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Nerkin Karmiraghbyur village of Tavush region is located only 1.5 km from the state border. The position of the village makes it vulnerable to constant fire of the enemy. But the villagers are strong and adamant as ever and are sure that the peaceful days will sooner or later come. Despite all the hardships of the turbulent times, they are engaged in viticulture, continue cultivating their land and prove that the determination and the will to protect one’s homeland is much stronger. The villagers of Nerkin Karmiraghbyur consider themselves as frontier guards, and with good reason.

Babken Avagyan has passed through the hardships of war. The walls of his home are silent evidence of those days. Years ago the house was mostly ruined from explosion of a shell. The Avagyans, however, did not despair, and started the renovation of their house hand in hand with supporting organizations. Their cherished dream has come true thanks to the support of VivaCell-MTS and Fuller Center for Housing Armenia. Besides providing financial support, VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian, staff members of the Company and Fuller Center for Housing Armenia have also participated in the construction works of Avagyan’s half-built house.

“The firings have recently become more frequent but nothing can break our spirit. The firing had not been so intensive since 1993. But we won’t be bullied by that; we have to build houses and lives here, and they can continue firing as much as they want. Let the enemy know we are not going to leave our village: this is our home, this is our homeland,” said Babken Avagyan, a resident of Nerkin Karmiraghbyur village.

“This visit is more of psychological importance. Every Armenian can build a house on his own. Building a house under firings, however, isn’t that easy.  People living in borderland villages should feel that they are not alone and that the rear is strong. We are trying to provide them the confidence in that by participating in the construction works. After the construction works we will leave the village, while the Avagyans will stay protecting our border. We must appreciate their determination to stay and defend the homeland,’’ VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian said.

“Each member of these families is a hero, from young to old. Shootings and calibers have become the everyday topic of conversation for residents of borderland villages.  These people live under constant firing; they cultivate their gardens, go to work, and send their children to school. It is impossible to break the spirit of these people.  The least we can do is provide decent housing conditions for them,’’ said Ashot Yeghiazaryan, president of Fuller Center for Housing Armenia.

In 2014 only, owing to partnership between VivaCell-MTS and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia the housing problem was solved for 16 families from borderland villages in Tavush. Till the end of this year 11 more families will have improved housing conditions.

According to the press service of VivaCell-MTs Company,  in 2015 VivaCell-MTS invested AMD 100 million (AMD 55 million in 2014) for the realization of the project, and Fuller Center for Housing Armenia has undertaken its implementation. Through this partnership, from 2007 up to now, 53 families from different communities of the republic already have decent homes. Till the end of the year the number of the families having their houses renovated or the construction of the half-built houses completed will reach 93.