Water is Life: H. Hovnanian Family Foundation Helps Revitalize Border Villages and Enhance Livelihoods

“Having access to water is crucial—water is life," begins a local resident of [Sarigyugh]. Since 2020, in a subvention program partnership with the Government of Armenia, the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation has been actively involved in addressing critical water issues in Tavush’s border villages. This ongoing public-private partnership strives to bring irrigation and clean drinking water to previously deprived villages. Its ultimate goal is to fundamentally uplift the region's socio-economic conditions by revitalizing the population and enabling the growth of diverse agricultural products.
 

Transforming Communities Through Water Access

The H. Hovnanian Family Foundation's projects have already brought transformative changes to several villages, greatly enhancing agricultural productivity and residents' quality of life. By modernizing water infrastructure and implementing innovative solutions, the Foundation has empowered villagers to reclaim their agricultural heritage, thus paving the way for sustainable development. To date, the Foundation has fully completed a total of six projects in the villages of Aknaghbyur, Sarigyugh, Achajur, Chinari, Aygehovit-Vazashen, and Berdavan with a combined investment of  $580,532 USD. Additionally, seven more projects are currently underway in the villages of Koghb, Khashtarak, Bagradashen, and Vazashen.

The positive impacts of these projects are widespread. Farmers once limited by inadequate water supply are now enjoying thriving crops and significant yield increases, which in turn revitalizes the local economy. “Water scarcity was always a challenge, but we managed to raise our children and grandchildren despite it. Now, this new system has become our salvation. This will make life much easier for future generations, ensuring that our families can remain here, rooted in our community,” said the matriarch of a family in Tavush, who wished to remain anonymous. Improved access to clean drinking water has also reversed migration trends, with families who had left searching for better opportunities now returning, inspired by renewed prospects in their homeland.

Watering trough, Sarigyugh village, Tavush province

Sustainability and Future Plans

"The difference is night and day. We used to spend hours each day just collecting enough water to survive, but now, we can irrigate our fields and grow enough food to support our families," shares another grateful villager in [Aknaghbyur]. These stories of change and gratitude are common among the beneficiaries of the foundation’s initiatives.

The H. Hovnanian Family Foundation is committed to the long-term sustainability of its water projects. Continuous maintenance and monitoring ensure that the benefits of these initiatives endure, providing a reliable water source for generations to come. Plans for expanding these efforts underscore the foundation's dedication to meeting immediate needs and securing a prosperous future for the Tavush communities.

Thanks to the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation, the future holds promise and possibilities for Tavush’s border villages. As more families return and reclaim their livelihoods, and others decide to stay and grow their families because of improved water access, the restorative power of water continues to serve as a beacon of hope, guiding the way toward a brighter and more secure tomorrow.

Pumping station in Achajur village, Tavush province

***

Since the Foundation’s establishment in 1986, H. Hovnanian Family Foundation has earmarked over $97 million for hundreds of initiatives and projects for charitable, educational, scientific, cultural, and other related purposes with a primary focus on assisting Armenian communities worldwide as well as organizations in Monmouth and Ocean Counties in the state of New Jersey.