The Avanesyans, a displaced family from Artsakh, celebrated a housewarming in Ararat region. It is now symbolic for the Avanesyans, who have gone through war and hardships, to celebrate housewarming and host guests in their new home on the eve of the New Year. The current result of the partnership is a report for Viva-MTS and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia, whereas, for the families, it’s an immense support. Striving to get rid of hard memories, the Avanesyans found a refuge in the village of Hayanist with new hopes and dreams.
Although their life was not the easiest one, Arthur, the young homeowner finds it unacceptable to show weakness of will. He recalls that in 1995 he was only seven when his parents moved to live in Artsakh. He grew up there, built a home, and formed his family. Due to the recent war Arthur’s family has lost everything and has returned. The young family could only afford to purchase a semi-built building for the completion of which the partnering organizations, Viva-MTS and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia gave a hand-up.
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“The loss is unbelievably difficult; however, we do not have the right to despair. Our children ought not to see us broken. Probably, we have an inexplicable will, strength, and perseverance to create anew and deepen the new roots. Particularly, when you are given a hand-up when you experience hardships, you understand that you are not alone, and everything is still ahead. Thank you for giving us that feeling!” said Arthur.
“The developments in recent years, the COVID and the war, forced us to act with more flexibility and be prepared to solutions, which are more typical of crisis situations. Our partners and we did our best in the outgoing year to lend a helping hand to families, who have lost their homes at war, or those who have moved from Artsakh renting houses in the regions of Armenia. The other group, the socially vulnerable families, remains within the focus of our attention. The methods of work have changed, but we have remained adamant in our principle and the construction works in the regions have been continued. I want to believe that all the families have meanwhile gained faith and that their hope gets stronger with every brick laid,” Viva-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian said.
“Hard times have befallen us all and especially these families who have lost what they have created in a lifetime. The least we can do for these families is to be next to them in difficult times and to support them with actions,” said Ashot Yeghiazaryan, the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia President.
This year, only in Ararat region, five families displaced from Artsakh have been supported. The visits of the partnering organizations in this region will continue. Owing to the housing project being implemented in all the regions of Armenia, Viva-MTS has invested over AMD 230 mln as a result of which 87 families have been assisted.
Viva-MTS (MTS Armenia CJSC) is Armenia’s leading telecommunications operator, having the widest network reach and spreading a wide range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best of the Armenian people at heart since its launch on 1st July 2005 and in a short period of time Viva-MTS has managed to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. Viva-MTS drives innovation and aims at always being at the forefront of any development serving the Armenian mobile communications market. The company follows the guidance provided by ISO 26000 (International Standard of Social Responsibility), ISO/IEC 27001:2013 (Information Security Management System) and ISO 37001 (International anti-bribery management systems standard).
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC (“MTS”) is the leading telecommunications group in Russia and the CIS, offering mobile and fixed voice, broadband, pay TV as well as content and entertainment services in one of the world’s fastest growing regions. Including its subsidiaries, the Group services over 86 million mobile subscribers in Russia, Armenia and Belarus. Since June Y2000, MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol MBT). Additional information about the MTS Group can be found at: www.mtsgsm.com
Fuller Center for Housing Armenia is a non-governmental, charitable organization that supports community development in the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh by assisting in building and renovating simple, decent and affordable homes, as well as advocating the right to a decent shelter as a matter of conscience and action. FCHA provides long-term, interest-free loans to low-income families. The monthly repayments flow into a Revolving Fund, which is used to help more families, thereby providing a financial foundation for sustainable development. Since 2008 the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia has assisted over 1140 families. For more information, please visit www.fcharmenia.org or email us at [email protected]