HFH Armenia Catholicos Karekin II Work Project Special Event, 4 September 2006
Aghavnadzor, Vayots Dzor Region, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Habitat for Humanity 2006
Eight-year-old Gayane Hovhannesyan lived with her parents and older brother in a domik for more than 10 years. Her father works at a petrol station while her mother works at the local kindergarten. They started construction on their home in 2004 and were selected as an HFH Armenia family in 2005. Their house is now completed and was blessed by a priest from the American-Armenian Diaspora this summer.
Finally the work I’ve done for Habitat for Humanity in Armenia is complete, and 40 images have been printed for display at next week’s special event to launch the last phase of the Catholicos Karekin II Work Project. As I think HFH Armenia are interested in attracting as many people as possible to the event I thought I’d post details here.
HFH Armenia cordially invites you and a guest to a celebratory reception with honored guest His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II in recognition of the first annual Catholicos Karekin II Work Project. The reception will take place at the Marriott Armenia Hotel on 4 September 2006 from 3-6 pm.
Please contact Zaruhi Tonapetyan for more information or to RSVP. If you’re in Armenia next week come along although the images should be on display at other locations later. Talking of which, some of the work I shot for HFH Armenia is here. There will be 38 images presented at the exhibition held during the event.
Gyumri, Shirak Region, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2005
Fifteen years after Independence was declared from the former Soviet Union, and eighteen years after the devastating 1988 Earthquake, the need for low cost affordable housing in Armenia is as acute as ever. Indeed, while the economy grows with each passing year, salaries have yet to reach a level commensurate to rising house prices both inside and outside Yerevan.
Rind, Vayots Dzor Region, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Habitat for Humanity 2006
The Kureghyan family has also been waiting for suitable accommodation for over 17 years. Again, they too started to construct their own house towards the end of the Soviet era. However, when independence was declared in 1991 and the Soviet system collapsed they were unable to complete it. The family applied to HFH Armenia for assistance and was selected as beneficiaries for a new HFH Armenia house in the spring of 2006.
Aghavnadzor, Vayots Dzor Region, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Habitat for Humanity 2006
Families with children are the worst hit by inadequate living conditions. Deprived of a suitable environment to study, children living in cramped conditions often fall behind those more fortunate. In 2000, a Demographic & Health Survey estimated that 500,000 children live in poverty in Armenia, although that figure has decreased in recent years. Even so, with 35 percent of the population living below the poverty line, the problem remains as acute as ever.
Gavar, Gegharkunik Region, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Habitat for Humanity 2006
Hripsime Tataryan’s parents earn $160 a month and have been living in rented accommodation for 7 years. “Many of my compatriots have had to leave for Russia to earn enough money to acquire a house,” says her father, Vardan Tataryan. “… thanks to all of you, I will not have to live as they do, far from my family, only dreaming of a decent place to live.”
For more information on Habitat for Humanity’s work in Armenia access their web site at http://www.hfharmenia.org/.
Press release 04.09.2006
Armenia Marriott Hotel
15:00pm-18:00pm
The Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians His Holiness Karekin II Work Project will get Blessing from His Holiness and commence construction works
At 3 pm on September 4th in Armenia Marriott Hotel an opening ceremony of “His Holiness Karekin II Work Project” will take a place.
His Holiness Karekin II will give His blessing to the project during the ceremony.
Volunteer construction works will be taken place in Gavar, Gegharkunik region.
From September 4 to 9 volunteers from different countries (USA, Europe and Canada), different backgrounds (church dignitaries and high ranking officials) churches (Armenian Apostolic and NCCCA) ages and occupations will come together to finish construction of a 24-unit condominium building in Gavar, region of Gegharkunik for the needy families, already selected by HFH Armenia in the frame of the Armenian Building on Faith 2006.
In the number of International volunteers that are coming to Armenia a team of National Council of Churches of Christ of America led by the General Secretary Dr. Bob Edgar, Chair of the International Board of Director Dr. Nic Retsinas and the Chair of the Board of Directors for Europe and Central Asia Area Paul Eckelshot and of course the Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians His Holiness Karekin II.
On April 20th an agreement between Habitat for Humanity and Armenian Apostolic Church was assigned. In the frame of this agreement “Catholicos Karekin II Work Project – Armenian Build on Faith” was launched. HFH Armenia will build 37 homes in the frame of this project, symbolizing The Holy See of Mother Etchmiadzin and 36 dioceses of Armenian Apostolic Church.
In the number of the 37 24 will be located in Gavar. The abandoned Soviet- Era residential building will be finished by the volunteers from September 5 to 9 and will get its inhabitants finally.
Cameras and reporters are welcome to Armenia Marriott Hotel on September 4th from 3pm to 6 pm.
Habitat for Humanity Armenia supports community development in the Republic of Armenia by assisting in the construction of simple, decent and affordable homes. The purpose of the organization is to help families in need improve their living conditions, to raise funds to support the vital work, and to give hope to thousands of people across the country. The organization was formed in March of 2000 and to date has dedicated 209 homes giving shelter to more than 1000 people.
For more information on HFH Armenia programs contact to Communications Manager Haykuhi Khachatryan:
HFH Armenia, Yerevan Aygestan 8th street, No. 5.
Tel: office (+374 10) 556 114; cell (+374 93) 376 980
E- mail: haykuhi@hfharmenia.org
http://www.hfharmenia.org
Comment by Haykuhi Khachatryan — September 2, 2006 @ 3:57 pm
Superb. Love the shot of the girl with the two kids in the background on the left.
Edo
http://www.pix.org.uk
http://www.thebppa.com
Comment by Edmond Terakopian — September 2, 2006 @ 9:04 pm
Forgot to say. After Monday’s Reception for the Catholicos Karekin II Work Project the images will be on display at Yerevan’s Hotel Ani from 2-10 September. The images will then be moved elsewhere, but I’m not sure where yet. More when I do.
Comment by Onnik — September 2, 2006 @ 10:05 pm
The Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians His Holiness Karekin II received the group of international volunteers at the Holy Seat of Etchmiadzin
Today on September 3 in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia the Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of all Armenians Karekin II has received the group of international volunteers from the National Council of Churches in Christ of America, who came to Armenia to participate in the Armenian “Building on Faith” Annual Event.
We highly appreciate the work Habitat does in Armenia to support those in need presenting them with an opprtunity to have a hearth and a shelter.
We are happy that you are implementing this work in Armenia in our name. We think it is an reflection of the God’s love towards Our Church and Our People.” , - mentioned His Holiness in His welcome speech, wishing that God brings success to All the kind initiatives and programs. of Habitat. The Patriarch encouraged everone to support Habitat’ s work with their work and prayers so that there are less people in poverty and people would always praise the name of the Lord.
The General Secretary of the National Council Of Churches Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar has thanked His Holiness Karekin II.
Habitat for Humanity Armenia supports community development in the Republic of Armenia by assisting in the construction of simple, decent and affordable homes. The purpose of the organization is to help families in need improve their living conditions, to raise funds to support the vital work, and to give hope to thousands of people across the country. The organization was formed in March of 2000 and to date has dedicated 209 homes giving shelter to more than 1000 people.
For more information on HFH Armenia programs contact to Communications Manager Haykuhi Khachatryan:
HFH Armenia, Yerevan Aygestan 8th street, No. 5.
Tel: office (+374 10) 556 114; cell (+374 93) 376 980
E- mail: haykuhi@hfharmenia.org
http://www.hfharmenia.org
Comment by Haykuhi Khachatryan — September 3, 2006 @ 9:07 pm
August 31, 2006
Build on faith event kicks off in Armenia:
‘Catholicos Karekin II Work Project” to draw 300 volunteers
BUDAPEST (European HQ, Aug. 31) – As part of an ongoing partnership between Habitat for Humanity and the Armenia Apostolic Church, a blitz build of homes for 24 families in need kicks off next week in Armenia.
More than 300 volunteers are expected throughout the week, from His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of all Armenians, to a Harvard professor, to a former Miss Armenia. The build project will provide 37 homes for families in need in Armenia, symbolizing 36 worldwide Dioceses, plus the Holy See. From Sept. 5-9, volunteers will completely renovate one apartment building of 24 homes in Gavar, near Armenia’s Lake Sevan. A further 13 homes are being built across the country.
“With this historic event, we hope to draw attention to the plight of so many still in dire need of simple, decent housing,” says Don Haszczyn, Area Vice President for Habitat for Humanity Europe and Central Asia. “We’re thrilled to join forces with the Armenian Church in our efforts to combat poverty housing in this beautiful country.”
In April, Habitat for Humanity and the Church signed a 3-year partnership aimed to combat poverty housing in Armenia and worldwide.
Among the Catholicos, and scores of international volunteers, other scheduled participants include: Nic Retsinas, Director of Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies and Habitat for Humanity’s International Board of Directors Chair; Bob Edgar, President of the U.S. Council of Churches, and Bishop Vicken Aykazian, President elect of that Council; ambassadors from Lebanon, Egypt, Indonesia and Estonia, and Deputy Head of Mission of the UK Embassy in Armenia. Mistress of Ceremonies will be long-time Habitat for Humanity supporter and former Miss Armenia (1998-99), Gohar Harutyunyan.
In Michigan in 2005, the Catholicos participated in the annual home blitz build, the Jimmy Carter Work Project, where he met with President Carter. Following that, the Catholicos gave his blessing for a home-building event to be created and held in Armenia.
In Armenia, a country of 3 million nestled in the southern Caucasus, 45% of the population lives in poverty, according to the Council of Europe. Over the past decade, a devastating earthquake, conflict, the Soviet Union’s collapse, and a newfound independence have led to economic crisis. Thousands still live in metal “domiks”, iron containers used for temporary earthquake relief, which act like refrigerators in the winter; and boilers in the summer. Habitat for Humanity Armenia has been working with families in need since 2000, and provided homes for more than 1,000 people.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga., is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than one million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.
Comment by Onnik — September 4, 2006 @ 9:48 am