For Immediate Release ~ February 22, 2012
Contact: Sarkis Kotanjian ~ 818-243-6222
Yerevan, Armenia - An anonymous donor from Toronto has gifted a new minibus to the school of Shosh, a village in Artsakh's Askeran Region, as a New Year's present.
"It's hard to imagine how children from nearby villages walk some 2.5 kilometers daily to reach their school," says Migirdich Migirdichian, chairman of the Armenia Fund's Toronto affiliate. "We're overjoyed that those days are finally over for these youngsters and they will be able to use their time more efficiently now."
The three-story Shosh School was built in 2004 through the support of the fund's Toronto affiliate. With the continued sponsorship of Toronto's Armenian community, the school's computer room will be provided with Internet access sometime within the next few weeks. Moreover, thanks to the efforts of the Toronto affiliate and a contribution from another anonymous donor, the students will have school uniforms early in spring.
"The Toronto Armenian community never makes a distinction between big or small issues that face the homeland, instead providing assistance to whichever area where its support is needed, and focusing special attention on projects that benefit our young generation," said Ara Vardanyan, executive director of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund.
Commenting on the ongoing support given to the Shosh School, principal Hamlet Harutyunyan said, "On behalf of the entire school, I convey our gratitude to all benefactors who contribute to the school as well as Mr. Migirdichian of the Armenia Fund's Toronto affiliate. As for our schoolchildren, they express their thanks by being good students."
