For Immediate Release
June 03, 2010

ARMENIA FUND IMPLEMENTS THREE MAJOR PROJECTS IN LORI REGION

NEW YORK, New York — The Armenia Fund continues to carry out major development projects in Armenia’s Lori Region, the latest being the reconstruction of the community center of the village of Artsni, launched this past February and financed by the Fund’s Montreal affiliate. Concurrently, the reconstruction of Artsni’s school is now underway through the sponsorship of the Indian government and slated for completion imminently is the gymnasium for Spitak’s No. 2 School, also in the Lori Region.

Originally erected some 40 years ago, Artsni’s community center was in dire need of refurbishment. When renovations are completed, the two-story building will house spacious offices for the Artsni Municipality as well as an events hall and medical clinic. The latter two facilities will also serve the residents of the neighboring village of Apaven.

Commenting on the reconstruction projects being executed in Artsni, Mayor Khenko Khachanesyan said: “For the first time in the history of our village, two community institutions are being renovated simultaneously. Moreover, these projects have provided temporary jobs to some dozen local residents.”

The majority of Artsni’s 350 residents are refugees from Getashen and cattle-breeding is the mainstay of the local, rural economy. Formerly known as Kiziltagh, Artsni was given its present name in 1991.

Mayor Khachanesyan is optimistic: “I hope these far-reaching initiatives will help convince villagers who have left Artsni to return to their hometown. Now if only our village were provided with gas service as well, our lives would improve considerably.” Echoed Ara Vardanyan, executive director of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund: “There are still many issues facing the community, but we hope that our development projects will help turn things around and encourage residents to continue to live and work in their village.”

ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: founded in 1992, was one of the first of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 18 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 18 international affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and Karabakh. 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.