150,000 people live here– nearly half in the capitol of Stepanakert. But the majority in small towns and villages.
Karabakh was at the center of a violent dispute in the early 90’s. Though it was once part of Armenia, the Azeris tried to seize control. A three year war broke out and left people dead, and villages in shambles.
20 years later, Nagorno Karabakh is independent but remnants of the war remain.
A bombed out school in Shosh Village serves as a reminder of what once was. But a new school and a bus were provided by a non-profit organization called the Armenian Fund.
Vital additions says principal Hamlet Harutyunyan. He says, see video on yourcentralvalley.com
“Of course education is important and we do our best for our kids to continue education at the university but we also work on them to become good people and good citizens of artsakh”
The Armenia fund was established after the Karabakh war. Millions of donated dollars have been used to provide paved roads, drinking water, schools and other necessities .
The framework has been built for a new community center in the village of Kamir Shuka population 650. It’s one of 40 community centers built by the Armenia Fund in the past 23 years. For the people there, it really serves as the heart of the village.
Back in Shosh Village, a new 400-thousand dollar community and health center will soon open and replace the old one.–
Mayor Erik Abrahamyan is thankful. He says,
“For us this is something unimaginable and he says using this occasion I want to thank the hayastan fund and all the benefactors from the diaspora without whom this building would simply not be there.”
The government of Nagorno Karabakh is also involved in recovery. We met with President Bako Sahakyan. He said “security” for residents is a great concern. He said,
” taking into consideration geographic and geo-political things.. and the president says the most important thing for any governtment of Artsakh.. any leadership is to further strengthen security component of our country.. t0 make our country stronger. ”
The old bombed out school in Shosh Village may someday be restored as a museum.
In the meantime, residents are looking to the future and the promising new additions still to come.