Viva-MTS: A problem of 16 years solved. The semi-constructed building is now a memory

Two rooms without partition walls, lack of facilities, roof completely damaged by enemy shelling, a semi-built building almost in the open-air… It’s about sixteen years that one of the families in Tavush village of Tavush region has been living in such conditions. The Galstyans, of course, have tried to improve the conditions of the half-built building; they initiated a partial renovation, added a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom, but could not finish what they had started. Years later, another problem was added to the financial ones: the young homeowner Wilhelm, a military serviceman, lost his left leg in a mine explosion in 2015.

The collapse of the dilapidated building under the sun and rain is now prevented. Viva-MTS and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia, the partners implementing a housing project, supported the young family in making it a home. The partners of many years have fulfilled the dream of one more family.

“It used to be a half-ruined house. Years ago, a neighbor’s house and the roof of our half-built building were damaged from shells. When it rained, we put pots, but the rain and snow were leaking into the house. Now everything is different. The semi-built building has become a house,” said the homeowner, Wilhelm Babayan.

The Galstyans had the opportunity to leave the country to earn their daily bread abroad, but they considered it a temporary solution to the situation. Living in their homeland, being the owner of their own land was a matter of principal for them. Today they have set another goal of discovering the potential of their children and creating opportunities for their development and education. The new house gave them a basis for optimism.

“Goals are achievable, where there is commitment and resistance to hardships of life. When I met you for first time, I noticed that neither the hardships you have been through for many years, nor the loss of a limb at the war have been able to change you. Your strength, your willpower and optimism have turned into a light to guide you all the way to making your dream come true. Stay strong, keep your home and your native village standing,” Viva-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian said during the video call.

The partners implementing the housing program for over ten years, Viva-MTS and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia record desired results in different regions of the country. The families who became homeowners in the last year’s program celebrate a housewarming, and this year’s beneficiaries sign contracts with the desire to see their dreams come true. This year it is planned to support 84 families. There are families on the list who have to start the difficult task of building a house for the third time due to circumstances.

Viva-MTS (MTS Armenia CJSC) is Armenia’s leading telecommunications operator, having the widest network reach and spreading a wide range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best of the Armenian people at heart since its launch on 1st July 2005 and in a short period of time Viva-MTS has managed to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. Viva-MTS drives innovation and aims at always being at the forefront of any development serving the Armenian mobile communications market.  The company follows the guidance provided by ISO 26000 (International Standard of Social Responsibility), ISO/IEC 27001:2013 (Information Security Management System) and ISO 37001 (International anti-bribery management systems standard).

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC (“MTS”) is the leading telecommunications group in Russia and the CIS, offering mobile and fixed voice, broadband, pay TV as well as content and entertainment services in one of the world’s fastest growing regions. Including its subsidiaries, the Group services over 86.8 million mobile subscribers in Russia, Armenia and Belarus. Since June Y2000, MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol MBT). Additional information about the MTS Group can be found at: www.mtsgsm.com

Fuller Center for Housing Armenia is a non-governmental, charitable organization that supports community development in the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh by assisting in building and renovating simple, decent and affordable homes, as well as advocating the right to a decent shelter as a matter of conscience and action. FCHA provides long-term, interest-free loans to low-income families. The monthly repayments flow into a Revolving Fund, which is used to help more families, thereby providing a financial foundation for sustainable development. Since 2008 the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia has assisted 1018 families. For more information, please visit www.fcharmenia.org or email us at fcarmenia@fcharmenia.org