Jump to content


Photo

Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief


  • Please log in to reply
1 reply to this topic

#1 man

man

    Member

  • Banned
  • PipPipPip
  • 846 posts
  • Gender:Not Telling

Posted 02 February 2014 - 06:58 PM

Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief

http://www.soar-us.o...ws.html#prelate

http://www.soar-us.org/



#2 man

man

    Member

  • Banned
  • PipPipPip
  • 846 posts
  • Gender:Not Telling

Posted 15 February 2014 - 09:55 AM

Ric Gazarian had his own way to help the orphans of Armenia, in the article "A world traveler and humanitarian" Feb. 10, 2014, by Tom Vartabedian, we read:
 
All said and done, it's Gazarian's work in Armenia that has set him apart. He spends months volunteering at the Zatik Orphanage and an after-school group in Yerevan.

He also spent eight months volunteering at an orphanage and homeless shelter in Thailand. But it's the Armenian experience that has left him with an indelible impression.

His first visit in 2003 came with his dad. It was a pleasure trip. He met an Armenian woman working at the hotel who encouraged him to work for USAID, thus planting a seed.

Gazarian already had a traditional career in the financial industry, but no vacation time per se. He hooked up with Jason Demerjian, founder of the Armenian Volunteer Corps, and moved to Yerevan the following year, renting a studio apartment in the center of Yerevan on Sayat Nova Street.

Gazarian soon found himself at Zatik Orphanage caring for 120 children (ages 6-18) and teaching them English. His efforts were also being spent at the Manana Center, an after-school group where children learned about photography, journalism and film.

As a gesture of gratitude, he organized a Zatik Fest --- a carnival for the kids with horse rides, cotton candy, ice cream, clowns, music and a moon bounce.

Since 2003, Gazarian has made annual trips to Armenia to spend time at Zatik and Manana. And each time, the Zatik Fest is part of his itinerary. Every dram comes out of his pocket.

"When they turn 18, it becomes more difficult to stay in touch with the children," he notes. "They leave the orphanage and proceed on their own across the land. Facebook and e-mail make it easier to stay connected. Last year, I hooked up with 10 former students and we spent the day bowling."

A moment he'll never forget was visiting an 18-year-old graduate in her new home after being placed out of Zatik. As she gave Gazarian a tour of her room, there was an enlarged photo of the two of them covering the wall. It was taken the day of a Zatik Fest in 2005.

"The lesson is important, small gestures can mean a lot," he points out. "Take the time to make the extra effort, the extra phone call, the extra e-mail and extra visit. It pays off in the end."

Like others making return trips to Armenia, Gazarian is impressed with the building that's taken place --- the trendy European-city look in Yerevan.

"What really matters is seeing how people live and prosper with so much less than the average person in America," he says.

His work "7000 KM to Go" traces a 17-day journey he took in 2010 where he drove from Budapest to Yerevan. The rally called "Caucasian Challenge" went through 11 countries covering the 7000 kilometers.

"We were competing against 10 other teams," he recalled. "When I learned about the rally and saw that it ended in Yerevan, I knew I had to participate."

His team raised $9,000 for the Armenian Volunteer Corps. The real winners were the children of Zatik and Manana.
More: http://www.reporter....d-humanitarian-






0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users