The first Pentium 3 computers, trendy concert chairs, shiny new desks—these were more than just items; they were symbols of hope and renewal in Gyumri back in 1997. That year, FAR completed the reinforcement and renovation of the Vazgen 1st Gyumri Secondary School, a building that was shattered by the devastating Spitak earthquake. This catastrophic 6.8-magnitude quake had ravaged the Lori and Shirak provinces, leaving countless homes, schools, and infrastructures in shambles.
For Melanya Melkonyan, these “firsts” hold a special place in her heart. A custodian of history and memory, she has carefully preserved the very first computers, furniture, and lab essentials the school received from FAR when its doors reopened in 1997.
Melanya, now a Deputy Director of School, was just starting her career as a teacher when the earthquake struck. On that fateful day, she was at school with 1,300 students. “Two children were absent that day,” she recalls solemnly. “Sadly, they never made it. Then the disaster hit, tearing apart not only buildings but also lives and futures. Thousands of children were left without access to proper education.”
Temporary classrooms sprang up in makeshift tents, but the conditions were harsh. Naira Simonyan, then a 10-year-old student and now a geography teacher at the same school, vividly remembers those days: “Summers were unbearably hot, winters were freezing. Light winds would make the tents shudder, adding to our anxiety. We’d huddle around a kerosene stove just to keep warm. Classes were cut short—sometimes lasting only 20 minutes because of the cold or the wind.”
“It felt like a miracle,” Melanya reminisces. “The walls were pristine white, the desks and chairs brand new, and the warmth—both physical and emotional—was palpable. Ours was one of the first stone schools in Gyumri. Most others were still holding classes in wooden blocks or ‘domiks.’ Teachers from other schools were envious of our new environment. It truly felt like a ‘school of hope.’”
FAR’s commitment didn’t stop there. Over the years, it has continued to support the school with supplies and resources. Just weeks ago, FAR donated a new table tennis set, much to the delight of the students.
“It’s both a blessing and a bit of a challenge,” Melanya laughs. “The kids are obsessed! They even skip class to play. If we hide the ball, they bring one from home and start using books as rackets!”
Today, 365 students thrive in an environment that nurtures both academic and physical growth—a legacy rooted in FAR’s unwavering support since 1997.
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