Fuller Center, Marriott Armenia partner for rural housing project

Published: Wednesday September 01, 2010

Fuller Center and Marriott Hotel volunteers.

Yerevan - Armenia Marriott Hotel 20 staff members joined Fuller Center for Housing Armenia beneficiary family Davtyans at the building site in the village of Ashnak, Aragatsotn region by celebrating the start of "Millard Fuller Legacy Build 2010" week, during which 100 homes will be dedicated around the world, 2 of which - in Armenia.

Armenia Marriott Hotel associates including management and staff were in the village of Ashnak to help build a house for a disadvantaged family. The staff members were glad to take the opportunity to help Davtyans family to build the first house and raise their children in safe and healthy conditions.

Nerses and Varduhi Davtyans with their 2 small children share living space with Nerses' parents and his brother's growing family in a small, old house.

Nerses started to build a house for his family but the financial difficulties hampered the construction. Thanks to sponsors and volunteers by winter the family will move into a new house.

This mission was initiated and developed by Millard Fuller in 1976 with his wife Linda. Today in remembrance to Millard Fuller's philanthropic initiative Fuller Center for Housing is carrying on the annual Millard Fuller Legacy Build event.

The partnership among Armenia Marriott Hotel and Fuller Center for Housing Armenia started in 2009. Fuller Center for Housing Armenia believes that the core values of Marriott Inc. are in line with its core values, as both of them are widely involved in community developing activities.

Sub-standard housing is all too common in Armenia. Many families live in deteriorated housing, in cramped quarters with inadequate water and heat. These families are unable to purchase their own homes, as they do not have sufficient income to save and pay for the entire house cost upfront.

Fuller Center for Housing Armenia provides these families long term interest free loans encourages volunteers to join the beneficiary families build with them shoulder to shoulder.

"Every year we look forward to this cherishing activity as we are sure that with joint efforts and involvement we can help a family to start a better and more convenient life. This is one of the many initiatives that we become part of in the scope of our Spirit to Serve our communities actions as we pledge that every community will be a better place to live and work because we are there. This is a core value that Marriott International and our hotel proudly act upon and we want to set example for community involvement that our business partners, guests and other stakeholders will want to emulate", said Ami Miron, the General Manager of Armenia Marriott Hotel.

It is very encouraging to see that a corporation like Marriott hotels involved in Fuller Center for Housing Armenia projects with one aim - to make the life better in our communities. We trust that this joint build day with the Marriott hotels will be serving as a great example to help our families in need. And it is very symbolic that a leading lodging company is assisting for those who need a safe roof.