YERKIR USA

PRESS RELEASE

Glendale, CA, USA – It has been nearly a year since YERKIR was founded in Yerevan, Armenia, with the unification of its member organizations, and eight months since YERKIR USA took its first steps in the US, with its March 2003 fundraiser. For YERKIR and YERKIR USA 2003 has been a year of active growth, full of challenges and successes. On the front lines, where the "battles are fought", during the summer months, YERKIR has been busy building. Here in Southern California, YERKIR USA has been actively promoting YERKIR's mission, signing contracts with local community individuals and organizations, and funding YERKIR's projects, one dollar at a time. Case in point, the first two YERKIR USA projects, the new school in the village of Dzar in the Shahoumian Region of the Republic of Karabagh and the new kindergarten in the village of Arakioul in the Hadrout Region, both recently had their grand openings.

In June 2003, YERKIR USA signed contract with the United Armenian Students (www.uasweb.org), securing their sponsorship for the reconstruction of the school in the village of Aregouni in the Keghargounik Region of the Republic of Armenia. The UAS will secure major funding for this project, through its benefit concert to be held on Saturday December 20 th , 2003 at the Glendale High School auditorium. For tickets or information, call 818-974-6707.

During the past few months, YERKIR USA has held several fundraisers and has been actively negotiating with several community organizations and individuals, hoping to secure their sponsorships for Project Haykavan. Haykavan is a small, quiet community located in a strategic mountain pass leading into Karabagh, in the southern Hadrout Region of the Republic. YERKIR has undertaken the challenging task of a major development in the village. The plan includes eight new homes, a school, a clinic and a community center. The implementation of Project Haykavan will undoubtedly revitalize this community, and give historic Haykavan the chance to reach its old glory, once again.

On Sunday November 16th , 2003, at 5:00PM, YERKIR USA has organized a public event. The event will highlight the recent accomplishments of the Agency and outline the current ongoing projects, as well as the plans mapped for 2004. Video and multi-media presentations will be given during the event which will take place at the St. Gregory Armenian Church, at 1510 East Mountain street in Glendale, corner of Verdugo and Mountain, across from Glendale College. The guest speaker of this event will be the president of YERKIR Armenia, Sevak Ardzrouni. The public is invited to attend this interesting and unique event. Admission is free.

For more information about YERKIR USA or to contribute to Project Haykavan, visit www.yerkirusa.org , or contact a YERKIR USA Board members or its Executive Director, Vicken Arabian, at 818-291-9703, or email him at info@yerkirusa.org .

********** YERKIR, is an Armenia based agency-union of non-governmental organizations for the repatriation, settlement and socio-economic development of the border regions of Armenia, that is, the independent Republics of Armenia and Karabagh. YERKIR is a non-profit, benevolent, independent, non-governmental, non-political agency. **********