OCTOBER 2010
Pambak village of Gegharkunik marz inhabited by refugees is one of those communities where Shen is applying the model of integrated community development, the viability of which is of no doubt even today.

On the 26th of October the official opening ceremony of the drinking pipeline of Pambak village was held with the participation of the Head of the Gegharkunik diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Bishop Mark Hovhannisyan, benefactors from Canada’ representatives of Yalkezian foundation Mr Joe Yalkezian and Mr Vahram Pirjanian, representatives of Shen NGO and the population of the village. 

Citizens of this village which resettled in Armenia around 20 years ago had water in their houses for the first time. Underlining the importance of this event the village Council appointed V. Poghosyan as a responsible person who would monitor the regular distribution of water to the citizens.

Within the scope of planned visits the guests also visited the kindergarten which was opened around half a year ago. The villagers expressed their amazement and satisfaction of the accomplished works particularly of the activities of the kindergarten. The director of the kindergarten S. Martirosyan assured that the number of the children attending the kindergarten would grow in the nearest future.

The community pleasantly surprised its guests. Regular waste collections have started in the community with a responsible person assigned. The results of this expected initiative are already noteworthy.

Pambak: How a small village can achieve great things, with the right help.
by Sophie Yalkezian

The roads in the village of Pambak, Armenia, are made of rocks – big and jagged rocks that have been pressed into the ground to form a path. But each one rises from the earth, jutting out like the bone of a broken joint. The only way a car can drive over them is at the pace of an insect, crawling along and swerving every few seconds to avoid a pothole. Read more...

JULY 2010
On the 28th of July the official opening ceremony of the kindergarten in refugee-populated Pambak village of Gegharkunik marz was held. In agreement with marz and community administrations the Yalkezian Foundation - thanks to the private donation of Pirjanyan family (Canada) - together with Shen furnished some area in the school building to be used as a kindergarten for 50 children. An area of 400 sq. m is now given for exploitation now, where there are 4 children rooms, a hall, a study, a kitchen and a bathroom.

The family of Pirjanyans-Mr and Mrs Vahram and Sona Pirjanyans - was present at the opening ceremony, as well as other guests from Canada, head of Gegharkunik marz administration Mr Never Poghosyan, village members, 25 children who will be attending the kindergarten for the first time on September 1.

Village council presented a written certificate to the donors stating that all further activities of the kindergarten would be funded by the community.

JUNE 2010
Mother nature keeps apricots away from Shen-founded orchard
By Sophie Yalkezian

Roughly a dozen people have gathered among the leafy apricot trees of an organic orchard in Lusakn, Armenia. Their shoes balance on tall, untamed grass, as they stop in front of a small cement hut with what looks like a giant funnel coming out of its roof. They cover their ears, waiting for a loud noise to erupt before them. Looking around, this group includes representation from many nations around the world: Germany, Georgia, France, and (yours truly) Canada. This group has been brought together by Shen, the Armenian NGO that first founded the orchard.

The large machine is actually an Armenian invention. It prevents hail from getting to a tree’s blossoms by emitting sound waves strong enough to shake particles and prevent them from crystallizing. Without any crystallized particles, there can be no hail - only rain or snow.
Read more...