VivaCell-MTS: solar heating system installed in the kindergarten of Tsovak village
The harsh climate, typical to Gegharkunik region, entails unforeseen expenses or realizing temporary solutions for the kindergarten in Tsovak village. Heating the kindergarten building, with its three pavilions, is a big expense for the community. Moreover, trying to solve the problem with electric heaters is not only useless, but also dangerous for children. The kindergarten, which serves 60 kids, for the fourth year in a row, has gone into a compulsory off regime. Unforeseen vacation dates are “defined” by nature, which disrupts teachers’ and parents’ plans.
“We are open only for 6 months, because of the heating problem. This is a big dilemma for both employees and children. Since the second half of October, we had to use electric heaters. The provided heat is not effective. The children often get sick. And beginning from November, we have stopped working,” said the kindergarten director Ruzan Petrosyan.
Due to the conditions imposed by nature, the educators’ efforts to convey full educational materials to the children have failed. In order to eliminate the consequences of the work, which is interrupted periodically, the educators have to go the same route, several times. After the compulsory vacations, we should start again from the scratch, so that the child can adjust to the educational environment, once again. The learning topic subject is inadvertently becoming secondary.
VivaCell-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) have found a solution for the kindergarten problem: to solve the problem created by nature, with the help of nature, itself. The installation of photovoltaic solar system has started in the kindergarten. The existing boilers using natural gas will be replaced with electric boilers. As a result, the kindergarten building will be heated by electricity generated from solar energy.
“The heating methods used in the regions with severe winter conditions are outdated. They are costly, do not provide sufficient temperatures, and are not even safe for children. This kindergarten has a problem that needs to be solved. We started solar heater installation program so that the kids and teachers no longer have to stay at home waiting for more favorable weather conditions. We try to use the natural resources more efficiently. Not to use the solar power in a country like Armenia would be a waste of resources. We are solving several issues by installing water heaters. The kindergarten will not have to interrupt work for almost six months a year, the building will have an environmentally friendly system of heating and will save money,” VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian said.
Through such environmental projects implemented in different regions of Armenia, the long-time partners strive to reduce the costs of rural communities and to activate the lives of residents.
Eco villages network includes selected intentional or traditional communities throughout Armenia, that are consciously designed through locally owned, participatory processes to regenerate their social, cultural, economic and natural environments. The core idea behind the whole concept of the ecovillages is integrating the four dimensions of sustainability – ecological, economic, cultural and social – through integral, participatory design. The project is a new format of the long-term cooperation between the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC), VivaCell-MTS and the Global Ecovillages Network (GEN) in the field of environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources.
The Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) was founded in Y2002. FPWC is a member organization of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since Y2012. FPWC’s mission is to publicize the unique natural heritage of Armenia and the importance of biodiversity conservation, environmental issues and the importance of preserving nature. We aim to reduce human and wildlife conflict and its consequences to reduce the risks of endangered species of flora and fauna. Biodiversity conservation, environmental education, community development and public awareness are the main directions of our activities.
VivaCell-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 interest at heart since its launch on 1st July Y2005 and in a short period of time VivaCell-MTS has managed to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. VivaCell-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) and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 (Information Security Management System). For more information, visit www.mts.am
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 100 million mobile subscribers in Russia, Ukraine, Armenia and Belarus. Since July 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