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Projects - Orphan Fund
Provisions for those left to struggle
From 1988 to 1994, the Armenians
of Nagorno-Karabakh fought a defensive war in order to defend their homes, families
and their historic homeland from Azeri aggression. In the process, over 10,000
Armenians, mostly men, either lost their lives or were disabled, and their families
were left with virtually no means to survive.
The Orphan Fund was created
to assist the families of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives to secure the
independence of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia Fund USA is providing assistance to
a total of 8,000 children. Each family receives a monthly payment of 2000 drams
or approximately $5. While this is a small amount by Western standards, it helps provide for
the basic needs such as clothing, food and school supplies.
Armenia Fund
has arranged for monthly payments to be distributed to the orphans through the
Armenian Central Bank. The funds are sent to the local post offices where they
are handed over to the surviving parent or legal guardian. The Orphan Fund has
been providing much needed assistance to families in Nagorno-Karabakh since 1999.
Funds are typically added to an investment bank, from which families are supported
through interest. Large donations can be directly allocated to the orphans upon
patron’s request.
Thanks to generous contributions by Hirair and Anna
Hovnanian, the Armenians of France, the late Ms. Ohanessian and the late Lillian
Terchoonian Trust, over $875,000 has been raised towards a target goal of $1.5
million.
“It is our sacred duty as Armenians to help our orphans
so that they will be able to help themselves one day. Let us be very clear: this
is not a matter of charity, but a duty.”
-Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
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