This is Mush II, a neighbourhood in Gyumri. It is one of the districts built on the outskirts of the town after the earthquake back in 1988, for those who lost their homes in the disaster. Major political and economic changes in the country meant the re-construction work in Gyumri soon came to a halt. The foreign construction workers left and the residents had to survive on their own. Mush II became one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Gyumri, with high rate of unemployment, harsh living conditions, a lack of transportation and an absence of any social infrastructure.

The Torsunyan family moved to Mush II seven months ago, after years living in a severely damaged building. The place they now call their home is an apartment without flooring and doors, with unpainted walls covered with soot. The only "home-like"room is furnished with an old table and a few iron beds. The only window is covered with ragged cloth instead of a curtain. The other rooms are cold and empty. The apartment has no water or sewage as all pipes were stolen long ago. The residents have to carry water from a nearby spring and use buckets for their toilet.

Torsunyans have eight children; two of whom are already married and live on their own. Their eldest children did not go to high school since the parents had no money for clothing and school supplies. Three of the younger children are now staying at the boarding school. Gayane Torsunyan and her husband are unemployed, and they manage to survive somehow by collecting old metal items for recycling. One of the rooms in their apartment is full of wires and metal junk.

Two years ago, the neighbourhood became a part of World Vision's Gyumri Area Development Program, initiated in order to improve the quality of life in communities. Over the past two years, thousands of vulnerable children and their families benefited from various long-term projects like school feeding, elderly care, summer camps and Christmas celebrations.

"The people from World Vision helped us since we moved in here," says Gayane Torsunyan. "During the summer two of my children went to the Christian Summer Camp here in Gyumri, and another two went to the camp in Tsakhkadzor. I could never afford sending them on vacation.' Three of the family's youngest children - eleven-year-old Marat, nine-year-old Gohar and four-year-old Lilit already have sponsors.

The family received food supplies worth 30,000 drams (about $50) just before New Year. "We had no money and I was desperate, because everyone wants to have something special for the New Year's table, and I had nothing to give to my children, nothing at all," says Gayane. "Then the people from World Vision came and brought us food. I was so happy; I did not expect anything like that. That was the best Christmas present for our family."
In addition, the Torsunyans were among 370 families in Mush II that received 1400 KW electricity vouchers from World Vision this winter, thanks to funding from World Vision US. It was a major relief for the residents, who had to survive long winters with the temperature as low as 15F without having regular heating in their homes.

"The electricity helped us to keep our room warm during the coldest months," says Gayane Torsunyan. "And a few days ago we found out that World Vision will give us more free electricity."

The Torsunyans are among those families with three or more children who will receive additional 600 KW to be able to heat their homes until the end of the cold season.

In Sheram II, another needy community in Gyumri ADP, World Vision constructed a natural gas pipeline for over 90 families currently living in the neighbourhood, and negotiated 50% off the gas payments with the Government. Thanks to the project many families now use natural gas to heat their homes, since it is much cheaper than the electricity.

The Manoukyan family is among those who benefited from this project. "Natural gas helped us to solve many problems," says Armen Manoukyan, the father of the family. "We use gas in the kitchen and my wife now has plenty of hot water for dishes and laundry."

Armen has been disabled since he was a young age, and he does not work. He and his wife, Araxy, have to take care of their elderly parents and their son, four-year-old Karush.

The Manoukyans also benefit from other World Vision projects implemented in Sheram II. Karush among other children in Gyumri ADP was baptised in 2001. He also received GIK clothing, has regular medical check-ups and participated in the Christmas and Easter celebrations. Recently Karush became one of the 1500 sponsored children in Gyumri ADP.

"Karush's sponsor has just sent him a letter," says Araxy.

Hearing the word "sponsor", the boy rushes to the dresser and tries to open the drawer. 'There is an album with the pictures from his sponsor," explains his mother.

Karush is exited to have new people in their house. There is no kindergarten in Sheram, so he has to stay home all the time. "We are really looking forward to the opening of the Children's Centre here," says Araxy.

The new Children's Development Centre, established by World Vision, will open in May and will provide access to art and language classes, games and other educational and developmental activities for children of different ages from the poor families in Sheram II. The Centre is located next to the new school that has also been purchased and renovated by World Vision.

The snow has finally stopped and Karush went out to play. As he runs out, he gives a friendly wave and exclaims, "Bye, World Vision! Will you come again?"