Tuesday, December 2 2014

VivaCell-MTS and the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF)'s continuous collaboration resulted in the opening of the fourth Creativity Lab in Armenia, in correspondence with all the requirements of modern technologies. The press service of VivaCell-MTS has told ArmInfo that the students of Hatsik Community of Armavir Marz have been provided with opportunities to make use of the services offered by the new learning center, equipped with a smart board, modern computers, as well as special mobile furniture.

Up to date, the construction and utilization of Creativity Labs has been beneficial for the children of Sardarapat and Vanand communities of Armavir Marz and Arteni community of Aragatsotn Marz. Considering education as a catalyst for youth empowerment, COAF makes improved physical infrastructure and learning environment of rural schools an integral part of its programs to help students realize and reach their full potential. With the support provided by VivaCell-MTS, these initiatives reach a qualitatively new level and become commensurate with standards of excellence, complementing educational facilities with information and communication technologies.

The environment of the newly established educational hubs allows for the development of creativity skills among children and youth, encourages such correlation of activities as effective use of computers, IT classes, training sessions, lectures, reading, discussion, intellectual games and creative work.

"Quality education is a chance of a better life. Our joint project is aimed to equipping children in the villages with knowledge and opportunities to develop their creativity.  Growing up a knowledgeable generation presupposes improving the quality of education, improving physical and learning environment, and better teaching and learning methods.  We have to make steps in order to close the gap between towns and villages in terms of introducing new methods of secondary education. Village children deserve a better future", VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian stated. 

With regard to the successful implementation of the project, COAF Director Anoush Yedigaryan highlighted: "COAF's long-term experience in working with the rural children has proven many times that our youth is multi-talented and goal-oriented, and they much welcome any opportunity for growth and development. We are grateful that our reliable partner VivaCell-MTS attaches great importance to this fact and continuously supports our programs. The analysis of the activities implemented in the premises of creativity labs handed over for the past few years has demonstrated that both children and teachers engage enthusiastically in the events taking place in these educational facilities, which is an important factor in determining the effectiveness of the project". 

At present, COAF is completing the capital renovation and refurbishment of the Hatsik School, and recently the School Cafeteria and Brushodrome have been put into operation and "Healthy Nutrition" and "Dental Hygiene" programs have been launched. The Hatsik youth are participants of COAF's "Entrepreneurship and Practice for Youth" program, and the local psychologists are participants of the "Support for School Psychologists" program. As part of COAF's Child & Family Support Services, social services are being provided by the local social workers.

In 2014, through VivaCell-MTS assistance, COAF will hand over two more creativity labs in Lori Marz and one technologically enhanced classroom in Getashen community of Armavir Marz in the first quarter of the coming year respectively.  

The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that uses community-led approaches to reduce rural poverty, with a particular focus on children. Since the inception of its programs in 2004, COAF has funded and implemented education, health, social, and economic development programs serving more than 27,000 people in rural villages of Armenia. Each person impacted represents one of the more than one billion people living in poverty, and the methods used in Armenia can be replicated in other communities, where children are most vulnerable. Please see more at www.coafkids.org. 

VivaCell-MTS (K-Telecom CJSC) is Armenia's leading mobile operator, having the widest 2G/3.75G/4G network reach and spreading a wide range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best of the Armenian people interest at heart since its launch on 1st July 2005 and in a short period of time VivaCell-MTS has managed to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. VivaCell-MTS drives innovation and aims at always being at the forefront of any development serving the Armenian mobile communications market. For more information, visit www.vivacell.am

Mobile TeleSystems OJSC ("MTS") is the leading telecommunications group in Russia and the CIS, offering mobile and fixed voice, broadband, pay TV as well as content and entertainment services in one of the world's fastest growing regions. Including its subsidiaries, the Group services over 100 million mobile subscribers. The Group has been awarded GSM licenses in Russia, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Belarus, a region that boasts a total population of more than 200 million. Since June 2000, MTS' Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol MBT).  Additional information about the MTS Group can be found at www.mtsgsm.com