Armenian Fund and Indian Government renovate school in Lori

On September 15, 2010, Armenia Fund (Hayastan All-Armenian Fund) jointly with the Indian Embassy in Armenia unveiled a renovated school in the borderline Artsni village of Armenia’s Lori region. The thorough reconstruction of the school was financed by the Government of India. The AMD 80 million ($221,000 USD) grant to Armenia Fund was provided by the Indian Government’s Development Assistance Program, according to a release by the Indian ambassy in Armenia.

The project resulted in the complete reconstruction of one of the two main buildings of the two-storied school, originally built in 1962. The entire structure was stripped to bear concrete, re-piped, re-plastered and repainted. Improvements include a new roof as well as new hardwood floors, doors, and windows. A new boiler room was built to provide the school with heating during harsh winters.

The opening ceremony was attended by the entire Artsni community. Dignitaries present at the event were The Honorable Achal Kumar Malhotra, India’s Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Manasaryan, Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister of Armenia Aram Kocharyan, Governor of Lori Region and Ara Vardanyan, Executive Director of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund.

“I am so very happy to be here today celebrating the opening of this beautiful school. We live in a time when a good education is of critical importance to the advancement of the individual, the society, and the entire nation. Of equal importance is the environment in which young people obtain their education. I am delighted that the Government of India brought its modest contribution to this wonderful project,” said Ambassador Malhotra.

“This is a marvelous achievement. We find it deeply touching that the Government of India extended a helping hand to an Armenian border village. Artsni has a future now due to this well-functioning school,” said Governor Kocharyan.

The population of Artsni – a village situated only half a mile away from the Armenian-Georgian border – has been on a steady decreas since the early 1990s. In the 1980s, 300 students attended the village school, whereas currently there are only 49 students who attend the newly-remodeled school.