AMD10mln raised at dinner for first Inclusive Playground in Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) jointly with the Yerevan Zoo held last week a fundraising dinner to garner additional funds for the construction of the first Inclusive Playground in Armenia.

The project aims to establish an educational, therapeutic and entertainment platform that will provide free access to 8000 children with disabilities registered in Armenia.

The fundraising dinner brought together representatives of public and private sectors, embassies and international organizations. The live and silent auctions, as well as other donation initiatives available during the event raised a total of AMD 10mln that was matched by the FPWC’s General Partner VivaCell-MTS.

Unique paintings for the live auction were donated by Armenian artists Ashot Avagyan, Vahagn Hamalbashyan, Lucie Abdalyan, Gabriel Manukyan (Gabo), Arev Petrosyan, Narek Avetsiyan and Artur Sargsyan, as well as limited special editions of alcoholic beverages from ArmAs Winery and Ararat Abricon. The handicrafts and paintings for the silent auction were kindly donated by Armenian children with special needs to support the cause.

The colorful event included unique performances by children of the inclusive theater of the Child Development Foundation, Small Theater dance troupe and the award-winning Paros Chamber Choir, mostly consisting of singers with disabilities:

The construction works are expected to be completed by June 2015, thus creating playing and learning equal opportunities for all children.

Since 2011 the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets with the support of the General Partner VivaCell-MTS implements a long-term “FPWC for the Yerevan Zoo” project that aims to convert the zoo into a multifunctional regional hub for biodiversity conservation and environmental education.