Page 4 - AMAANewsJulyAugSept2021_Neat

With the Motherland

Next to the Motherland

By Hranush Hakobyan*

e live in a difficult period of triots’ trust in the Homeland increased, as and Community Center in Yerevan, with
modern Armenian history. evidenced by their charitable initiatives and its exemplary teaching staff and planned
Our most important treasure the growth of investments in Armenia and activities of the School’s administration, is
W̶ the security and territorial Artsakh. Although we cannot attribute all proof of that goal. Textbook printing and
integrity of the Publishing of Armenia ̶ is these changes to the years 2018-2021, when the provision of free books are significant
endangered. Our Homeland is shrinking. We many established structures were destroyed, contributions to education. Systematic sup-
have lost much of Artsakh. We have sacrificed and mutual relations were unjustly severed, port is provided to kindergartens, orphan-
the blossoming youth of the country. there were organizations that continued their ages, nursing homes and schools, where in
For the past 30 years, during both activities at the cost of great efforts. Among addition to the financial assistance, renova-
happy and sad times, the Armenian Diaspora them is the AMAA Headquarters in Armenia. tion and improvement works are carried
always stood by the Homeland, celebrating Today, there are dozens of AMAA of- out. Currently the AMAA in Armenia and
victories or reaping the bitter fruits of defeat, fices in different regions of Armenia and Art- Artsakh finances and operates four kinder-
supporting Armenia with its structures sakh supporting and caring for the material gartens. Free courses in English, French and
and organizations, and its benefactors and and spiritual needs of the Armenian people. computer skills were also held for different
talented people. One of these organizations Its mission is to contribute to the well-being levels at the AMAA Yerevan Center and at
is the Armenian Missionary Association of of the people of Armenia, and to help im- regional offices.
America (AMAA). prove the lives of its citizens by providing fi- The financial support provided by the
Soon after the independence of the nancial and medical assistance to the needy, AMAA to needy families is very important.
Republic of Armenia, this charitable providing educational and cultural services, They stand by the sick and helpless, children
organization established its branch in providing assistance to the unemployed, and elderly, Syrian-Armenians, those af-
Armenia and has carried out its humanitarian and paying special attention to the children. fected by the earthquake, and the deprived
mission with complete devotion. It should be noted that AMAA Armenia and needy, and it helps alleviate worries of
Congratulations on the AMAA’s 30th also secures employment for the unem- socially incapacitated large families. This is
Anniversary in the Homeland! ployed providing jobs for about 480 people demonstrated by the activities of charitable
Some of the descendants of the Arme- in the face of such high unemployment and soup kitchens which mitigate the issues of a
nian people, who survived the Armenian poverty rates. Through its lawful work, cold winter for those caught in the clutches
Genocide, settled in faraway America where AMAA Armenia contributes to the improve- of poverty.
Armenian Evangelical Churches founded ment of people’s lives in about 40 regions The AMAA, through its Armenia
the AMAA, sowing such healthy seeds, in Armenia and Artsakh, by implementing branch, provides assistance to the Armenian
which matured, became strong and bore various programs. AMAA’s efforts to cre- Army and to our soldiers, which is needed
fruits. In addition to its diligent activities, ate jobs in various fields are commendable. more today than ever. All their initiatives
the Association engaged in the preservation Thanks to the Association, soon after the are characterized by people-centeredness,
and strengthening of the Armenian national earthquake 15 home-made carpet workshops quality service, efficiency and commitment
identity, charity and the spread and develop- were set up in Gyumri. And in the village to work and ideas.
ment of Armenian culture. of Mayakovsky, Kotayk region, a livestock Due to my work as RA Minister of
The AMAA was active after the 1988 farm was set up and the income from the Social Security, Chairman of the National
earthquake, when the Association provided products alleviated the material needs of Assembly Committee and RA Minister of
assistance to the disaster regions with food, families and solved some of their financial Diaspora, I have always cooperated with the
clothing, medicine and medical equipment. problems. In addition, the AMAA provides AMAA and its office in Yerevan. We have
For 103 years, the Association has medical care and services to the needy. After implemented many programs together. I
not only been operating and implementing the earthquake, a free charitable medical have especially singled out the fact that the
charitable programs, but also spreading center was established in Spitak in coopera- people who work there, the presidents of the
its branches in different parts of the world tion with the Union of Armenian Doctors of Association throughout the years and the
and fulfilling its commitment to Armenian France and another one in Vanadzor with a ministers, who are national, patriotic figures,
communities. children’s center on the same grounds. are honest, principled, never give up on their
After 30 years, we can state that in One of their key areas of activity is promises, carry out projects, have high moral
the multi-layered fabric of the Diaspora helping young girls and women with their qualities, and carry national values. They
and Homeland, strong ties were created, education and cultural development. The are pleasant to work with and are effective.
structures were developed and our compa- Khoren and Shooshanig Avedisian School (Continued on the following page Ò)

4 | AMAA NEWS, July-Aug-Sept 2021