For Immediate Release
March 24, 2006

THE MANY “FACES” OF ARMENIA FUND USA’S PROJECTS

With its multifaceted programs and initiatives, the Fund’s outreach and socio-economic impact continue to make a difference in thousands of lives

NEW YORK, New York – Non-governmental organizations, working hard to make a difference in lives of beneficiaries, can get caught up in the day to day whirlwind of raising funds, strategic planning, and program implementation in order to effect much-needed change. In the course of ”good works”, it is important to guard that the focus on statistics and dollar signs does not blur the reason we are all working so passionately.

Armenia Fund USA (the Fund) is not an exception to this. As we look back on the large-scale projects which have distinguished the Fund and Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s other 18 worldwide affiliates, we would like to share some of the “Faces” of those whose lives have been forever changed by our programs and initiatives.

For example, look at the small village of Nor Getashen. Located in the northern part of Nagorno-Karabakh, this village was partially destroyed because of the Armenian-Azeri conflict which began in 1991. Fearing for their lives and those of their families, many inhabitants scattered into Russia and other parts of the world. But today, houses and the village school teem with laughter, songs and smiles of men, women and children who have become the new pioneers in their own homeland. And, contributing largely to the repopulation of the village is the provision of safe drinking water made possible by American-Armenian businessman Norman Miller’s gift to Armenia Fund USA for a new water system.

Norman Miller (center) visits Nor Getashen to see the waterways project his generosity helped make a reality While visiting the home of Varduhi Hakhumyan (left) and her family (son on the left and great-grandchildren in the center) with Mayor Alexander Nazarian (right)

In Stepanakert, the region’s capital, a once war-ravaged and destroyed polyclinic will reopen as the new “Armine Pagoumian Polyclinic and Diagnostic Center” in May 2006. Made possible by American-Armenian business leader Mr. George Pagoumian, the facility has state-of-the-art equipment and telemedicine technology, and world class medical training designed by two leading U.S. medical centers. The Polyclinic will not only ensure high-quality medical and healthcare services for the region’s people but it will, because of the advanced training and opportunity to develop new skills, provide the clinic’s staff with increased job security and advancement opportunities.

Doctor’s visit in Karabakh

Today it is not uncommon to see subsistence farm families struggling to barely eek out a living from their small fields – with some of these families living without, literally, any protein in their daily diets. But through Armenia Fund USA’s Agricultural Initiative many of these families will have an opportunity for a raised standard of living. In May 2006, as part of a three-year, three-region initiative, several hundred subsistence farmers in Haterk (Mardakert region) will be invited to join the first Agricultural Development Association (ADA). They will learn how the ADA will provide local jobs and technical support, access to large farm equipment, and small loans to help establish family businesses and expand agriculture production of various products.

A local farmer working the land

Most importantly, the program will combat poverty in the region, thus allowing the families to secure a more economically and stable future for themselves and their homeland.

Armenia Fund USA, through the generous support of its donors, continues touching lives of thousands of people in Armenia and Karabakh. However, this is not only restricted to large-scale projects, but also through smaller — but badly needed — projects which have captured the vision of some of the Fund’s donors. In their continuing commitment to effect social change, several have, over the years, asked Armenia Fund USA to help facilitate their gifts for projects such as the new program to institute preventative measures against the threat of the Avian Influenza in Nagorno-Karabakh. Other examples are the renovation of the heating system in Nork orphanage in Yerevan.

In May 2006, Kevork Toroyan, Chairman, and Irina Lazarian, Executive Director, will travel to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh to review the progress of some recent initiatives. Winding their way from village to village and city to city, they will once again assess the overall economic impact and increased regional stability which have helped shape the future of the region and its people.

But more than that, they will be able to see the “Faces” of the projects and those who will benefit from the new initiatives. They will shake the calloused hand of the aging grandmother who works her small field manually; they will see children who are now safe from once threatening water-borne diseases caused by antiquated and contaminated pipelines; they will see farmers’ carts filled with produce heading to markets, now accessible by the new North-South Highway, and they will celebrate as the doors of the new Armine Pagoumian Polyclinic and Diagnostic Center open to hundreds of people.

ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: ARMENIA FUND USA, founded in 1992, was the first of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 19 international affiliates and serves constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit, non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all Armenian constituents.

Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 19 international affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and Karabakh, and having helped build 138 miles of roads, 100 miles of waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission networks, 210 residential buildings and 15 healthcare institutions.

Armenia Fund USA’s Mission is the development of strategic socio-economic infrastructure in Armenia and Karabakh, focusing on major projects such as major highways, schools, drinking water to communities and humanitarian programs in education, training and medical facilities. The Fund has adopted a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.

To learn more about Armenia Fund USA, please visit our website at
www.ArmeniaFundUSA.org or call us at 212-689-5307.

Armenia Fund USA
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 301
New York, NY 10038