John Heffern attends preschool renovation ceremony

On December 1, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John A. Heffern and Armenian officials and guests participated in the opening ceremony of the newly renovated kitchen and sanitary facilities in kindergartens in the Kanaker-Zeytun (No.161) and Achapnyak (No. 46) districts of Yerevan. The USG-supported renovation projects were implemented by International Relief and Development (IRD).

The preschools were constructed in the 1970s and had fallen into disrepair. Over a three-month period, IRD implemented the two renovation projects with support from the U.S. Department of State and co-funding from the Church of Latter-day Saint Charities.
The Kanaker-Zeytun Community Governor’s contribution to the project supported purchase of a large electrical range for the kitchen. The renovation project addressed important humanitarian needs and improved food hygiene and sanitary conditions for the preschools՛ children. IRD also provided clothes, quilts, and school supplies to the children.

Since 1992, the U.S. Department of State has been providing humanitarian assistance throughout the region through projects known collectively as Operation Provide Hope (OPH). To date, assistance valued at USD $405 million has been directed to Armenia through OPH to benefit needy populations including the elderly, disabled, orphans, children, and victims of disaster.