VivaCell-MTS and COAF Partner to Bring Contemporary Educational Opportunities to the Children of Arteni

VivaCell MTS and the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) helped realize a long-expected dream of Arteni’s schoolchildren. The Arteni School's elementary wing officially reopened after a significant capital renovation. VivaCell-MTS provided AMD 7 mln for the establishment of a technology classroom, Creativity Lab, which will be used by all students. COAF renovated the rest of the classrooms and installed a tooth brushing station, Brushadrom.
 
The Creativity Lab features a smart board, modern computers, as well as mobile furniture adaptable for working individually, in small or large groups. The Lab provides a multifunctional environment fit for classes, training sessions, lectures, reading, discussions, projects and games, performances and fun.

This is the second Creativity Lab established as part of COAF-VivaCell-MTS partnership, the first one being launched in September 2013 in the Sardarapat community located in the Armavir region.

«By providing the village school with innovative tools encouraging creativity we want to help them reveal and develop skills and knowledge. We have to grow up knowledgeable generation, and in this regard it’s very important to ensure that there is no gap between village and town schools», VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian stated.

In the words of Anoush Yedigaryan, COAF Executive Director, «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. Given the need in Arteni, we decided to build on this cooperation with our partner VivaCell-MTS and capitally renovate the Elementary School wing. This was made possible through the generous donation of long-standing COAF benefactors Mr. & Mrs. Noubar and Anna Afeyan. The newly opened Creativity Lab and Elementary School wing will provide contemporary educational opportunities to the younger generation».  

The Arteni School is COAF’s seventh rural school and eighteenth building to have undergone capital renovation since 2004. Starting today, close to 100 elementary schoolchildren and 15 primary school teachers will enjoy safe and nurturing classroom conditions and benefit from a learning environment equipped with bright classrooms, indoor lavatories and running water, a central heating system and a brushadrome.