A Safer Path to Education
The Children of Armenia Fund unveiled significant upgrades to its existing afterschool transportation system at an official ceremony held on March 7 in Debet village, in Armenia’s Lori region.
Thanks to the generous donation of Armenian-American philanthropist Jack Youredjian, the foundation has acquired 16 modern buses and passenger vehicles that will provide free transportation seven days a week for approximately 1,500 children from 30 communities across the region to COAF’s SMART Center afterschool program.
This investment in cost-free afterschool transportation marks a major advancement in Armenia’s education sector, ensuring children’s safety while enhancing access to quality learning opportunities. The transportation upgrade will revitalize the region by fostering community engagement and enhancing the quality of available education options for local families.
During the event, COAF and JAC Motors signed a memorandum to express their commitment to collaborate on the implementation of transportation systems for future SMART Centers as well, most notably, the upcoming SMART Center in Armavir.
The event will be attended by representatives of the Government of Armenia, the Governor of Lori, Jack Youredjian—philanthropist and founder of the Youredjian Family Charitable Foundation—and COAF’s Executive Director, Liana Ghaltaghchyan.
COAF’s new fleet of 2024-model JAC vehicles represent the organization’s student-centric ethos, equipped with advanced safety features. All 16 vehicles are fitted with GPS tracking systems, driver behavior monitoring, surveillance systems for both drivers and passengers, and comprehensive biometric identification measures.
As part of COAF’s mission to make education more accessible, this new service is a significant achievement aimed at improving the well-being not only of local children but of the entire region.
The Children of Armenia Fund is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization dedicated to transforming the lives of children in rural Armenia through a holistic approach to education, healthcare, social services, and economic development. COAF helps young Armenians expand their universe so that they can shape a brighter future. The organization launched its programs in 2004, starting with a single village and has since expanded to 82+ communities in Armenia and Artsakh, investing over $70 million that have benefited more than 100,000 rural residents to date.
