Aygedzor Community Celebrates completion of new Reception Hall

On June 10, 2010, the USAID-funded Small Scale Infrastructure Program (SSIP), implemented by Cooperative Housing Foundation International (CHF) and Shen NGO, marked the completion of the Aygedzor Community Reception Hall in Tavush province. In attendance at the event were U.S. Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, Governor of Tavush Armen Ghularyan, USAID Armenia Mission Director Jatinder Cheema, Mayor of Aygedzor Sasun Safaryan, representatives of the U.S. Mission, implementing partners and the village community.

In 2008, the community initiated the construction of a reception hall through local funds and the Government of Armenia’s Paid Public Works program, but insufficient funding brought the project to a standstill. Under the SSIP program, Shen NGO mobilized the community, hiring local unskilled and skilled labor for the construction works that included plastering and painting, installation of ceramic tiles, a hanging ceiling, a bathroom, kitchen and fence. The reception hall was also furnished with wooden tables and chairs. The Aygedzor municipality, led by the Mayor, provided continuous support to the program, working tirelessly with the community members to push the construction forward. Twenty-two local laborers worked on the project and three staff – a manager, cook and janitor – will soon be hired in permanent positions. Events held at the hall will also generate revenues for the municipality to cover facility maintenance costs.

With the project’s completion, the village community will now be able to utilize the new reception hall for various community and family events. “Living in a village far from the capital is undoubtedly challenging. This is when the presence of local infrastructure and services, vital for the community’s well-being, become especially important. With this in mind, local officials and USAID’s Small-Scale Infrastructure Project have selected this project as part of our efforts to create short-term employment in this community,” Ambassador Yovanovitch said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Ambassador noted that apart from the Aygedzor Community Hall reconstruction project, USAID’s efforts in Tavush also include renovation of the Jujevan village school sport hall, external lighting of Sevkar and Teghut communities, renovation of the Sevkar kindergarten, and potable water projects in Kirants, Chinari, Choratan, Verin Karmiraghbyur and Ardzvabert communities. On a country-wide scale, by December 2010 the program expects to complete 48 infrastructure projects that will benefit about 38,000 people and will provide 800 Armenians with short-term employment. Over 140 persons will also gain permanent employment at the facilitites rehabilitated through SSIP.