas systems, sport halls and kindergartens across Armenia that USAID will renovate with our partners CHF and Shen this year. I am happy to share that in Lori we will also reconstruct gas supply systems in Ayroum, and provide water to the Artsni and Lernantsk communities,” said Grossman at the opening ceremony.

As part of other ongoing USG investments in Lori, MCA-Armenia is rehabilitating the Spitak gravity canal and tertiary canals in 3 communities.