Background

AGBU has a proud, long and sustained record of assistance to Armenian communities worldwide and to Armenia through large and small programmes.

The assistance to Armenia began with the pioneering humanitarian relief projects of the 1920's and 1930's, the repatriation of Armenians, the establishment of new villages, and the building of medical and educational institutions. Since the earthquake in Gyumri in 1988 and Armenia's independence in 1991, while continuing to develop Diaspora programmes, the AGBU has paid special attention to the homeland and more recently to Artsakh.

In celebration of a 100 year long heritage of accomplishments, the 2004 AGBU Biennial Assembly  in New York initiated the Centennial Project, redoubling the organisation’s efforts in Artsakh. AGBU London, in addition to its community activities here in the UK has, along with AGBU France, Southern California and Australia,  already made substantial contributions to this initiative. 

Building the New Village in Artsakh

AGBU London is building the new village of Pareshen in Artsakh and is giving hope and a future to refugee families displaced by war and the 1988 earthquake, who are now on waiting lists in Armenia and the CIS.

Where is Pareshen? Pareshen is situated in the south eastern corner of the southern Hadrout region of the NKR (Nagorno Karabagh Republic). Click on Artsakh in the map below to see the location of Pareshen and the adjacent Akn and Norashen; the sister village built with the resources of AGBU France and facilitated by the NKR government. The name Pareshen, submitted by Professor Khachadour Pilikian of London UK, was selected from a list of 20 entries in a village-naming competition organised by AGBU London.

On 13th June 2005, AGBU London signed the agreement with the NKR Migration, Refugees and Repopulation Ministry to allocate 1128 hectares of land to the Pareshen village. 

With the oversight of AGBU London, the building programme is managed on the ground by the AGBU Yerevan and Stepanakert offices, utilising the directly hired services of an independent architect and construction firm chosen through a contract bidding and selection process.

The agreement requires that the NKR Government provide the land for homes and farming, the necessary infrastructure (roads, electricity and water), up to 260,000 drams to purchase animals and a one-off payment of 20,000 drams to the head of the family and 5000 drams to the other members. AGBU London is required to fund, build and connect the homes to the services.

Pareshen will share the kindergarten, primary school and all-purpose clinic facilities of the adjacent Norashen village of 20 homes, built five years ago with the efforts and funds of AGBU France. Pareshen and Norashen will also share a secondary school, currently being built with funds raised by AGBU Sydney and Southern California.

Phase 1 is now underway with a budget of  £53,000 from the generous donations of members of the UK Armenian Community and matching AGBU London funds. The cost of each home is approximately 6.2 million drams. More funds are required to complete a viable village of a minimum of 20 homes as a permanent and lasting gift to Artsakh by the UK Armenian Community.

Please make a donation, no matter how small, to provide hope and a future for deserving refugee families. Please make your cheque payable to "AGBU London Trust - Pareshen Project" and send it to AGBU London, Pareshen Project, P.O.Box 54160, LONDON, W5 9DU, W5 2UY, United Kingdom. Alternatively, make your online donation here.