Italian Foreign Ministry donated 230,000 Euros to the construction of Orran charity center in Vanadzor, once again confirming camaraderie between the people of Italy and Armenia.

Thursday, February 18 <b>Paolo Dieci</b>, CISP Director and Legal Representative and Orran founder <b>Armine K. Hovannisian</b> signed an agreement laying the foundations for the construction of a an Orran center in Vanadzor.

“We were very impressed to learn of the tremendous work that Orran has been doing in helping families in need. Our organization works in 25 different countries mostly in projects involving children’s rights. We applied to the Italian Foreign Ministry with the request to assist Orran in building a center in Vanadzor, and received approval,” Mr. Dieci stated.

The construction of the four story building on a 1000 square meters land will start immediately. “We are so happy that CISP and the Italian government came to support our work and to add to the generous donation of Mr. and Mrs. Krikor and Anna Krikorian who had commenced the project with a $250,000 donation in the year 2008,” Armine Hovannisian explained.

The Orran center in Vanadzor was founded on leased premises in September of 2009 with the financial support of the Open Society Institute and VivaCell-MTS. Currently there are 50 needy children receiving a daily hot meal, tutorial, medical, psychological and social services. The children are also learning skills in pottery and woodcraft. Once the construction of the new building is completed, more children will be embraced in the program.