Viva-MTS: The 25-year-old metal container has already become a storage room

The initiative of Viva-MTS and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia to help people to move from metal containers has been successful. The metal container that has served as a shelter for 25 years now has become a storage room. The heads of partner organizations visited the Hakobyans from Getap village of Vayots Dzor region who have started life from a new page.

Arthur moved to live in a metal container in 1997, at the age of 24. He would never had imagined that not only his but also his children’s life would pass within cold metal walls. The family of four has spent a whole life in a 27 sq. meter metal container.

To create decent conditions for his family, 5 years ago Arthur started house construction; however, due to lack of financial means, he was not able to complete the house construction. The partner organizations implementing the housing project assisted the Hakobyans.

The half-built building has now become a home. The metal container is no more a shelter; it has become a storage room, later it will be removed from the area. The Hakobyans’ 18-year-old son managed to meet the New Year in their newly built house before leaving for military service.

“We have lived difficult years; we have experienced distressing and troublesome life, but have never been hopeless. We used to see on TV that houses built in this or that region, and we were rejoicing with and for everyone. The partner organizations implementing projects in all regions of Armenia supported us, too, and our dream that seemed to be so distant came true,” said Arthur.

“Encounters with each family are special to us, because each and every one of them has its own story behind, its portion of hardships, and its search for a way out. One can hardly imagine these people have spent their youth, 25 years of their lives, in a place reminding a metal mold, which can hardly be called even a shelter. I am more than sure, the housing program is a chance for many to start over,” said Viva-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

“When you compare the living conditions in the metal container with the conditions of the newly built house, it becomes evident what tough times these people have survived by being deprived of basic conditions. Each time, it is so rewarding to share the joy of these people,” Ashot Yeghiazaryan, Fuller Center for Housing Armenia President, said.

In 2021, with the support of Viva-MTS and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia, the housing problem has been solved for 87 families. Summing up the results of ten years of cooperation, the number of the supported families is approaching 400.

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 86.5 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 about 1300 families. For more information, please visit www.fcharmenia.org or email us at fcarmenia@fcharmenia.org