For Immediate Release
July 29, 2010

ARMENIA FUND SUPPLIES 120 HOUSEHOLDS IN DITAVAN WITH WATER

NEW YORK, New York — Since 2009, several infrastructure- and community-development projects have significantly improved the quality of life of the Ditavan community, a village in Armenia’s Tavush region. With an opening ceremony held on July 26, the Armenia Fund unveiled still another measure undertaken on behalf of Ditavan inhabitants: a newly built potable-water system. Sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Armen and Nadia Ekserciyan of Argentina, Benefactor Members of the Fund, the 97 million AMD network spanning 3.5 kilometers will provide around-the-clock drinking water service to Ditavan’s nearly 120 households.

The festive opening ceremony commenced with a prayer and a blessing of the water, offered by Der Torgom Tonikyan of the Gugark Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Subsequently, Tavush Deputy Governor Levon Sargsyan, standing alongside fellow Deputy Governor Vahe Vardapetyan, named Mr. and Mrs. Ekserciyan “Honorary Citizens of Tavush,” in recognition of their continual support of vital development projects in Ditavan. Mr. Ekserciyan, accompanied by his wife, daughters, and a youth delegation led by Vice-Chair Rosita Yussufian of the Fund’s Argentinean affiliate, was honored by this designation: “Some years ago, when my wife and I visited Ditavan for the first time and witnessed the many serious issues the community faced, we could scarcely expect that they could be solved within such a short time span. Today we’re delighted to see that Ditavan has been given a new lease on life.”

As children drank from the tap, sampling the clear, cool water that they can now safely imbibe, Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Deputy Director Ararat Khlghatyan congratulated the residents of the village, concluding his address with the hope that fresh water will bring: “May you enjoy it in good health.”

Following the opening ceremony, the Fund’s Public Relations department presented 415 books to the Ditavan public library, donated by the Safrazbekian family. Apart from the potable-water initiative, the completed projects in Ditavan include a natural-gas network, an irrigation system, a community center that houses the mayoral offices, a health clinic, a public library, and an events hall.

For Armenia Fund’s ongoing commitment to Ditavan, Mayor Seyran Sargsyan conveyed his gratitude: “Day by day, positive changes in Ditavan are becoming increasingly tangible. While the provision of natural gas has resulted in a considerable lessening of deforestation, as people no longer need to cut down trees for firewood, the availability of irrigation water has led to the cultivation of larger tracts of arable land. Moreover, today our residents frequently enjoy cultural and other events, which are held at our new community center, likewise built by the Armenia Fund.”

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.