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Get a new life, sponsor a child
by Tom Vartabedian
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2012-08-16-get-a-new-life-sponsor-a-child-
Published: Thursday August 16, 2012
Child at Zadik Orphanage on the outskirts of Yerevan. Tom Vartabedian
For the price of a candy bar each day, you can provide substance for
an orphan child in Armenia. You can bolster a youngster who has led a
rather demoralizing life and give them a foundation upon which to
build their dreams.
For less than a buck a day, you can make the difference in a student's
life that, in turn, makes a difference in your life and the life of
the world around you.
I'm on a meaningful soap box today, making a pitch for the orphan
children of Armenia. Those of you who are familiar with the charity
can concur with me. Those who are not might want to pay some notice.
Much too often we see our dollars rift away into oblivion and see no
tangible results. We open up our wallets and checkbooks, send out a
contribution, and wait to repeat that gesture another day. On
occasion, you will receive a simple acknowledgement. But more often
than not, your money disappears into a vacuum.
The other day, I walked past the bulletin board of my church and saw
an eye-catcher on the bulletin board. In fact, I noticed several
eye-catchers. There tacked onto the board were 10 letters from orphans
being sponsored by the church.
Now, they weren't all from one organization but sprinkled throughout
the Sunday and Armenian Schools, Men's Club, Ladies Guild, Board of
Trustees, and others who are inclined. Several individuals have also
complied with sponsorships of their own.
I have not --- as yet --- and must be admonished for my negligence.
That shall change very soon.
I will have two options. I could go through the Armenian Relief
Society. Their Sponsor A Child program began 20 years ago to assist
children who have lost at least one parent in the 1988 earthquake
which rocked Armenia or victimized in the Nagorno-Karabagh liberation
struggle.
For $200 a year, you will be connected with a struggling child.
Letters will be exchanged. Photos will enhance the correspondence. One
day you may even meet after that child turns 18 and is no longer in
need of assistance. No doubt, you will be showered with gratitude.
The ARS also provides an Orphan Education Fund for students 18 years
and older to assist with their higher educational motives and make
them productive citizens of their communities.
The second appeal is sponsored by the Armenian Prelacy where that sum
is a scant $225 a year or 62 cents a day. Looking at the faces of 15
bright and beautiful faces on the promotional flyer would warm the
cockles of anyone's heart, especially during the next holiday season.
I cannot think of a better gift.
The letters speak volumes.
One arrived from Karen Albert Khatchatryan, a fifth-grader from Kaban,
who lost her dad. The mother doesn't work and a sister is also in
arrears. They wrote to say how much they appreciated the sponsorship
and the good that it has done their family.
Another is from Ani Mousayelian and she lives in a far-away village of
Kacharan in Zankezoor. Her desire is to stay in school and further her
education. A picture of her in a yellow and black dress sitting in a
field presents a striking pose.
Another named Nevart has four brothers and a sister. The family is
obviously burdened, yet Nevart wants to become a nurse some day and
help the less fortunate of Armenia.
"My mother doesn't know I'm writing for help," she says. "This was my
father's wish but he is no longer with us. We are not going to lose
hope as long as we have sponsors like you."
A mother and her grieving son Marat are shown holding a photograph of
their husband and father. He was killed in the fighting at
Nagorno-Karabagh.
"I want to be a lawyer some day," writes Marat. "Right now, I cannot
leave my mother since I'm her only son."
A fifth-grader named Menoushak writes to inform her sponsors that she
is doing well in her studies and has remained in school through their
generosity.
Another just graduated from high school and continuing her studies to
become a computer operator.
"I hope someday you can come and visit me in person," writes Nevard,
whose letters are written in both languages."
Gut-wrenching words to say the least -- some of them perhaps
sugar-coated to appease the reader. Only by being there in their midst
of turmoil might you really see the dire conditions.
A school I visited recently wanted to assist the country of Armenia in
some way. I gave them a form to pursue and students there took up a
collection and sponsored a child annually.
Last I heard, it's been a gratifying experience on both ends.
by Tom Vartabedian
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2012-08-16-get-a-new-life-sponsor-a-child-
Published: Thursday August 16, 2012
Child at Zadik Orphanage on the outskirts of Yerevan. Tom Vartabedian
For the price of a candy bar each day, you can provide substance for
an orphan child in Armenia. You can bolster a youngster who has led a
rather demoralizing life and give them a foundation upon which to
build their dreams.
For less than a buck a day, you can make the difference in a student's
life that, in turn, makes a difference in your life and the life of
the world around you.
I'm on a meaningful soap box today, making a pitch for the orphan
children of Armenia. Those of you who are familiar with the charity
can concur with me. Those who are not might want to pay some notice.
Much too often we see our dollars rift away into oblivion and see no
tangible results. We open up our wallets and checkbooks, send out a
contribution, and wait to repeat that gesture another day. On
occasion, you will receive a simple acknowledgement. But more often
than not, your money disappears into a vacuum.
The other day, I walked past the bulletin board of my church and saw
an eye-catcher on the bulletin board. In fact, I noticed several
eye-catchers. There tacked onto the board were 10 letters from orphans
being sponsored by the church.
Now, they weren't all from one organization but sprinkled throughout
the Sunday and Armenian Schools, Men's Club, Ladies Guild, Board of
Trustees, and others who are inclined. Several individuals have also
complied with sponsorships of their own.
I have not --- as yet --- and must be admonished for my negligence.
That shall change very soon.
I will have two options. I could go through the Armenian Relief
Society. Their Sponsor A Child program began 20 years ago to assist
children who have lost at least one parent in the 1988 earthquake
which rocked Armenia or victimized in the Nagorno-Karabagh liberation
struggle.
For $200 a year, you will be connected with a struggling child.
Letters will be exchanged. Photos will enhance the correspondence. One
day you may even meet after that child turns 18 and is no longer in
need of assistance. No doubt, you will be showered with gratitude.
The ARS also provides an Orphan Education Fund for students 18 years
and older to assist with their higher educational motives and make
them productive citizens of their communities.
The second appeal is sponsored by the Armenian Prelacy where that sum
is a scant $225 a year or 62 cents a day. Looking at the faces of 15
bright and beautiful faces on the promotional flyer would warm the
cockles of anyone's heart, especially during the next holiday season.
I cannot think of a better gift.
The letters speak volumes.
One arrived from Karen Albert Khatchatryan, a fifth-grader from Kaban,
who lost her dad. The mother doesn't work and a sister is also in
arrears. They wrote to say how much they appreciated the sponsorship
and the good that it has done their family.
Another is from Ani Mousayelian and she lives in a far-away village of
Kacharan in Zankezoor. Her desire is to stay in school and further her
education. A picture of her in a yellow and black dress sitting in a
field presents a striking pose.
Another named Nevart has four brothers and a sister. The family is
obviously burdened, yet Nevart wants to become a nurse some day and
help the less fortunate of Armenia.
"My mother doesn't know I'm writing for help," she says. "This was my
father's wish but he is no longer with us. We are not going to lose
hope as long as we have sponsors like you."
A mother and her grieving son Marat are shown holding a photograph of
their husband and father. He was killed in the fighting at
Nagorno-Karabagh.
"I want to be a lawyer some day," writes Marat. "Right now, I cannot
leave my mother since I'm her only son."
A fifth-grader named Menoushak writes to inform her sponsors that she
is doing well in her studies and has remained in school through their
generosity.
Another just graduated from high school and continuing her studies to
become a computer operator.
"I hope someday you can come and visit me in person," writes Nevard,
whose letters are written in both languages."
Gut-wrenching words to say the least -- some of them perhaps
sugar-coated to appease the reader. Only by being there in their midst
of turmoil might you really see the dire conditions.
A school I visited recently wanted to assist the country of Armenia in
some way. I gave them a form to pursue and students there took up a
collection and sponsored a child annually.
Last I heard, it's been a gratifying experience on both ends.