Tweet
FAMILIES IN SHINUHAYR GET REAL MEDICINE FOUNDATION SUPPORT
by Nairy Ghazourian
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2012-09-10-families-in-shinuhayr-get-real-medicine-foundation-support-
Published: Monday September 10, 2012
Real Medicine volunteers with locals in Shinuhayr.
Shinuhayr, Armenia - "You give but little when you give of your
possessions. It is when you give of yourself that give you truly"
said the Lebanese American poet Kahlil Gibran.
This adage holds true for my good friend Shant Minas, a long-time
supporter and advocate of Real Medicine Foundation (RMF's) work in
Armenia and now his circle of friends who are here with us not only
to give of their possessions but also of themselves and their time
to the most destitute families in Shinuhayr, Armenia.
As I was preparing to depart for Armenia, Shant Minas phoned me one
night and said: "Nairy jan- a group of my friends and I will be there
around the same time as you and we're planning to go to Tatev, Syunik.
Tell me, what can we do for Shinuhayr? The guys are ready to do what
it takes." Touched and inspired by Shant's request, I contacted RMF's
project coordinator on the ground, Stella Arzumanyan and asked for
a list of most needed items for the clinic and the families. In her
reply, Stella's unequivocal recommendation was FOOD. The families
need food Nairy jan- She said. Food is very expensive these days and
the majority of socially disadvantaged families usually have four to
six kids and perishable food would be most appreciated and valued by
them and the children.
So FOOD it is we said.
In the early morning hours on August 12, I met Shant and the rest of
the group in front of the famous "Shawerma" restaurant on Sayat Nova
street in Yerevan. Our van accommodated nine, and the van before us
seated the rest of our group; five young men from San Francisco. On
our way to Syunik, we made our two famous stops at Khor Virab,
then Noravank. Of course, not to deviate from our famous Armenian
tradition, 30-minutes post Noravank, we stopped at an ethnic restaurant
on the river and broke bread, toasting to life, friendships and to the
"resurrection of a new and prosperous Armenia." The spirits were full
of hope and passion. We shared stories and ideas of how each one of us
in our own unique way can help and add value to the motherland. With
such high spirits, we arrived in Goris around 9pm and checked into
the Mina hotel.
Now, it was time to get down to business and ask the group for
their heartfelt donations. Within ten minutes, Shant Minas and Armen
Davoodian collected $815.00 equivalent to 335,000 Drams. Within minutes
thereafter, RMF's coordinator Stella was at our door to pick me up to
go purchase the food, have it packed and delivered to the Shinuhayr
clinic to be distributed the next day by these Good Samaritan friends
of RMF.
We spent two and a half hours at the supermarket in Goris that night.
The amount raised allowed us to purchase 1.5 months' food supply for
30 most vulnerable families. Each bag contained two large cans of lard
(yough), four (1.5 L) bottles of sunflower oil, a large bag of rice,
pasta, vermicelli, lentil, barley, granulated sugar and sugar cubes.
Within minutes, we had taken over the entire market. Boxes and cases
were being opened to accommodate our needs. The locals that came in to
shop were looking in amazement and suddenly the talk of the town late
at night became: "They are moving the supermarket to the hospital!"
People offered to help and within two hours we had 30 large yellow
bags, one for each family ready to be delivered to the clinic. We
hired two taxies and Stella took care of the rest.
Early the next morning, after the most delicious and organic
breakfast of eggs, cheeses and home-made bread and raspberry jam,
we headed to Shinuhayr's clinic. We were greeted by the staff and
designated members of the 30 families. The clinic's head physician
thanked RMF and friends of RMF for all their support throughout the
past 3 years and emphasized the impact RMF is making in Shinuhayr and
its surrounding seven communities. One of our group members, Edwin
Babadjanian, an endodentist by profession was interested to find out
about the dental services available to the community and was saddened
to hear that dental care was completely unavailable until nine months
ago when ARS donated a dental chair with minimal supplies. Today,
few who can afford to pay for their services are able to receive
minimal care. However, the lack of running water at the clinic, a
fully equipped dental office and funds make it impossible to provide
services to the community at large, especially children.
As Dr. Babadjanian leaned over to lift a yellow bag to personally give
to the first family in line, he was emerged in deep thoughts trying to
figure out how he can help the dental health situation in Shinuhayr...
next were Shara Nazarian and his lovely wife Suzan greeting the next
family in line. Each person in the group took time to speak to the
family members, exchange their thoughts and engage in the experience
of making a difference in someone's life that truly needs it.
The families were very happy and many of them were in tears as they
expressed their gratitude. As we prepared to say our good- byes a
middle aged woman, a beneficiary of RMF's monthly stipend for medicine
approached me, held my hand and with tears and prayers on her lips
thanked us for supporting her healthcare needs. Inspired and touched,
we headed back to our van.
As we drove away from the clinic, there was still silence in the van.
Everyone reflected on their experience. They felt how each and every
single one of them, in their own small or big way were able to put
a smile on the face of a person in need. Aside from their monetary
donations to supply the food, these young men and women gave of
themselves and their time sowing seeds of kindness. But most of all,
they gave Hope. And Hope is what inspires and keeps the candle burning.
On behalf of the Real Medicine Foundation, I'd like to thank Shant
and his brave and kind circle of friends for touching the lives of so
many in Shinuhayr and igniting the flame of hope among its people. And
HOPE... is a good thing.
"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when
you give of yourself that give you truly" said the Lebanese American
poet Kahlil Gibran.
by Nairy Ghazourian
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2012-09-10-families-in-shinuhayr-get-real-medicine-foundation-support-
Published: Monday September 10, 2012
Real Medicine volunteers with locals in Shinuhayr.
Shinuhayr, Armenia - "You give but little when you give of your
possessions. It is when you give of yourself that give you truly"
said the Lebanese American poet Kahlil Gibran.
This adage holds true for my good friend Shant Minas, a long-time
supporter and advocate of Real Medicine Foundation (RMF's) work in
Armenia and now his circle of friends who are here with us not only
to give of their possessions but also of themselves and their time
to the most destitute families in Shinuhayr, Armenia.
As I was preparing to depart for Armenia, Shant Minas phoned me one
night and said: "Nairy jan- a group of my friends and I will be there
around the same time as you and we're planning to go to Tatev, Syunik.
Tell me, what can we do for Shinuhayr? The guys are ready to do what
it takes." Touched and inspired by Shant's request, I contacted RMF's
project coordinator on the ground, Stella Arzumanyan and asked for
a list of most needed items for the clinic and the families. In her
reply, Stella's unequivocal recommendation was FOOD. The families
need food Nairy jan- She said. Food is very expensive these days and
the majority of socially disadvantaged families usually have four to
six kids and perishable food would be most appreciated and valued by
them and the children.
So FOOD it is we said.
In the early morning hours on August 12, I met Shant and the rest of
the group in front of the famous "Shawerma" restaurant on Sayat Nova
street in Yerevan. Our van accommodated nine, and the van before us
seated the rest of our group; five young men from San Francisco. On
our way to Syunik, we made our two famous stops at Khor Virab,
then Noravank. Of course, not to deviate from our famous Armenian
tradition, 30-minutes post Noravank, we stopped at an ethnic restaurant
on the river and broke bread, toasting to life, friendships and to the
"resurrection of a new and prosperous Armenia." The spirits were full
of hope and passion. We shared stories and ideas of how each one of us
in our own unique way can help and add value to the motherland. With
such high spirits, we arrived in Goris around 9pm and checked into
the Mina hotel.
Now, it was time to get down to business and ask the group for
their heartfelt donations. Within ten minutes, Shant Minas and Armen
Davoodian collected $815.00 equivalent to 335,000 Drams. Within minutes
thereafter, RMF's coordinator Stella was at our door to pick me up to
go purchase the food, have it packed and delivered to the Shinuhayr
clinic to be distributed the next day by these Good Samaritan friends
of RMF.
We spent two and a half hours at the supermarket in Goris that night.
The amount raised allowed us to purchase 1.5 months' food supply for
30 most vulnerable families. Each bag contained two large cans of lard
(yough), four (1.5 L) bottles of sunflower oil, a large bag of rice,
pasta, vermicelli, lentil, barley, granulated sugar and sugar cubes.
Within minutes, we had taken over the entire market. Boxes and cases
were being opened to accommodate our needs. The locals that came in to
shop were looking in amazement and suddenly the talk of the town late
at night became: "They are moving the supermarket to the hospital!"
People offered to help and within two hours we had 30 large yellow
bags, one for each family ready to be delivered to the clinic. We
hired two taxies and Stella took care of the rest.
Early the next morning, after the most delicious and organic
breakfast of eggs, cheeses and home-made bread and raspberry jam,
we headed to Shinuhayr's clinic. We were greeted by the staff and
designated members of the 30 families. The clinic's head physician
thanked RMF and friends of RMF for all their support throughout the
past 3 years and emphasized the impact RMF is making in Shinuhayr and
its surrounding seven communities. One of our group members, Edwin
Babadjanian, an endodentist by profession was interested to find out
about the dental services available to the community and was saddened
to hear that dental care was completely unavailable until nine months
ago when ARS donated a dental chair with minimal supplies. Today,
few who can afford to pay for their services are able to receive
minimal care. However, the lack of running water at the clinic, a
fully equipped dental office and funds make it impossible to provide
services to the community at large, especially children.
As Dr. Babadjanian leaned over to lift a yellow bag to personally give
to the first family in line, he was emerged in deep thoughts trying to
figure out how he can help the dental health situation in Shinuhayr...
next were Shara Nazarian and his lovely wife Suzan greeting the next
family in line. Each person in the group took time to speak to the
family members, exchange their thoughts and engage in the experience
of making a difference in someone's life that truly needs it.
The families were very happy and many of them were in tears as they
expressed their gratitude. As we prepared to say our good- byes a
middle aged woman, a beneficiary of RMF's monthly stipend for medicine
approached me, held my hand and with tears and prayers on her lips
thanked us for supporting her healthcare needs. Inspired and touched,
we headed back to our van.
As we drove away from the clinic, there was still silence in the van.
Everyone reflected on their experience. They felt how each and every
single one of them, in their own small or big way were able to put
a smile on the face of a person in need. Aside from their monetary
donations to supply the food, these young men and women gave of
themselves and their time sowing seeds of kindness. But most of all,
they gave Hope. And Hope is what inspires and keeps the candle burning.
On behalf of the Real Medicine Foundation, I'd like to thank Shant
and his brave and kind circle of friends for touching the lives of so
many in Shinuhayr and igniting the flame of hope among its people. And
HOPE... is a good thing.
"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when
you give of yourself that give you truly" said the Lebanese American
poet Kahlil Gibran.