NOR EDESIA COMMUNITY CELEBRATES RENOVATION OF COMMUNITY CENTER

On October 15, 2010, the USAID-funded Small Scale Infrastructure Program (SSIP), implemented by Cooperative Housing Foundation International (CHF) and its partner Shen NGO, marked the renovation of the Nor Edesia Community Center in the Aragastotn marz. In attendance at the event were, Governor of Aragatsotn Sargis Sahakyan, USAID Armenia Mission Deputy Director John Seong, Orange Armenia General Director Bruno Duthoit, Mayor of Nor Edesia Vahan Abgaryan, Director of Shen NGO Hayk Minasyan, CHF/Armenia Country Director Zoran Radic, representatives of the USAID Mission, implementing partners and the village community.

The community center is a one-story building, which required a complete reconstruction. CHF replaced the roof, installed new windows, doors, and installed new electric wiring. CHF also installed a gas-fired heating system so that it can be connected once gas is brought to the village. In the meantime, the community center will use electrical heating. The total space for renovation comprised 250 square meters. The community center will host an internet center equipped by Shen NGO in cooperation with Orange Armenia. Two rooms in the community center will also be given out for rent to the offices of the community Water Users Association and local HayPost, which will help generate revenues for the municipality to cover facility maintenance costs.

With the project’s completion, the village community will have a place to gather together for identifying and prioritizing community problems and finding solutions to those issues. “The community center will not only provide computer lessons, internet club, library, and other services to the community but will activate the people of the community to better participate in planning and organizing everyday community life,” stressed John Seong During the inaugural speech.

Seven people from the community and five from neighboring communities were employed by the project. After the renovation, two computer specialists will get permanent jobs in the computer club.

The USAID/Armenia Deputy Mission director noted that apart from the Nor Edesia community center renovation project, USAID’s efforts in Aragatsotn also include the renovation of the Mastara kindergarten, pre schools in Parpi and Tsakhkahovit, and computer clubs in Ashnak and Katnaghbyur.

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 get permanent employment at the facilitites rehabilitated through SSIP.