Yerevan, Armenia — August 30, 2007— Today, IRD Armenia held a ceremony marking the opening of a renovated cafeteria and kitchen at Yerevan Special School #16 for vision impaired children. The funding for the renovation was provided by the U.S. Department of State, and the project was administered by IRD Armenia. Co-funding to the project was provided by LDS Charities.

"We are thrilled to be able to provide these improvements for these children," said IRD Armenia Country Director Ruzanna Stepanyan. "We're also particularly excited to have the participation, funding and support of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassy here, as well as the local government. It really emphasizes how much can be accomplished when these two countries work together so closely."

Ambassador Rudolf Perina, Charge’ d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy to Armenia, Deputy Chief of Mission Joseph Pennington, the directors of LDS charities, representatives of MLSI, international NGOs, local authorities participated in the ceremony. 

For several years IRD has cooperated with the Special Boarding School #16 in Salt Mines district of Yerevan by providing them with hygienic and school kits, food items and clothing. Recently, the U.S. Department of State specifically provided funding so IRD could renovate those premises of the school to improve the quality of life of the students.

IRD started its operations in Armenia in 2001, and currently implements the Essential Medical Commodities Distribution project in the country to assist vulnerable populations by working with both local NGOs and medical and social institutions.