YERVANDASHAT, Armenia—A long-waited housewarming was celebrated in the village of Yervandashat. The second family is also close to the realization of its dream. VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian, volunteer staff members, Fuller Center for Housing Armenia team and the Global Builders volunteer team from the USA joined forces to help the Muradyan family complete the construction of their half-built home. The construction of one family’s house was followed by another family’s, the Ghazaryans’ home blessing ceremony.
‘’We are grateful to you for always standing firm next to the families keeping the country borders. There is no greater happiness than to acknowledge that you are not alone, that there are caring people next to you who have willingly helped to finish the construction of the long-waited house. Soon we will also move to our new and comfortable home. We are very glad that today one of our villager’s already completed house is going to be blessed,’’ said the Muradyan family father, Hakob.
It is already 64 years the Muradyans have been living in Yervandashat. Their large family have lived in a building that used to serve as a kindergarten and needed renovation. As the political and economic situation in the country worsened their dream of having their own home remained unaccomplished. In 2005 they started the construction of the new house but were unable to finish it.
The Ghazaryans, who were already celebrating a home blessing, have tried to build their own house for 25 years. They have put the stone on the stone, but have been unable finish the construction due to the lack of financial means. The family has lived in a half-built house for 15 years without basic necessities. Finally, all the difficulties are left behind.
Today the housing project implemented through the financial investment of VivaCell-MTS has given its first result. The first achievement of the project launched a few months ago in this region was marked through a home blessing ceremony.
“Words can’t describe the happiness we feel today. We have longed for this day, we have worked very hard to one day have a home of our own, we have dreamed so long that one day our sons would have a strong roof over their heads, but we couldn’t… We express our gratefulness to VivaCell-MTS and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia for being next to the people living on the border and sharing our infinite happiness by being present in our home-blessing ceremony,’’ the Ghazaryan family mother, Mrs. Gohar, expressed her gratefulness.
“Every single stone here was laid with love and that love carries a belief in bright future. It is particularly important that the villagers living in the borderland villages feel that they are not alone when facing hardships and that people from various organizations have united to help their families stand solidly on the soil of the Homeland. That feeling is the warranty for success,’’ said VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.
“The home for an Armenian is not just a place to live in. It’s the soul of the family, the warranty and the cornerstone of the secure and decent life. The project implemented in the borderline villages of Armenia through the financial investment of VivaCell-MTS is aimed at creating decent conditions for each family that will give them an opportunity to live, work and create on their own land in their own homes and to have a base and warranty for future happy life,’’ said Fuller Center for Housing Armenia president, Ashot Yeghiazaryan.
To remind, VivaCell-MTS has invested 55 million dram for the housing project in the borderland villages of Armenia and Fuller Center for Housing Armenia has undertaken the implementation of the project. Thanks to this partnership 25 families from borderland villages of Armenia will enjoy the happiness of living in their decent homes by the end of the year.
VivaCell-MTS (K-Telecom CJSC) is Armenia’s leading mobile operator, having the widest 2G/3.75G/4G network reach and spreading a wide range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best of the Armenian people interest at heart since its launch on 1st July 2005 and in a short period of time VivaCell-MTS has managed to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. VivaCell-MTS drives innovation and aims at always being at the forefront of any development serving the Armenian mobile communications market. The company follows the guidance provided by ISO 26000 (International Standard of Social Responsibility). For more information, visit www.mts.am.
Fuller Center for Housing Armenia is a non-governmental, charitable organization that supports community development in the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh by assisting in building and renovating simple, decent and affordable homes, as well as advocating the right to a decent shelter as a matter of conscience and action. FCHA provides long-term, interest-free loans to low-income families. The monthly repayments flow into a Revolving Fund, which is used to help more families, thereby providing a financial foundation for sustainable community development. Up to know the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia has assisted 300 families, the construction of 30 more family houses is in process. For more information, please visit www.fullercenterarmenia.org or email us at carmenia@fullercenterarmenia.org.