Opening of the Metsamor Children's Clubroom
As part of the A Healthy Start Project, Mission East and Nur, our local NGO partner, are working closely with community leaders to establish children’s clubrooms in 11 communities in Armavir Region. The purpose of the clubrooms is to provide an environment in each community where disabled and non-disabled children can meet, get to know each other, and spend time together pursuing activities of mutual interest.
On 3 October, Mission East, Nur and the community of Metsamor inaugurated the first clubroom. The clubroom occupies 3 rooms on the ground floor of the kindergarten in Metsamor. Over the past few months the space has undergone a thorough renovation. The walls and ceilings are newly painted. Drafty wooden-framed windows have been replaced with double glazed prefab units. A concrete ramp now leads up to the entrance from a playground outside. The renovation also included the transformation of one of the rooms into a newly tiled, wheel-chair accessible bathroom/toilet with hot and cold water.
The day was cool and sunny. Celebrants gathered in the playground at the foot of the ramp. They included several prominent local and regional figures. The mayor of Metsamor was there. He has consistently supported the clubroom renovation with municipal appropriations and oversight. The deputy regional governor, herself a medical doctor, was also there. She has taken a great interest in the A Healthy Start Project. Her support has been a key factor in the continued progress of the project. Mission East staff, Nur staff and staff from the other partners in the Healthy Start project were there in full force. Parents and community members made up the biggest contingent of celebrants.
After a few brief speeches we moved up the ramp and through the door. Under the mayor’s leadership, we inaugurated the clubrooms n the Armenian way by sharing bread and salt. Then we got a chance to explore the space and investigate the activities that Nur staff had set up. Several parents brought their children and they had the pleasure of opening the paints, blocks, chess set and books.
The opening of our first clubroom in Metsamor was an important milestone for the A Healthy Start Project. We were thrilled at having come this far and doubly thrilled at the warm response of the community. In the next month we are scheduling openings for three or four more clubrooms.
Alfred Waldstein, Mission East Community Development Advisor
Read MoreOn 3 October, Mission East, Nur and the community of Metsamor inaugurated the first clubroom. The clubroom occupies 3 rooms on the ground floor of the kindergarten in Metsamor. Over the past few months the space has undergone a thorough renovation. The walls and ceilings are newly painted. Drafty wooden-framed windows have been replaced with double glazed prefab units. A concrete ramp now leads up to the entrance from a playground outside. The renovation also included the transformation of one of the rooms into a newly tiled, wheel-chair accessible bathroom/toilet with hot and cold water.
The day was cool and sunny. Celebrants gathered in the playground at the foot of the ramp. They included several prominent local and regional figures. The mayor of Metsamor was there. He has consistently supported the clubroom renovation with municipal appropriations and oversight. The deputy regional governor, herself a medical doctor, was also there. She has taken a great interest in the A Healthy Start Project. Her support has been a key factor in the continued progress of the project. Mission East staff, Nur staff and staff from the other partners in the Healthy Start project were there in full force. Parents and community members made up the biggest contingent of celebrants.
After a few brief speeches we moved up the ramp and through the door. Under the mayor’s leadership, we inaugurated the clubrooms n the Armenian way by sharing bread and salt. Then we got a chance to explore the space and investigate the activities that Nur staff had set up. Several parents brought their children and they had the pleasure of opening the paints, blocks, chess set and books.
The opening of our first clubroom in Metsamor was an important milestone for the A Healthy Start Project. We were thrilled at having come this far and doubly thrilled at the warm response of the community. In the next month we are scheduling openings for three or four more clubrooms.
Alfred Waldstein, Mission East Community Development Advisor
