Mentally Disabled Children Will Enjoy at School the Best Sanitary Conditions Due to Counterpart’s Small Reconstruction Project

September 24, 2009

Maria Longi and Melanya Poghosyan cut the ribbon (Counterpart International)

Contact:  Counterpart International, CHAP/Armenia
Telephone: +374 (10) 51-90-26
Fax:   +374 (10) 52-43-65
Email:   nare@counterpart.am
Expert Available for Further Information: Armine Khachatryan, at armine@counterpart.am

Abovyan, Kotayk Marz, Armenia – On September 16, 2009 Maria Longi, Chief of U.S. Department of State EUR/ACE FSA Division and Melanya Poghosyan, Director of the Special School # 1 for Mentally Disabled Children of Abovyan,  cut the ribbon marking the opening of the newly reconstructed bathrooms at Special Boarding School #1 in Abovyan. Counterpart International’s Community and Humanitarian Assistance Program (CHAP) in Armenia has implemented the U.S. Department of State-funded small reconstruction project due to which hygiene and sanitary conditions of the bathrooms at the Abovyan School for Mentally Disabled Children have been improved significantly.

Since 2004, the Abovyan School cooperates with Counterpart’s CHAP, which has delivered the school assistance in the form of bunk beds, bedding, clothing, school and hygiene supplies, and other needed items, the total value of which reached $67,000.00. In 2007, CHAP/Armenia implemented a U.S. DoS-funded Small Reconstruction Project in result of which the school’s cafeteria and kitchen have been renovated completely.

This Small Reconstruction Project was another logical step in this partnership implemented by Counterpart’s CHAP staff in close cooperation with the school management. Under this project the ceiling and walls have been repaired and painted, floor has been evened and covered with ceramic tiles; the old wooden doors have been replaced with PVC ones. New lavatory pans and hand-washing basins with fittings have been installed; water pipes and electric cables have been replaced with new ones; the sewage system has been fixed; two water tanks have been installed to provide permanent water for the bathrooms.

LDS Charities contributed to the project through provision of part of the needed construction materials for the bathrooms.  Latter-day Saint Charities (LDSC) is the humanitarian branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, headquarters in Salt lake City, Utah, USA and provides humanitarian assistance to many countries throughout the world. LDS was registered in Armenia in 1988 and since then provides services in education, promotion and health spheres. Counterpart started collaboration with LDS Charities from the beginning of its activities in Armenia.

“The Renovation of the school bathrooms is the best surprise that our children received by the beginning of new Academic Year. Though these children lack many things in their life, your assistance brought ray of light to them. Their eyes convey joy and happiness and express gratitude to all those kind people who contributed much during implementation of this project, who still think and take care of them. Thank you very much for this urgent support.” said Melanya Poghosyan, director of the school.

The Special Boarding School #1 for Mentally Disabled Children is located in Abovyan, Kotayk Marz, and has more than 30 years history. The school is under the government patronage and provides special education to over one hundred mentally disabled children from Abovyan town and neighboring villages. The school’s bathrooms were not adequate to serve about 100 children and personnel of the school and required urgent renovation to meet basic standards. There was an acute need for full reconstruction of the bathrooms to eliminate the existing insanitation.   

CHAP operates in Armenia since 1995. From its commencement until present, the program has assisted more than 2.5 million needy Armenians. Through its network of 477 partner organizations, CHAP imported and distributed humanitarian assistance to Armenia valued at over $30 million.

Established in 1965, Counterpart International (Counterpart) has forged strategic partnerships in more than 65 countries. With 350 staff currently operating in 25countries, Counterpart’s programs encompass humanitarian aid and relief assistance, health care, democracy and governance, natural resource management and feeding the impoverished. Though Counterpart’s projects are diverse, they share a common objective: improving the lives of those in need by empowering people and local institutions to develop innovative, holistic, and lasting solutions that address social, economic and environmental challenges. Learn more at http://www.counterpart.org.