VivaCell General Manager Ralph Yirikian (center) with the Muradyan family

YERVANDASHAT, Armenia—On the International Day of Families VivaCell-MTS volunteer staff members together with the General Manager, Ralph Yirikian, and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia team joined in a home-build in the village of Yervandashat, Armavir region, helping build the home of the Muradyan family in need of decent housing.

It is already 64 years the Muradyans have been living in Yervandashat. The family father Hakob’s parents have brought up their 5 children in a building that used to serve as a kindergarten and needed renovation. Later their 5 children, some of them already with their own families, have also had to live together under one roof. In 1992 the political and economic situation in the country worsened, and their dream of having a home remained unaccomplished. In 2005 they started the construction of a new house but were unable to finish it. Unfortunately in 2013 Hakob’s father passed away of a heart attack not being able to see the completed house.

Now owing to the partnership between VivaCell-MTS and Fuller Center for Housing Armenia the family will complete the construction of its house this year.

Building decent housing gives a great opportunity to stress the core importance of each family in our society. This program which is aimed at helping the families living in the borderland villages of Armenia is a stimulus for having a strong country.

“Our country is powerful with its families ready to face hardships, unshakable and tied with strong bonds of kinship. Today you are also border guards, you take the hardest responsibility of being residents of a border community. We are by your side as we want to see you even stronger and we believe that any problem can be solved, when there is hope, faith and willingness to overcome the difficulties,” VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian said.

“Building together and helping the families in need has become a cherished tradition for both organisations, a tradition that solves vital problems. With this new project the vital importance is doubled as it is an investment not only in the protection and development of Armenian communities but also in fostering the security of the country borders,’’ Ashot Yeghiazaryan, the president of the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia stated.

VivaCell General Manager Ralph Yirikian helps with the construction of a home for the Muradyan family

To remind, a month earlier, in the borderland village of Vazashen, Tavush region, VivaCell-MTS and Fuller Center for Housing Armenia marked the official launch of the new project sponsored by VivaCell-MTS addressed to assisting 25 low income families from bordering villages of Tavush and Armavir regions to build and renovate their homes.

The International Day of Families is observed on the 15th of May every year. The Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993. The International Day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.

VivaCell-MTS (K-Telecom CJSC) is Armenia’s leading mobile operator, having the widest 2G/3.75G/4G network reach and spreading a wide range of voice and data services all across Armenia. Having the best of the Armenian people’s interest at heart since its launch on 1st July 2005 and in a short period of time VivaCell-MTS has managed to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. VivaCell-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). For more information, visit www.mts.am

Fuller Center for Housing Armenia is a non-governmental, charitable organisation 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 community development. In its five years of operation, the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia has assisted 286 families. For more information, please visit www.fullercenterarmenia.org or email us at fcarmenia@fullercenterarmenia.org