Shahumyan, Lori region - On August 29, the USAID-funded Small Scale Infrastructure Program (SSIP), implemented by the Cooperative Housing Foundation International (CHF) and its partner Shen NGO, marked the renovation of the Shahumyan Community Center in the Lori region. The Governor of Lori Arthur Nalbandyan, USAID Armenia Mission Director Jatinder Cheema, Mayor of Shahumyan Edik Manukyan, Director of Shen NGO Hayk Minasyan, CHF/Armenia Country Deputy Director Magda Avetisyan, representatives of the USAID Mission, implementing partners and the village community attended the event. The Community Center occupies part of the ground floor of a five-story residential building, constructed in 1978. The Center suffered damages in the aftermath of the 1988 earthquake and was eventually closed down. The Center, which had not been in use for over 20 years, required a complete renovation. CHF replaced the doors, windows, and flooring, plastered and painted the walls, and renovated the restrooms. The total area renovated was 180 square meters. The community center is now operational and will host a library, chess-room, computer-room, recreation room and management office. The village community will now have a common meeting place to discuss and resolve community issues. “With this renovation, the community will be able to enjoy the internet, the library, chess room and recreation room as part of their quality daily spare time.” stressed Jatinder Cheema, PhD in her inaugural speech. The local government will be responsible for furnishing, equipping, protecting and maintaining the center as well as hiring at least three employees for its daily operations. The village administration together with the Community Action Group is in the process of identifying additional resources to provide essential furniture and equipment for the center. The renovation project of the Community Center provided short-term employment to five people from the community. The USAID/Armenia Mission Director noted that apart from the Shahumyan community center renovation project, USAID’s efforts in the Lori region also include the renovation of a kindergarten in Haghpat, a gas distribution system in Ayroum, and the implementation of water distribution systems in Lernantsk, Artsni and Lori Berd. On a country-wide scale, by November 2011 the program expects to have completed 58 infrastructure projects and will have provided more than 47,000 days of employment. In addition, 800 Armenians will have obtained short-term employment, and over 140 persons will have gained permanent employment at facilities rehabilitated by SSIP. # # # In response to the global economic crisis, the USAID-funded Small Scale Infrastructure Program (SSIP) was designed to support job creation in increasingly poor and vulnerable rural communities through small-scale, labor-intensive infrastructure projects in close collaboration with the Government of Armenia, local organizations, and communities. The mission of the Cooperative Housing Foundation is to support the development of low-income communities in the world. Starting from 1952, the Cooperative Housing Foundation is working in more than 100 countries and currently implements projects in more than 30 countries. For additional information on Cooperative Housing Foundation projects in Armenia, please contact Yerevan office (010) 229778, 329778 or 21 00 15 or e-mail to [email protected]

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