Orange Foundation implements new community development projects in Gegharkunik region

Orange Foundation started new community development projects in Gegharkunik region.

Orange press service reports that a number of initiatives are now taken in Gegharkunik, which representatives of the Foundation have visited to conclude the results of “Lunettes pour l’Armenie” program, dedicated to children open an Integrated Development and Rehabilitation Center in Vardenis town and a computer center in Akounk village.

Within “Lunettes pour l’Armenie” program, free of charge eye screenings have been performed for 6200 children of Gegharkunik region, including Vardenis town and 32 communities. The program, founded by “Union Médicale Arménienne de France de Paris” (UMAF) and by Orange Foundation, aims at early identification and prevention of sight issues of the children. Within the project, special eye screening trainings for local nurses were organized and performed by the specialists of UMAF. After examinations,  407 specialized examinations have been performed and 241 individualized glasses made and distributed by ophthalmologists of UMAF.

 “Orange Foundation attaches a lot of importance to supporting children and people with disabilities. Already for 4 years, together with our partners, we implement the mobile hospital eye care project, in the frame of which more than 50’000  inhabitants of 9 regions  have received free of charge eye care services and treatment”, said Francis Gelibter Chairman of the Board of Orange Armenia Foundation.

““Union Médicale Arménienne de France de Paris” has implemented “Lunettes pour l’Armenie” project since 2004. This year we have joint our efforts with Orange Foundation concentrating on Vardenis and 32 communities of Gegharkunik region. Apart from examining the children and providing individualized eyeglasses produced on place by our specialists, we have as well trained the local personnel so they can carry on with the periodic checkups and eye screenings of the inhabitants of Gegharkunik region” said Dr Léon Artinian, project manager of “Lunettes pour l’Armenie” .

During their visit to Vardenis, representative of the Orange  Foundation have  inaugurated an Integrated Development and Rehabilitation Center, equipped with special sports facilities, teaching tools, games as well as computers and Orange internet connection. The Center will enable local population, including around 180 children and young adults with disabilities, to have individual training with the help of field specialists, to improve their health and support the education process as well as get professional/vocational education.. The center has been opened in partnership with “Astghavard” Disabled children parents NGO.

On the same day, representatives of Orange Foundation also visited Akounk village, where a community computer room has been equipped in partnership with Shen NGO. The newly opened center is equipped with Orange MyFi 3G router, which allows up to 21.6Mbps download speed, as well as computers, printer and furniture. Special educational computer courses will be provided to further promote the use of Internet and make Internet services more available for the inhabitants of the village.  It is already the 23rd  computer rooms established in different rural communities.