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23.06.2010 15:46
 Today the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Armenia, representatives of the Japanese Embassy in Moscow, Armenian Social Investment Fund (ASIF), Government of Armenia, Syunik Marzpetaran and the community of Ishkhanasar, marked World Refugee Day and inaugurated a school, constructed for refugee and local children in Ishkhanasar village of Syunik marz.
Owing to UNHCR’s fundraising efforts, through close co-operation and integrated approach, the school construction in Ishkhanasar was funded by the Japanese Government through ‘Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects’, UNHCR, ASIF and the local authorities of Syunik marz to ensure improved access to the most fundamental right – education, for the children in the community of Ishkhanasar and nearby villages.
In her opening speech, UNHCR Armenia Representative Bushra Halepota wished the families in Ishkhanasar and their children to benefit from their new school, to obtain excellent education and make new friends there. “A school is a second home, the bonds of friendship and the values, developed in schools stay with you all your lives”, she said. “School is your spring board to the future life that will make you an enlightened citizen of Armenia and the entire world!”, Bushra Halepota noted.
In addition, to the construction of the school, UNHCR joined ASIF to support the community of Syunik in the renovation of the State University College in Goris, by providing technical materials for the building and constructed the school in Vardanidzor village with the financial support of the US and UK Embassies, UNHCR, UN Development Programme and ASIF- another vivid example of the success, achieved through joint efforts of UNHCR, local and international communities to enhance educational capacity in the communities.
“Education is a priority need to help refugees rebuild lives for the betterment of the society. There are millions of children today who are deprived of this opportunity; you are among the privileged ones who have been blessed with the possibility for education - the safeguard of self-reliance, confidence and sustainable livelihoods”, Bushra Halepota added. “You may know that Albert Einstein was also a refugee, so on this occasion of World Refuge Day we are overjoyed for the opportunity of opening the school doors for this community that may generate a genius one day’’, UNHCR Armenia Representative concluded.
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