Yerevan, May 28, 2012 – On May 27, a delegation of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, led by executive director Ara Vardanyan, officiated the opening of the renovated Shengavit Kindergarten Boarding School, in Yerevan. The extensive refurbishment and refurnishing of the facility were made possible by the financial support of the fund’s British affiliate.
Dignitaries and guests attending the joyous opening ceremony included Armineh Carapeti, chairperson of the fund’s British affiliate; and Jonathan James Aves, ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Republic of Armenia. Carapeti and Aves performed the cutting of the red ribbon.
“It is a great honor for me to participate in this ceremony,” Ambassador Aves said in Armenian. “I convey my heartfelt thanks to the Armenian community of Great Britain, whose efforts have given new life to this school.”
In her poignant welcome speech, Lusine Matinyan, the school’s principal, expressed her gratitude to the British-Armenian community by stating, “Our dear benefactors, generations will come and go, but your marvelous deed will go on to live.”
All three buildings of the large facility, which was originally built in 1965, have been completely renovated. Major components of the project include a redesigned facade and an elegant new lobby, the creation of additional space through the conversion of balconies into glass-covered rooms, new furniture in all rooms and the kitchen, updated landscaping, and a new playground with modern play equipment.
The Shengavit Kindergarten Boarding School is the only one of its kind in Yerevan, serving parentless children and those who come from economically vulnerable families. Currently the school is attended by 180 students between the ages of 2 and 7, of whom 70 are boarders. The school staff includes a psychologist and a therapist.
“A seed that is nurtured will go on to blossom and grow strong,” said Armineh Carapeti in her remarks at the opening ceremony. “I am confident that these children will likewise grow up to become exceptional individuals, given the wonderful environment and care which this facility offers.”
Following the opening ceremony, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund delegation visited two more Yerevan sites where major renovation projects were recently implemented by the fund: the Nork Nursing Home, and the St. Gregory the Illuminator Hospital. In the case of the Nork Nursing Home, the fund has carried out a complete refurbishment of the third and fourth floors of one of the facility’s two buildings; and at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Hospital, the fund has implemented an extensive overhaul of the Nephrology and Dialysis departments. Both projects were made possible through the financial support of the fund’s Toronto affiliate.
