FAR donates $5 million to Tavush province
"Four years ago, when FAR representatives were in Armenia and met with the president of the country, the latter suggested that we include border villages and cities in our programs. In response to this proposal, we decided to focus our attention on the region of Tavush. At that time Edward and Janet Mardigians promised to donate $5 million to the program", said Archbishop Barsamian.
Archbishop Barsamian noted that over the past 25 years FAR provided a $300 million worth assistance to Armenia, which were distributed to agricultural, educational, scientific and other sectors.
The program in Tavush embraces the provincial center - the city of Berd - and 16 rural communities. As part of it 20 tractors were given to provincial residents. Also schools and kindergartens were renovated, equipped with new furniture and appliances and provided with three meals a day. FAR also allocates scholarships for higher education.
According to FAR Board of Directors member Karl Bazaryan, in the village of Chinchin eight agricultural cooperatives were set up, which now cultivate about 120 hectares of land.
"The objective of this program is to help overcome poverty in Tavush region, one of the unsecured regions of Armenia. Thanks to the donation of the Mardigian family we hope that these people are now better off. They are able to develop and not only withstand the difficulties of life, but live under enemy’s everyday shelling, ‘he said. -0-