A Commitment to Tavush: Edele Hovnanian Receives Honorary Citizenship of Noyemberyan Consolidated Community

KOGHB, TAVUSH, ARMENIA – On a day marked by sincere appreciation and tangible impact, Edele Hovnanian, President of the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation, was named an honorary citizen of the Noyemberyan Consolidated Community. This recognition was presented on June 1, 2025, during a visit to Koghb, a village where the Foundation’s ongoing support for water access has made a real difference in people’s daily lives.

For nearly two decades the residents of Koghb faced severe challenges due to a lack of clean drinking water and reliable infrastructure. The problem, unresolved for political and logistical reasons, was one few expected would be solved until recently.

Since 2020 the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation has been working with the Armenian government to bring running water to border villages that have been without for too long. In Koghb, the visit included a walk through the newly completed water system, during which residents spoke about the difference it has made—from their daily routines to long-term plans.

At one household, a local family described the shift from daily uncertainty to self-sufficiency, made possible by consistent access to water. Later, at the village school, students presented their artwork and performed a short ensemble concert for honored guests, offering a glimpse into a community regaining confidence and stability.

Koghb’s Mayor Arsen Aghababyan addressed Hovnanian and others gathered, highlighting the significance of the work undertaken. “When I became mayor in 2005, drinking water was the number one problem in this village,” he said. “For political reasons, it went unsolved for 20 years. That changed because of you.” He added that beyond the infrastructure, the Foundation’s support had helped reduce emigration by restoring basic living conditions and hope for the future, pointing to the more than 1,300 households that now benefit from the project. “People want to stay when their basic needs are met. That’s the difference.”

In recognition of the Foundation’s impact, the Noyemberyan Municipality presented Hovnanian with a certificate of honorary citizenship. The ceremony also included gifts of handcrafted items from the village art school, as well as a painted depiction of a local church, presented on behalf of Tavush Governor Hayk Ghalumyan.

Hovnanian accepted her honorary citizenship with pride and said, “Water is life, and it has been a distinct pleasure to see for myself today how it has brought vitality to your village and ultimately keeping residents employed and families strong on our borders”.

The Foundation’s work in Tavush is part of a long-term effort to strengthen border communities through infrastructure investment and sustainable development. To date, the Foundation has supported water access projects in 13 villages in the region. Ten of these projects have been completed, including irrigation systems in Aknaghbyur, Achajur, Chinari, Aygehovit-Vazashen, Berdavan, Bagratashen, and Vazashen, as well as water supply systems in Sarigyugh, Khashtarak, and this latest project in Koghb. 

Three additional projects are currently underway: a water supply system in Sevkar, and irrigation systems in Debedavan and Norashen. 

The approach is collaborative and rooted in local priorities. It begins by identifying villages with long-standing water needs, then co-investing with state partners and ensuring strong oversight and maintenance. The impact is already clear: more land is being cultivated, household incomes are rising as more varieties of crops can be grown, and some families who once left are now coming back to work their now irrigated land.

What stood out most throughout the day was the quiet sincerity of the interactions.  At every stop—from a home visit to the shared meal to wrap up the trip—residents expressed their thanks not with scripted remarks, but through conversation, hospitality and a sense of genuine welcome. 

Since its founding in 1986, the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation has consistently invested in education, culture, and development programs, with a focus on Armenian communities. The work in Tavush represents one of its most sustained efforts in Armenia, with over $1 million invested so far.