Viva-MTS: A family displaced from Artsakh has built a home and settled in Vayots Dzor

In 2021, 87 families, of which 15 displaced from Artsakh, have been assisted through the housing project implemented by Viva-MTS and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia. The partner organizations visited the Harutyounyans from Aghnjadzor village in Vayots Dzor region.

Three decades ago, the Harutyunyan tried to build their dream home in this village; however, the lack of financial means and the circumstances changed their plans. Leaving the construction that had lasted several years, Mkrtich, together with his family, moved to live in Kashatagh community of Artsakh permanently. Life wasn’t favorable there, either. When war broke out, Mkrtich, together with his sons, left for frontline, whereas the women and children moved to a safe place; that is, the old half-built house in Aghnjadzor village of Vayots Dzor region.

After the war, the elder of the Harutyunyans’ sons stayed in Artsakh, the others returned to Vayots Dzor region and continued the construction of the left semi-constructed house thanks to the support of partner organizations.

“We have lost everything created through hard work of many years and had to start everything anew. Weren’t the support, we would not be able to complete the construction and live in adequate housing conditions. I don’t know even what name to give to your support, may be luck, or I don’t know what else. Today there are eight of us in this house, three families, my wife and I, my son with his family, and my daughter with her family. Now, it seems, we are ready for a new start. Our gratefulness is endless,” said Mkrtich.

“In the course of implementing this program we have met families, whose life path has been filled with hardships. And I can say that problems would be unsolvable if those people showed solely realistic attitudes to their problems. If you do not know that there is dawn to replace night, everything gets hopeless. Optimism is fundamental. It makes the human will stronger. I am happy to see families who have had tough time over years are gradually getting back on track of a normal life,” Viva-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian said.

“These families had to subdue many hardships; they have lost everything. It’s not easy to start everything from the same point left 25 years ago; however, it’s gratifying to see that these families do not lack enthusiasm, and that disappointment does not discourage them. All we have to do is to be next to them and give them a hand-up within the bounds of our possibilities,” said Ashot Yeghiazaryan, the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia President.

Viva-MTS and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia, partners of over a decade, achieve the set goals in different regions of Armenia. The partners of many years give significance not only to the visible results of the project, but also to the psychological one.

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