COAF, VivaCell Renovate Elementary Wing in Arteni School

ARTENI, Armenia—On Thurs., Jan. 22, schoolchildren, parents, and faculty in the village of Arteni celebrated the reopening of their school’s elementary wing, which had fallen in disrepair over the years, forcing the school children to attend classes in unfavorable conditions. Through the generosity of longtime Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) supporters Noubar and Anna Afeyan, the wing recently underwent an extensive capital renovation.

One of the highlights of the new wing is an innovative technology-enhanced Creativity Lab sponsored by VivaCell-MTS. The Creativity Lab features a smart board, modern computers, as well as mobile furniture adaptable for working individually, or in small or large groups. The lab provides a multifunctional environment fit for classes, training sessions, lectures, reading, discussions, projects, games, performances, and fun.

VivaCell-MTS’s general manager, Ralph Yirikian, personally attended the opening of the Creativity Lab and was greeted by children lined up in the renovated hallways singing songs. “By providing the village school with innovative tools encouraging creativity, we want to help them discover and develop skills and knowledge,” said Yirikian. “We have to raise a knowledgeable generation, and in this regard it’s very important to ensure that there is no gap between village and city schools.”

The elementary wing also features four renovated classrooms, hallways, and a tooth-brushing station called a Brushodrome. Starting this month, close to 100 elementary schoolchildren and 15 primary school teachers will enjoy the safe and nurturing classroom conditions and benefit from a learning environment equipped with bright classrooms, indoor lavatories and running water, and a central heating system.

The Arteni School is COAF’s 7^th rural school and 18^th building to have undergone capital renovation since 2004. It is the second Creativity Lab established as part of the COAF-VivaCell partnership; the first was launched in September 2013 in the Sardarapat community located in the Armavir region.

“The concept of Creativity Labs was first introduced in Armenia by COAF and has been widely acclaimed as a cutting-edge means of providing an optimal learning and creative environment,” said Anoush Yedigaryan, COAF’s executive director. “Given the need in Arteni, we decided to build on this cooperation with our partner VivaCell-MTS and capitally renovate the elementary school wing. … The newly opened Creativity Lab and Elementary School wing will provide contemporary educational opportunities to the younger generation.”