FCN Completes the Roof Restoration of Gavar Special School

For Immediate Release ~ September 18, 2007
Contact: FCN ~ 818-554-8832 ~ info@fcnorg.com

Los Angeles, September 18, 2007 - Focus on Children Now, Inc. (FCN) completed restoration of the Gavar Special School roof this summer. The 30,000 square foot roof was in a desperate state of disrepair for at least half of its over 31-year life. The appalling conditions not only made life unbearable for the faculty, administrators, and staff, but more importantly for over 120 children who attend and live in the school dorms. The constant leaking damaged the wooden floors, heat escape made it impossible to heat the classrooms and the dorms during the harsh winters of the region, and the soaking floors greatly restricted the school activities. The new roof will allow the faculty, administrators, staff, and particularly children to enjoy a warmer environment, interact more freely without wearing layers-and-layers of clothes, and have greater freedom to plan wider curriculum activities.

The new roof was inaugurated by Public Officials; school's Director, Faculty, Administration, Staff; and members of the FCN Board on September 18, 2007. The day was filled with disbelief and excitement by the school Staff, joyful emotions by the Faculty, gratitude by the administrators, accomplishment by the FCN Board members, and renewed sense of rousing by the children whose "special needs" mind would only tell them that they will have warmer hands in this coming winter.

ABOUT FCN & THE ROOF PROJECT

Focus on Children Now, Inc. (FCN) is a not for profit organization that was registered in California in 2007. Since its inception in 2005, its primary focus has been to help the impoverished children in need of basic life necessities. During its short life, FCN has completed a number of charitable projects: installation of heaters in the dorm rooms of Gavar Special School (GSS) and reconstruction of School's roof are but a couple to mention. In addition, every month, FCN dispatches to and distributes throughout Armenia thousands of pieces of new and quality used clothing to children and families. Also, the organization sends care packages containing shoes, toys, school supplies and bedding to numerous nursing homes and orphanages in Armenia.

FCN collaborates with various organizations with similar mission and objectives: Orran, Hayrenik Alliance, Hay Santa Foundation, and the Goorgen Melikian Foundation for Multi-Children Families in Kashatagh. This network continues to expand making new strides to reach children beyond Armenia.

FCN also enjoys a close alliance with volunteers serving in the United States Peace Corps. Peace Corps volunteers living and working around the world in remote towns and villages, after awhile become acquainted with the regional problems and act as change agents for addressing the most pressing needs within their sphere of influence in the countries where they are stationed.

Two such volunteers, Mr. Jason and Mrs. Terra Sprague, arrived in Gavar, Armenia in 2004. After meeting the founders of FCN in 2005, they approached the organization concerning the appalling conditions of the GSS's roof in November 2006.

The 30,000 square foot roof was in desperate state of disrepair for at least half of its over 31-year life. Two Board members of FCN visited the school and inspected its condition first hand. Upon their return a special committee was assembled to raise funds and replace the school roof prior to the fall 2007 school term. On May 5, 2007, FCN organized a special gala dinner. The function was a great success, and the event raised approximately $70,000. The roof was completely restored for $85,000; and inaugurated in a special ceremony on September 18, 2007.

This project would not have materialized without the benevolent and generous contributions of the Armenian community in California. Months of preparation and hard work by dozens of FCN volunteers dedicated to the cause and motivated solely by the sense of urgency to help the children in need living 8,000 miles away was paid off. FCN is indebted to all those who contributed, monetarily, socially, and morally, to the success of the "Roof Project."

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