[FAR PRR]: Dr. Edgar Housepian To Be Honored on January 15th

The Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) will honor one of its founding members, Dr. Edgar M. Housepian, at a gala banquet in Manhattan on January 15, 2010. The event also will mark FAR’s 20th anniversary. His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, will preside.

Dr. Housepian, a renowned neurosurgeon and professor, will be recognized for his many contributions to medicine, and for his involvement in the relief and medical efforts in Armenia. Click here to read more about Dr. Housepian’s work.

Dr. Edgar Housepian

Credit: Julie Dermansky

[CME]: Beneficiary Stories – Sergey Gasparyan

Dr. Sergey Gasparyan is one of the many physicians who was able to make a difference in his community after participating in FAR’s Continuing Medical Education Program (CME).  We were fortunate to catch up with Dr. Gasparyan in September 2009, during his visit to Yerevan as part of the CME Program.

Born in Kapan in Syunik, Sergey completed his studies in 1998 and was employed as a pediatrician in the hospital of town Kajaran, in his native region. “At the beginning of 1990s, during the Karabagh War there was urgent need for anesthesiologist in our region,” remembered Sergey.  Therefore, in 1992, Sergey decided to participate in a six-month training program at the National Heath Institute in Armenia, receiving qualification as an anesthesiologist with an expertise in resuscitation.

Sergey During His Training

Credit: FAR Staff

After returning to Kapan, Sergey worked at the local health center as an anesthesiologist, and was given the opportunity to be a part of our CME program. Commenting on the program, Sergey noted “One of the noticeable differences is that FAR’s training program is free, and therefore affordable for physicians from the regions. Another important difference was the serious and responsible approach of the physician-leader/lecturer.”

Sergey recalled an interesting story from his CME experience:

During his time in the program, a serious accident had taken place in Dilijan, requiring the attention of an experienced physician from the capital. Emil Vardapetyan, a trainer from the CME program who was also a physician in Yerevan, was called to the task.  Sergey was the mentee of Dr. Vardapetyan at the time, and together they visited Dilijan.  Sergey was honored to be part of this emergency service, and he regards his acquaintance with other physicians from various Armenian regions as one of the most important achievements of CME.

Sergey With Other CME Trainees

Credit: FAR Staff

[Educational Grant Program]: Beneficiary Haykaram Avetisyan

Haykaram Avetisyan finished Yerevan secondary school #161 and in 2006, he was accepted to the Armenian State University of Economics. “When I discovered that I was admitted to the paid educational system of the university, I couldn’t believe my eyes,” he told us.  Haykaram lives with his mother, and he was just five years old when his father left them. Haykaram’s mother worked as an accountant at Nairit factory, and thus managed to raise her son alone and finance his education. However, she herself needed assistance due to a handicap.

In order for Haykaram to attend university, they would have to pay the tuition fee of 400,000 AMD (over 1,000 USD).  Just when the boy had made a decision to leave the university, his mother noticed an announcement for FAR’s Mathevosian Scholarship Program posted at the university. Haykaram applied to the Program, and was selected as a beneficiary. Additionally, since he has received excellent grades for three consecutive years at the University, as a fourth-year student he now studies in the free educational system. Haykaram receives FAR’s monetary stipend of 80,000 AMD to cover his living expenses and assist his mother.

Haykaram Avetisyan Draws the Supply – Demand Curve

Credit: FAR Staff

Haykaram is interested in more than just economics -  he attends dance classes and is fond of R&B and Hip-Hop. Currently, he is a member of the “ARAI” dance troupe and balances this interest alongside his interest in economics. “I do my best to keep the balance,” confessed Haykaram.  He is currently working on a project to organize a televised dance competition in Armenia. The aim is to discover talented young dancers.

In a nutshell, Haykaram Avetisyan takes both dance and economics very seriously.  FAR is delighted to help a stellar student like Haykaram pursue his studies while maintaining his extracurricular interests and supporting his mother.

Studying for Success

Credit: FAR Staff

[Educational Grant Program]: Providing Educational Opportunities

As a result of FAR’s “Mathevosian”, “Gulamerian”, “Ounjian”, and “Sayan” scholarships, as well as other FAR education programs, nearly 400 young girls and boys have an opportunity they would not otherwise have:  the chance to study at state universities and colleges. “This is FAR’s contribution into the future of our youth” says Levon Lachikyan, FAR’s Press Secretary in Yerevan.

On October 23, 2009, a Press Conference dedicated to FAR’s Educational Programs was held at the FAR Yerevan Office. Mr. Lachikyan discussed FAR’s evolution with respect to the types of assistance it offers Armenian citizens.  Years ago, FAR was known primarily as an organization investing in humanitarian aid to Armenia. However now FAR holds a leading position in the spheres of education and science.

FAR’s educational and scientific programs coordinator Eduard Karapetyan presented the educational programs, and discussed the student selection procedure and requirements. He mentioned that students are not selected merely as a result of their socioeconomic status, but also as a result of excellent academic progress and a strong desire to study.  Thanks to this consistent approach, the academic progress of the students improves year by year. This year, 24 excellent students (20 undergraduate, 4 graduate-master degree students) received full scholarships.

Eduard Karapetyan and Levon Lachikyan
at FAR’s Press Conference

Credit: FAR Staff

[Project Smile]: Lenten Drive netted $7,500 for Project Smile

The annual Sunday School Lenten Drive of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America netted more than $15,000 in 2009, to be shared equally with FAR’s Project Smile and UNICEF’s anti-malaria bed net campaign. Students put their heart and soul into raising these precious funds, participating in sports-a-thons, Bible verse-a-thons, Easter basket sales, spaghetti dinners, and a host of other personal and community efforts that gave Lenten almsgiving a decidedly 21st-century spin. Especially popular this year were creative posters and custom-designed collection canister

Sunday School funds helped launch the Fund for Armenian Relief’s Project Smile two years ago, and this year’s second contribution promises to give an additional boost to the surgical program for children with cleft palates. UNICEF’s drive to provide families worldwide with life-saving anti-malarial bed nets likewise proved an inspiring cause to Sunday School staffs, students, and families.

Superintendent Marsha Alabachian
with students from the St. James Sunday School
in Watertown, MA, during the Lenten Drive season

Beneficiary Potraits

Boys at FARs Children Center in Yerevan

Credit: Felix Arustamyan

[Meet Our Staff]: Emil Vartapetyan, CME Trainer

Trainer physicians play a critical role in the CME program, and are instrumental to its success. With patience and devotion, the training physicians share their experience and knowledge with their colleagues from the outer regions of Armenia. Emil Vartapetyan is one such CME trainer.  He is the Head of the Anesthesiology and Reanimation Department of Yerevan “Kanaker-Zeytun” Medical Center. Since the inception of the CME Program, Emil has been involved in training participating physicians, and has therefore worked closely with FAR. Over the past five years, nine physicians have been trained under his supervision.

Emil Vartapetyan

Credit: FAR Staff

Emil’s grandmother has been the Head of Yerevan Republican Pediatric Hospital for nearly 40 years, and she inspired her grandchild to enter the medical profession. After graduating from Yerevan State Medical University, Emil went on to complete his PhD and has worked in various medical institutions throughout Yerevan

When FAR asked Emil what he gets out of participating in the program as a trainer, Emil responded “My interest is to be helpful and bring benefit to a community. I also find it a valuable opportunity to establishing new relationships and partnership.” Thanks to the FAR CME program, Emil Vardapetyan has become acquainted with numerous colleagues from hospitals located outside of Yerevan. As a result, he often receives calls from these hospitals and offer guidance in difficult medical situations.

During our visit to the Kanaker-Zeytun Medical Center, Emil showed us the equipment that FAR has donated over the past few years. Thanks to the availability of these advanced technologies, the quality and effectiveness of medical care in Armenia have greatly improved. Professionals like Emil make FAR’s CME program is so successful. We are honored to have the participation of physicians like Emil, who work hard every day to improve the quality of healthcare in Armenia.

Emil at work at the
Kanaker-Zeytun Medical Center

Credit: FAR Staff

[CSFC]: Australian Psychotherapist Visits Children Center

Earlier this month, CROC hosted Mrs. Shushann Movsessian, the Australian psychotherapist and author of Puberty Girl. Mrs. Movsessian prepared a one-day workshop for CROC staff. The workshop focused on the development and treatment of girls ages 9‐12. This fun, practical and informative session provided a valuable opportunity for the Children’s Center staff to learn about some of the intricacies of working with preteen girls, especially with respect to the physical, mental and emotional changes experienced by this age group.

Shushann Movsessian

Credit: FAR Staff

[CASP]: 206 Beneficiaries Receive Financial Stipends

In early October, FAR was proud to send its own Margarit Piliposyan along with CASP Program Coordinator Eduard Karapetyan to visit the Syunik region of Armenia.  There, Margarit and Eduard distributed the 100 USD stipends to the 206 beneficiaries of this year’s CASP program.

CASP Distribution in Syunik

Credit: FAR Staff

During the visit, Margarit and Eduard were happy to meet with many of the beneficiaries and their guardians. The 50 beneficiaries who were fortunate enough to take part in the “Siranush” summer camp expressed special thanks to CASP and FAR for their financial support. Margarit and Eduard also visited some beneficiaries in their homes in Meghri.

Through CASP (Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program), FAR is able to positively impact the lives of some of the most destitute children in Armenia.   However, there are still children that apply for CASP funding but remain unsupported due to lack of contributions.  Since the distribution to each child is only 100 USD, a little help can go a long way.  Please contact FAR if you are interested in sponsoring a child.

CASP Beneficiaries in Meghri

Credit: FAR Staff

Beneficiary Portraits

Friends at FARs Summer Camp in Hrazdan

Credit: Celine Kaladjian