Welcome...
...to the website of Habitat for
Humanity Armenia, your source for information about all of Habitat for
Humanity's activities in Armenia, where about 40 percent of the people
live in inadequate shelter.
Check back frequently for updated
news about new building and renovation projects, Global Village volunteer
team opportunities and more.
Get involved and help Habitat for
Humanity help more families help themselves!
Thanks to the support of our local corporate partners,
HFH Armenia will be able to raise funds and awareness of its activities
locally. |
News & Events
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Habitat for Humanity Armenia served a record 2500 families in Armenia
Habitat for Humanity served a record 94,618 families through new home construction, rehabilitation and repairs in
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fiscal year 2012 (July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012), breaking the previous fiscal year’s record by more than 13,000 families. This equates to a family improving their living conditions on average every five-and-a-half minutes in one of the nearly 80 countries around the world where Habitat works.
Habitat for Humanity helped an additional 3,321 families establish legal rights to a house or land, and provided 119,068 individuals with construction technical assistance and financial literacy training.
Being part of this global mission Habitat for Humanity Armenia served a record 1451 families through rehabilitation and repairs in 2012 breaking the previous year’s record by more than 1225 families. In addition to housing construction efforts, Habitat for Humanity Armenia provided an additional 283 people with technical assistance, including financial literacy training and construction advice and training. read more...
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Social Service Conference and Exhibition
On November 5, 2012 Habitat for Humanity Armenia attended a national conference dedicated to the Social Worker’s Day in Armenia.
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The conference was launched by “Harmonic Society” Armenian Association of Social Workers (AASW) jointly with the Yerevan State University, Faculty of Sociology, Department of Social Work & Social Technologies and World Vision-Armenia in close cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Issues.
Around 200 specialists of social sphere, senior government officials, and National Assembly, policy and decision makers attended the conference.
Habitat Armenia simultaneously participated in the exhibition of social services provided within the entire Armenia aiming to encourage co-operation & networking between social services, stir up a professional discussion and have an exchange of advanced practices from each other.
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The renovation of common use premises in multi-apartment buildings in Vanadzor proceeds
Within the framework of the renovation project of common use premises in multi-apartment
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buildings the roof renovation of the second building has already started in the Vanadzor city. Habitat for Humanity Armenia Foundation, together with Inecobank CJSC is implementing a two-year repair project of apartment buildings, the aim of which is to help 200 families living in apartment buildings to repair common use premises including roofs, entrances, water pipes, elevators, as well as ensure heat isolation of the buildings.
The pilot project launched in Vanadzor city of Lori region in July 2011, apartment buildings of which have abundant issues relating to conditions of common use premises.
The project is implemented in close cooperation with Vanadzor municipality, and as a result the latter provides 40% subsidy.
Habitat for Humanity Armenia plans to expand the scope of the project throughout Armenia by implementing it in all regions of RA.
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Developing Partnership between Armenian Diaspora and Habitat for Humanity Armenia
Habitat for Humanity Armenia’s Executive Director Luiza Vardanyan and Resource |
Development Manager Seda Arzumanyan are visiting USA (California and Michigan) from October 14-28, 2012 to hold and participate in various events and meetings with the representatives of Armenian community and the churches in order to create and develop fruitful partnership.
Habitat Armenia representatives started the campaign in California and held a Reception “New Hope through Homes in Armenia and Glendale”, which took place on October 16, 2012.
Within the framework of their visit Habitat Armenia’s representatives acquainted Southern California Affiliates Association, Glendale City Council and Housing Authority of Glendale City with Habitat Armenia’s projects and future plans.
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Habitat for Humanity Armenia to commemorate World Habitat Day on Oct. 1
In observance of World Habitat Day, Habitat for Humanity is hosting hundreds of global events to take action and help |
raise awareness about the issue of poverty housing in communities and the need for decent housing around the world. World Habitat Day, marked this year on Oct. 1, is designated by the United Nations as a time to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right to adequate shelter of all people.
“From our own observations we can voice that almost every second family in rural area lives in housing need” said Luiza Vardanyan, ED of Habitat for Humanity Armenia. “Habitat Armenia has a goal to serve 960 families during FY 2013”.
This year, Habitat for Humanity Armenia is urging supporters to go online and donate to Habitat for Humanity Armenia through this link www.habitat.org/donate/armenia.. This virtual petition calls on key decision-makers to commit to recognizing the role of housing in communities, making affordable, adequate housing a priority and changing the systems and policies that lead to poverty housing.
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Residents of Chukhajyan 5 building in Vanadzor mark the completion of roof repairs
On August 17, 2012 the residents of the apartment building situated at Chukhajyan 5 Street of Vanadzor city |
celebrated the completion of roof repairs of the building.Habitat for Humanity Armenia Foundation, together with Inecobank CJSC is implementing a two-year repair project of apartment buildings, launched in July 2011. The aim of the project is to help some 200 families living in apartment buildings to repaircommon use premises and utility systems of their buildings, including roofs, entrances, water pipes, elevators, as well as ensure heat isolation of the buildings.
The pilot project launched in Vanadzor city of Lori marz, apartment buildings of which have abundant issues relating to conditions of common use premises.
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Global Village international volunteers supported another family in Gegharkunik region to improve their living conditions
Within the scopes of the GV program Habitat for Humanity |
program Habitat for Humanity Armenia hosted the second GV team of volunteers in Gegharkunik region. Ten GV volunteers who had arrived from different states of America worked hand-in-hand with Hakob Tonoyan’s family in Gavar city of Gegharkunik region. Thanks to the partnership with Habitat for Humanity Armenia Hakob’s family was enabled to complete the renovation of their home.
“It is hard to find words that can describe how truly amazing the experience of Habitat for Humanity Armenia has been. From start to finish, this fast-paced, well-organized, culturally diverse program provided my team and me with an unforgettable experience. read more... |
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HFH Armenia hosted a Global Village team of volunteers in Gegharkunik region
In July 2012 Habitat Armenia hosted a Global Village team of international volunteers in |
Gegharkunik region. Ten GV volunteers of Peace Build team led by Rosalind Harber joined Habitat Armenia's mission and enthusiastically worked hand-in-hand with Seda Babayan's family in Ltchashen village, Gegharkunik region for a week. Thanks to the partnership with Habitat Armenia the family was enabled to complete the renovation of their home.
"We are grateful to Habitat Armenia and the partner family for their warm welcome and hospitality. Armenia is a very beautiful country and within this short period we have learned a lot about it interacting with Habitat partner families. We are very happy to have a chance to help this family and we hope Habitat Armenia will expand the project in Gegharkunik region," says Rosalind Harber, Peace Build team leader.read more... |
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Habitat for Humanity Armenia and Inecobank signed
a loan agreement of 11 million AMD to support 200 low-income
families in multi-apartment buildings |
Following the partnership principles and goals defined by
the Memorandum of Understanding, signed on 15 July, 2011 between
Habitat for Humanity Armenia Foundation and Inecobank CJSC,
the partners started a 2-year joint project in July 2011,
addressing poverty housing by contributing to the improvement
of living conditions of low-income families living in condominium
buildings.
On April 10, 2012 a Loan Agreement was signed between the Parties according to which Inecobank CJSC receives AMD 11,000 loan common area revitalization and building stabilization activities in the condominium buildings. The project will be done through the introduction of a renovation loan product that will allow families to improve their living conditions. Overall the project aims to support 200 low-income families by improving the common areas of multi-apartments buildings. As a beginning, roof renovations of 2 apartment buildings have started in the city of Vanadzor.
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Reducing Disaster Risks and Improving Responses in Europe and Central Asia
Supporting families affected by disasters requires immediate, comprehensive and collaborative
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actions. Long after humanitarian aid organizations have completed their relief work, the need for quality shelter and housing remains for months and years.
Habitat’s Disaster Response program focuses on the housing needs that arise from natural disasters and humanitarian emergency conflicts. At the same time, through the design and implementation of adaptation mechanisms, communities can tackle predictable disasters and better cope with the impact of climate change. Habitat integrates disaster risk reduction initiatives into its shelter, housing and settlement program platforms.
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On March 30, 2012 Habitat Armenia hosted its first Global Village team of volunteers and announced opening of 2012 construction season.
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The volunteers were students of American school of Dubai who had come to extend a hand up to another Armenian family in desperate need of a decent and affordable shelter. For 10 days the volunteers built hand in hand with our partner family in Vazashen village, Tavush region and made a great difference in the life of Rayisa Bozinyan’s family.
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Habitat for Humanity helped more than 81,000 low-income families around the world with new or improved housing in 2011
Habitat for Humanity helped 81,399 families improve their
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shelter conditions through newconstruction, rehabilitation and repairs during its 2011 fiscal year (July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011) in nearly 80 countries around the world. This breaks Habitat’s previous record set in the last fiscal year of 74,960 families served.
Habitat for Humanity Armenia is part of this global effort. During calendar year 2011, Habitat for Humanity Armenia has reconstructed and repaired 226 houses in partnerships with low-income families.
“In 2012 HFH Armenia has committed to serve 600 low-income families through diversifying and scaling up current projects and establishing new partnerships,” says Luiza Vardanyan, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Armenia. read more...
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Habitat for Humanity Armenia thanks 800 volunteers
Today, on the International Volunteer Day, Habitat for Humanity Armenia thanks the 800 volunteers that have helped more than
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850 low-income families secure safe and decent homes.
“Habitat's approach to helping homeowners is a clever idea tailored to reality. Habitat provides professional supervision to secure the quality of work, as well as groups of (unskilled) volunteers, local and foreign, for help at various stages of the construction until the job is done. This way of helping sets the stage for the spirit that we all enjoyed so much on the job site. We worked a few sweats, but it was fun and unforgettable, every moment of it. Thank you Habitat for Humanity for a once-in-a-lifetime, priceless experience,” said Frans van Rossum, one of HFH Armenia international volunteers.
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Habitat for Humanity encourages community members to participate in the solution of their own housing problems.
To celebrate World Habitat Day, staff members of Aknaghbyur
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village municipality of Tavush region, representatives of Armenian Apostolic church of Tavush diocese, as well as international volunteers from different countries and members of the community joined Habitat for Humanity Armenia staff to take part in "Faith Build" as a volunteer in order to improve housing conditions of the Arzumanyan family, dwellers of Aknaghbyur village of Tavush region.
"Through this event we would like to speak out and highlight housing problems of Tavush region and draw attention of the community's crucial people-local authorities, church, community members and donors-to the improvement of housing conditions preaching the idea each family/child has the right to live in a simple, decent and affordable home," said Luiza Vardanyan, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Armenia.
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Habitat for Humanity Armenia joins worldwide celebration of 500,000th/500,001st milestone houses as part of World Habitat Day events on Oct. 3
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Habitat for Humanity will mark a major milestone Oct. 3 when it dedicates its 500,000th house in Maai Mahiu, Kenya, and begins construction on its 500,001st house in Paterson, N.J. Volunteers and homeowners from Habitat for Humanity Armenia will join in celebrating the milestones as part of events being held worldwide to mark World Habitat Day.
Habitat for Humanity Armenia is among the more than 2,300 Habitat affiliates worldwide that have made this milestone possible, having built and renovated more than 750 houses since its founding in 2000.
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Chairman of Habitat for Humanity International’s board of directors visited Armenia
Chairman of Habitat for Humanity International’s board
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of directors Ken Klein visited Armenia to learn about Habitat programs and explore opportunities to deliver simple and decent housing for low-income families in the country. Habitat’s delegation met with Armenian officials and church representatives to discuss common ground for cooperation.
The visit started with a liturgy at Echmiadzin and a meeting with leader of the Armenian Church His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. His Holiness Karekin II personally spearheaded efforts to construct 37 homes across Armenia, giving witness to the ancient Armenian tradition of charity, volunteerism and social concern as part of the Catholicos Build in 2007. Karekin II wanted to learn about Habitat’s repair and renovation projects and showed interest in organizing a visit to the partner families to see the impact on communities.
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New partnership of “Kamurj” UCO with Habitat for Humanity Armenia
Housing Microfinance for Low-Income Families in Armenia
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Following the partnership principles and goals defined by the Memorandum of Understanding, signed on March 1, 2011 between Habitat for Humanity Armenia Foundation and Kamurj UCO LLC, the Partners finally started a 6.5-year joint project addressing poverty housing by contributing to the improvement of living conditions of low-income families residing in rural and urban areas of the Republic of Armenia. The project will bring together significant resources and strengths of both Parties. On June 30, 2011 a Loan Agreement was signed between the Parties according to which Kamurj UCO receives EUR480,000 loan to initiate a new – housing microfinance service provision for low-income families throughout Armenia. In addition, during the second year of the project implementation, Kamurj UCO will contribute at least EUR60,000 to expand the scale of the new initiative. According to the objectives of the project, Kamurj UCO will provide house-improvement loans to around 2,000 low-income families.
Both Parties believe that this is the initial step and starting platform for the cooperation, while the actual scale and the positive impact of the project will eventually grow through bringing additional technical and financial resources, as well as by expanding the target group. |
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Global Village volunteers help to revive Tavush region
On May 30 2011, Habitat Armenia welcomed its first Global Village team for the building season 2011.The team of ten members, led by John Roe, came |
from Canada to build hand-in-hand with our partner families in Tavush region.
The launch of the construction works was started with Alibek Babayan’s home blessing ceremony held by the representatives of Ijevan diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church.
This year Habitat for Humanity Armenia will host 3 more Global Village teams who will be working in different communities of Tavush region and Nor Kharberd community of Ararat region.
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Housing in Europe and Central Asia needs to change from finance and profit to human rights and needs
To provide sustainable and affordable housing solutions in
the region, policies should pursue |
people-centered models that focus on the importance of housing
to development, declare four international organizations at
the end of the first Housing Forum for Europe and Central
Asia.
Housing should be about need and social engagement. During recent years, housing and housing-related risks have increased. However, available solutions still heavily depend on the developers and financial institutions which have the power to influence housing policies. To provide sustainable models, the housing agenda needs to focus on people and their needs and look at housing as a fundamental human right.
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First Housing Forum opens to look into affordable and sustainable housing for Europe and Central Asia
Four organizations hold the first housing forum in the region
to explore and share solutions that |
address the urgent explore and share solutions that address the urgent and widespread problem of substandard housing.
The world economy cannot recover without a turnaround in housing. While the global economic crisis has challenged a popular house-for-everyone model, housing still affects just about every aspect of human existence. Recent research shows that stable and affordable housing is central to education, health, employment, and economic development. Housing is important in creating social mobility and economic growth.
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Representatives from Habitat for Humanity Armenia attended national conference
‘What Will You Build?’ conference aimed to equip Habitat affiliate leadership and staff to fulfill Habitat’s mission
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Yerevan, Armenia (March 28, 2011) – Seda Arzumanyan, Resource Development Manager of Habitat for Humanity Armenia was among 2,000 participants from the U.S. and around the world that attended Habitat for Humanity International’s national conference March 23-25. The theme of this year’s national conference was “What Will You Build?”
Habitat for Humanity Armenia took part in this year’s conference to learn more about maximizing its efforts to serve more families in need and revitalize neighborhoods.
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World Habitat Day event
We are happy to inform you that Habitat for Humanity Armenia
initiates a one-day build event on 3 October 2011, which
is dedicated to the World Habitat Day. Another five low-income
families of Tavush marz will be involved in the HFH Armenia
programs and will be able to improve their housing conditions.
Join to our event and make difference! |
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Habitat for Humanity reaches milestone: 400,000 homes built or repaired since 1976
More than 2 million people around the world served through better housing
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Habitat for Humanity surpassed its 400,000 house milestone during its most recent fiscal year. Since the nonprofit organization was founded in 1976, its self-help, hand-up model has resulted in rehabbed, repaired or new housing for more than 2 million people worldwide.
Habitat for Humanity Armenia is part of this global effort. Since 2000 Habitat for Humanity has built, rehabbed or repaired more than 590 houses in Armenia.
After nearly eight years of work in Armenia, Habitat for Humanity relaunched its country organization in June 2008 to serve more low-income families at an exponentially faster rate, and to become an advocate for better housing policies and practices aimed at those living in indecent housing conditions.
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Armenia Housing Study: Socially vulnerable groups in Armenia lack access to decent housing
An influx of refugees after the conflict over Nagrono Karabakh in the late 80s and early 90s and
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the devastating 1988 earthquake that rendered 17 percent of the housing stock uninhabitable affected the housing situation in Armenia. At the same time, since independence, the government of Armenia has not yet developed a comprehensive national strategy to address housing problems effectively. Almost 20 years after, many families are still staying in temporary shelters and lack proper homes.
These are some of the conclusions drawn by the Armenian Housing Study, commissioned by Habitat for Humanity and prepared by the experts of the Urban Foundation for Sustainable Development.
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10th
Anniversary of Habitat for Humanity`s operation in Armenia
Fundraising Jazz Dinner
On Nov 26, 2010, in "Tigran Mets" hall of Marriott hotel,
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Habitat for Humanity Armenia has initiated Fundraising Jazz Dinner which was dedicated to the 10th Anniversary of Habitat for Humanity`s operation in Armenia. In the result of 10 years` active functioning, Habitat Armenia has served more than 600 families to improve their housing conditions and currently about 1200 children live in simple, decent and affordable homes.
The event was featured Malkhas Jazz Band headed by maestro Levon Malkhasyan with their wonderful art. Around 100 representatives of the government, international and local organizations, as well as embassies and consulates located in Armenia joined to the event.
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Juniata College Celebrates World Habitat Day
On Monday, October 11th Juniata College's Habitat for Humanity chapter celebrated a belated World Habitat Day. |
The club, along with a number of other Juniata College clubs, hosted a movie related to global awareness.
Prior to the film, students that had traveled to Armenia last
May during a Habitat Global Village trip gave a presentation.
A brief description of Armenia was shared with U.S. students,
as was an overview of the work that Juniata students and local
Armenian habitat volunteers did in Nor Kharberd village. The
event provided an outlet for the Juniata College community
to share conversations about Armenia, global housing needs,
and the benefits of service. |
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Habitat for Humanity on a mission to revive Spitak
On World Habitat Day, designated by the United Nations to
draw attention to the world's tremendous housing need, Habitat |
Armenia joined a larger family of Habitat for Humanity around
the world to fight poverty housing and homelessness through
actions. This year, Habitat for Humanity Armenia celebrated
the day by plastering and painting walls in Sergo Ghazaryan's
house in Spitak. City mayor of Spitak, representatives of
the state urban ministry and partner organizations and students
from the Armenian national lyceum of Anania Shirakatsi joined
Habitat to volunteer at the event.
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Thrivent Financial
for Lutherans builds with Habitat Armenia
Habitat Armenia was inspired to welcome its first corporate team on September 12-22 2010. |
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The volunteers from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans joined efforts to build hand-in hand with Nahapet Davtyan's family in the village of Nor Kharberd. "I consider myself truly blessed to have had the experiences and opportunities I had while working with the Thrivent Builds programs and will be forever committed to helping families achieve their dreams of owning a home," says Vicki Mai, the team leader. |
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Habitat Armenia participates in the event of Civil Society Day 2010
On September 19 2010 Habitat for Humanity Armenia participated in Civil Society Day |
which is an annual
event aimed at promoting Civil Society Concept among population
and bring more attention and participation to Civil Society
development. The event was organized by joint efforts of CDPF,
World Vision, USA Peace Corps, Jinishian Foundation, UN and
other partner organizations. The Civil Society Day 2010 was
dedicated to volunteerism, aiming to raise awareness of usual
people on volunteerism concept and promote their involvement
as volunteers.
Habitat Armenia presented pictures and other communication
materials that demonstrate international and local volunteers’
involvement in the construction, thus encouraging a lot of
people to volunteer with Habitat. |
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The U.S. Ambassador
to Armenia builds with Habitat in Nor Kharberd
On September 10, 2010 U.S. Ambassador to Armenia
Marie L. Yovanovitch participated in a |
one-day Habitat for
Humanity build alongside a team of U.S. diplomatic mission
employees, Habitat for Humanity Armenia staff, and local families
and volunteers. This public service action was part of the
U.S. Embassy’s commemoration of the events of September 11,
2001.
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Habitat Armenia and Nor Horizon lending partnership provides
35 families in Spitak with decent homes. |
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