On November 03, 2010, the USAID-funded Small Scale Infrastructure Program (SSIP), implemented by Cooperative Housing Foundation International (CHF) and Shen NGO, marked the completion of renovation works at the Vahan village kindergarten in Gegharqunik province, now allowing 40 children of the community to get proper preschool education in the village (not far from the Armenian-Azerbaijani border).

The ceremony was attended by Governor of Gegharqunik Nver Poghosyan, USAID/Armenia Acting Program Officer Sheryl Grossman, Mayor of Vahan Gourgen Balyan, representatives of USAID, CHF, Shen NGO and the community, USAID reported.

Thanks to the SSIP project, 17 people from the community acquired short-term employment for a total of 1395 labor days, and 7 people will receive permanent jobs in the kindergarten in the capacity of director, accountant, teachers, kitchen staff, and cleaners.

By the end of this year, SSIP will renovate 48 additional priority gas and water systems, sports halls and kindergartens across Armenia.  USAID has especially focused on rural communities, which suffer not only from a lack of jobs, but also from a lack of services. The Vahan kindergarten rehabilitation project is the first in Gegharqunik marz SSIP completed in 2010.  SSIP is also implementing potable water system rehabilitation in the villages of Antarametch, Kalavan, Mets Masrik, renovation of community centers in Avazan, Dprabak, Getik, Torfavan, and reconstruction of the bridge in Ttoujour and the external lighting in Pampak.