27 years have passed since the devastating earthquake of 1988, but north of Armenia still keeps the traces of the catastrophe. Many families became homeless years ago. Many of them continue building hoping that one day they will have a home again.
The Margaryans are one of the residents of Lejan village of Lori region who have lost their home as a result of the earthquake and lived in a temporary shelter till now. The small wagon-like tin house without basic living conditions has been the only prototype of house for the two children of the Margaryan family; their daughter is already married, but their son does not get married because of the housing conditions.
“My and my husband's youth has passed in this tin shelter. It’s already many years my husband has been living abroad to work so that we could put the stone on the stone and build a house at least for our son, but years go by and we have been able to raise only the walls. Today, when I see our house construction completed, I can't believe my eyes. My lifelong dream has come true,” said the mother of the family, Hasmik.
The long-cherished dream of the Margaryans to have a home of their own has become a reality owing to the cooperation between VivaCell-MTS and the Fuller Center for Housing of Armenia. VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian, employees of the Company, and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia team visited the Margaryans to share with them the joy of houswarming.
“It is impossible to predict life or the hardships that await us in the time of our life. Yet, we should never stop dreaming. When someone possess will and persistence, he finds a way out of the difficulties. One should never give in to despair. For years this family has been trying to realize its dream. Thanks to the generous support of the companies, the hardships of this family are now in the past. It is a pleasure to see one more family celebrate the long-awaited housewarming,” VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian said.
“This year, the construction of two half-built houses is being completed in Lori region; another three families have been assisted to renovate the roofs of their houses. I am happy to see the joy of this family, whose long awaited home is finally ready,” Ashot Yeghiazaryan, the President of Fuller Center for Housing Armenia said.
For the implementation of the housing project, VivaCell-MTS invested AMD 100 million in 2015 (AMD 55 million was invested in 2014), and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia has undertaken the implementation of the project. Through this partnership, from 2007 till the end of this year the number of the families having their houses renovated or the construction of the half-built houses completed will reach 93.