In 2009, UNICEF defined child poverty as “one of the most acute manifestations of human poverty”. In Armenia, it is one of the most critical problems facing a large portion of the younger generation, particularly in rural areas. Growing up in poverty can lead to malnourishment, it can hinder a child`s development, and it may typically lead to life-long problems.
In the wake of UNICEF`s disturbing report, FAR launched the Ararat Child Poverty Reduction Program in 2013 to decrease Armenia`s child poverty rate. Its success has been made possible by FAR supporter Arpine Hovnanian of Evanston, Illinois.
Through the provision of targeted assistance to children and their families who are at risk, the program links its beneficiaries with the services most beneficial to them like adequate shelter; psycho-social rehabilitation and counseling; critical healthcare services; legal assistance; and sustainable livelihood training opportunities.
The long-term intervention originally focused on struggling families with three or more children living in the towns of Masis and Artashat in Armenia’s Ararat Province. Leaning upon the expertise of the FAR Children`s Center in Yerevan, which is the leading child protection facility in Armenia, as well as FAR’s experience in supporting children’s healthcare development, the project management experts were able to not only identify the most vulnerable, at risk children, but also within short period of time to develop a plan that would offer the most appropriate way out of poverty and poor health to each child and their family – individually. FAR envisioned serving an average of 130 families (more than 400 children) over the first 5-year term of the project. As of 2015, FAR has already identified 111 families who need critical support and intervention.
While the ultimate benefits and impact are long-term, already the program is making a difference in the lives of beneficiaries. Anjela Avagyan, whose daughter Ani has cerebral palsy, was so appreciative of what the program has done for her daughter (and ultimately her entire family) that she published a thank-you letter to Mrs. Hovnanian in the local newspaper. An unedited translation of the abstract of that letter is below:
…The situation was real tragedy for our family. And the happiest day in my life was when I “met” with you. It changed our family life. By your kind contribution and with the help from the Fund for Armenian Relief and Arabkir Medical Center, the necessary palliative surgery was arranged, which made available my daughter Ani to move, to dress, to help herself to go to the toilet – by herself. Of course, she is not cured completely from her disease, but this was already a miracle.
God bless you. I wish you a lot of health as you gave health to my child!
Now Ani’s eyes are shining, she has confidence, she feels like every simple human being should. Every time looking at her, I bless you….
I wish no other mother and child in the world feel all of this, but however if it happens, I wish them meet kind and generous people like you who would stretch the magic hand to the needed ones….
FAR`s mission is to help the most vulnerable and provide them with the support they need to overcome challenges and become productive, independent Armenian citizens. The goal of the Ararat Program is to improve the health and well-being of the children who need it the most, and to empower them and their families to sustain themselves and lead better lives.
Mrs. Hovnanian has stood in solidarity with FAR on the development and implementation of this program. Through the “Arpine and Arda Hovnanian FAR Charitable Trust”, she has made significant contributions toward the improvement of children`s health and well-being in Armenia. Ms. Hovnanian dedicates her generous contributions to the program in memory of her son Ralph Rafi Hovnanian. FAR is honored to have her support.
“In order to strengthen Armenia all of its children need to have their basic needs met, along with a foundation of health, education, community and family. They are the ones who will push society forward,” said Dr. Hambardzum Simonyan, FAR Healthcare Programs Coordinator. “We are fortunate to have a visionary benefactor like Mrs. Arpine Hovnanian, who supports a program that is empowering this generation and giving them the opportunity to live the most productive lives possible.”
