WHO ARE WE

We are a volunteer group of American Armenians with diverse backgrounds. We have no religious or political affiliation and we do not pursue any ideology other than to help the people of Armenia and Artsakh. All donors are members. The active members are called the "organizing committee". Everyone is welcome to join. 

HOW WE OPERATE

PICKING THE PROJECTS

We choose projects mostly in remote villages of Armenia and Artsakh. We fund the projects based on need and urgency. We generally concentrate on rebuilding community infrastructures and helping people remain on their land.  The projects we fund are within $40,000 unless a benefactor comes forward to donate for a project of higher value.  Past 17 years we have funded only 3 projects from $50,000 to $120,000.

PLANNING THE PROJECTS

FOA’s representatives in Armenia and Artsakh communicate with the heads of the community. We require the people of the village to get involved in the planning and execution of their  project. This is done by having the village head, or the community head to agree in advance, that the government will sponsor the required simple labor, such as painting, or digging the ground, or other simple labor. The FOA will organize to procure the required material, and also take care of expert labor. A list of materials needed and cost for expert labor is prepared. Based on these estimates of material and labor FOA makes a decision to fund the project. FOA requires an official letter of request from the local authorities and secure their help before the start of any project.

To start the project, our representative buys the material and hires the expert labor. The community provides the manual labor force. The supervision is performed by our representative or a trusted individual who works with FOA. Often a member of the organizing committee is on location to guide the project and handle the money. 

INSPECTION

Once the project is completed, our representative approves the job and makes the final payments. Both the local authorities and the FOA representative must approve before the project is considered done.

A plaque with FOA logo is prepared and displayed near the entrance of the building. The writing on the plaque is both in English and Armenian. (See the sample below)

OPENING

If the project is a building that has an opening day, a member of the FOA organizing committee (often a delegation of members) join the opening ceremonies. 

FOLLOW UP

All FOA projects are subject to inspection time to time by the members of the committee or our representatives in Armenia to assure that it is still functional and maintained. If needed, we will devote resources to help with repairs. 

HISTORY

OF "FRIENDS OF ARMENIA"

THIS IS THE 27 YEAR HISTORY OF "FRIENDS OF ARMENIA" (aka HAYRENIK MIYUTYUN), FROM SEPTEMBER 1992 - SEPTEMBER 2019.

VISION

It all started with an inspiring vision: that our national independence must be preserved at all costs, and that the people of the diaspora have the profound obligation to help their fatherland whenever possible. Armenians all over the world must organize and take initiative to help both Armenia and Artsakh survive the economic hardship that is forced upon them.

MISSION

“For almost 80 years, we craved for an independent Armenia crying with the songs while promising ourselves that if we ever have independence again, it will not be compromised.” With these words on September 11, 1992 in the Montebello Tumanjian hall, Varujan Karian touched us all and moved us to establish an organization that was named “Hayrenik Miyutyun,” aka "Friends of Armenia". 

The muse behind Varujan’s charged state of mind was an articulate and forceful man named Sarkis Hatspanyan, who later volunteered to serve as our representative in Armenia and Artsakh. Sarkis knew the potential of Armenians in the diaspora, because he recently had immigrated to Armenia from France to participate in the liberation of Artsakh. He became the enabler of our mission. 

Establishment of the Friends of Armenia brought together Armenians from many countries who call America home. Many Armenians from Russia, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Armenia, Iran, and Iraq joined in. 

The logo for the organization. In the center of the red, blue, and orange flag is the four hands held together in friendship inside a circle with L A written on the bottom right corner. Our logo was designed by the artist Samvel Sevada.

PROCESS

A few ground rules were established and became the core principles of this organization. 

1. Organization should concentrate doing projects only in Armenia and Artsakh.

2.   Find the most effective and direct way to provide assistance to people who need help.

3.   Collected funds must be transferred to Armenia/Artsakh and put to use as soon as possible.

4.   All requests for help by the people and governments of Armenia and Artsakh will be considered and acted upon if within the budget of the organization.

5.   The organization will do its utmost to rebuild institutions, infrastructure and provide tools and equipment to villages. Funds may be distributed to orphaned families and the poor, providing that the distribution is direct and fair.  

6.   We will cooperate with other organizations regardless of their political or denominational affiliations.

7.   Members who travel to Armenia for FOA business will do so voluntarily and pay for it themselves. No member would be compensated for his or her services.

8.   Anyone who wants to join and help is welcome. Meetings will be open to the public. There would be no mandate to serve any terms or obligation to become a member.

9.   Our accounting and finances would be open to the public.   

The transparency of the process and purity of its vision inspired everyone, growing the membership of friends of Armenia within six months to over 400. 

MEMORIUM

Tragically, on May 28, 1993 Friends of Armenia lost its inspiring founder. Varujan Karian passed away, leaving a void in the organization.  

Varujan Karian’s farewell funeral was one of the most heavily attended in the history of Montebello (USA). 

Sarkis Hatspanyan who inspired us to start this organization and helped move the organization forward passed away on January 20, 2018. He lays at rest in 3 Hills (Yerablur) cemetery in Yerevan where all war heroes and national officials are buried.

Over the next 27 years we lost several members who believed in, and worked for, the organization. We miss them all dearly.

FOUNDERS

The founding members of FOA are Varujan Karian, Parunak Celikian, Hagop Bashmakian, Yervant Donigian, Sushan Vartanian, Hratch der Stepanian, Hovsep Soibatian, Berj Mechechian, Bedros Gagosian, Mardiros Soibatian, Kenny mosikian, Ralph Sarkisian, Hagop Aliksanian, Gayane Karian, Harry Sarkisian, Levon Kirakosian, Norayr Aliksanian, Leo Hovanesian, Karekin Goncu, Pakrat Asikian, Samuel Karay, Karlen Goryan, Simon Karian, and Garbis Nishanian.

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

Having the flexibility to finance a variety of projects, along with our involvement in construction planning and supervision, was an effective way of keeping project costs at a minimum. Over the years, many individuals have come to join the organizing committee and do their best to lend a helping hand. One person stands alone in that regard however. Levon Thorose, who joined FOA in 1998 and has been one of the most active members of the committee. Levon has not only shown the commitment to take on difficult projects, but he has provided the fire needed to keep us active and has managed to recruit other organizations to help us accomplish the tasks on hand. 

In 1993, FOA received non-profit status from the internal revenue service thanks to our friend and well-known attorney Levon Kirakosian, who was instrumental in drafting the bylaws and forming the structure of the organization.

From the very beginning all the secretarial and accounting  had been on the shoulders of Gayane Karian, who for 9 years kept the records. The day to day activities have been managed by Hagop Aliksanian. The accounting system is maintained by Parunak Celikian and then Olga Kirakossian.  The financial reports are Managed by the CPA Harout Hamassian, who has voluntarily been doing our taxes and acting as our  agent on record since 1994. His office is the address of record for FOA's legal communications.

Here, we should acknowledge the people responsible for the organization's annual booklets, calendars, videos, advertisements, website design and maintenance. Silva Beurklian Nasr, Sevan Aliksanian, Raffi Zinzalian, Siran Alexandrian, and Sarkis Topalian.

Our organization in Armenia and Artsakh is registered under the name of “Hayastani Paregamner branch of Hayrenik Union of USA”.  In 2002 Sarkis Hatspanyan resigned as our representative to pursue personal endeavors. Alexander Tamanyan (a well respected scientist, war hero and the grandson of Yerevan’s main architect) accepted the responsibilities. Unfortunately in 2004 Alexander passed away. Since then, Ashod Boghosyan, Viken Avedian, and Lusine Azoyan have served as FOA representatives in Armenia. Sergey Tadevosyan is our representative in Armenia from 2007 to present. Vahram Kevorgyan has been our representative in Artsakh from 2007 to present. Since 2003 we depend on Garbis Nisanian (who moved from Los Angeles to Yerevan in 2001) to oversee the distribution of funds. 

RESULTS

During the past 27 years more than 180 major and minor projects have been completed. We sent and distributed 80 containers of food, clothing, construction materials, medical equipment and supplies, school and hospital furnishings, as well as emergency vehicles, furniture and electronic equipment. The total value of these projects to date is over $4.8 million dollars.

We've also provided monetary assistance to universities for scholarship, to scientists for research, to villages in Artsakh to purchase fuel, to schools for the purchase of books and supplies, and to the authorities in Artsakh for various items needed for national security. We shipped 2 jeep vehicles for goods distribution, 2 passenger vans for summer camps, an ambulance for a hospital, a paramedic unit for the city of stepanagerd and a storage trailer for Armenia’s emergency services.

We built a high school in the Gusabad village of Artsakh, which was named after our founder Varujan Karian. We sent 2 flour mills, one to Hatrud and one to Mardagerd. We renovated schools in Sisian, Ardashad, Charentsavan, Echmiazin, Gatnaghbyur, Aykepar, Vardablur, Tumanian and Hovdashen. We furnished summer camps in Vanadzor, Dilijan, and Sushi. We built a new hospital in Araler, which was named after the donor’s son Bedros Akpulat. We sent 2,000 boxes of school supplies, 5,200 pairs of shoes, 470 computers, 48 metric tons of food, 2,600 boxes of clothing and blankets, 650 boxes of medical equipment and supplies, five dental chairs, 12 boxes of dental tools and hundreds of chairs and tables.

Additionally, we have shipped two 40-ft containers full of lumber and construction materials, doors and windows. We have also donated $208,000 for the purchase of food for the Summer Camps, $48,000 to the ‘All Armenia fund’ for roads in Artsakh. We renovated three hospitals near yerevan and 67 homes in Karegah, Mrkavan, Araler, Sous, and Tsmagahogh. We provided the funds to perform cleft lip operations on 37 children.

We built or renovated 9 Medical Clinics, 10 Community Centers, 14 Kindergartens and 4 Schools. We purchased 17 homes for poor families. We provided community contributions for 8 large projects built by ATDF (Armenian Territorial Development Fund) mainly funded by World Bank and Government of Armenia. We reconstructed a building in the city of Mardagerd to help children advance in Arts and Sciences. The new center is called Hatspanyan Youth Center for Advancement of Arts in his memory.

We have taken the opportunity presented to us by the us humanitarian programs to ship large quantities of school supplies, lab equipment, scientific equipment, farming equipment, books, school furnishings, clothing, blankets and many other supplies.

To distribute the goods to remote villages of Armenia and Artsakh, we shipped two off-road vehicles to Armenia. To transport students attending the Gusabad school we purchased a school bus that is now donated to the Tufenkian foundation for use as a mobile computer lab. 

In order to report on the projects and give the details of the annual accounting, our annual dinner dance has also been the stage for our annual membership meeting. The booklet produced every year is a testimonial of our accomplishments and a presentation of our finances.    

We have operated on a shoe-string budget and directed almost all the donated funds to the humanitarian purposes for which they are intended. We have done our best to purchase goods at great discounts or have had them donated. 

We have accumulated an impressive video library of goods distribution, inspection visits, TV appearances and testimonials. Even though we have done some TV clips for informational purposes, we have done very little advertising. We have relied only on the disseminated information during the dinner dances.

THE PEOPLE

During the past 27 years, we have had a lot of support from people. These volunteers did their best to help keep with the spirit of the organization. They understood the value of their service and they demonstrated their love for their homeland. It is virtually impossible to mention them all but we can not resist to include a few that stand out.

In Armenia and Artsakh we had help from Sevag Arzruni, Garo Israelyan, Arch. Sebuh Chuljian, Arch. Barkev Mardirosyan, Armen Sarkisian, prof. Kurken Melikian, Artush Soghomonyan, Marine Bedoyan, Dr. Alik Yesayan, Antranik Aydinyan, Anyuda Khachatryan, Melsida Kardumyan, Simon ter Simonyan, Kevork Galstyan, Ardavast Galstyan, Khachig Khachadryan, Lilit Atajanyan, Mary Matosian, Tsovinar Ghazaryan, Ashot Hovanisyan, Vladimir Grigoriyan, Erik Grigoryan, Nani Oshkanian, Asbram Zarukyan, Ashot Kirakosyan, Mher Azoyan, and Armen Aloyan.

In USA we had help from Herman Celikian, Raffi Huverserian, Dr. Arto Ersan Hacerian, George Katcherian dvm, Ronald Gabriel, Ralph Mosikian, Nune Sarkisian, Gohar Der Stepanian, John Kazanjian, Jack Mazmanian, Randal Knar, Paul Mahmouzian, Art Kazarian, Vahe Akpulat, Miran Poladian, Nouritza Abujamra, Antranik Kasbarian, Markar Melkonian, Gayzag Zeytlian, Koko Kalajian (cigar Koko) , Takvor der Stepanian, Cesar Chekijian, Ralph Sarkisian, Vartkes Barsam, John Gabriel, Vahe Kazandjian, Miran Mahmouzian, Vartan Jangozian and Lena Kaimian.

Organizations and businesses that helped in our mission or contributed financially include the Holly Cross Cathedral, St. Sarkis Church, St Mary Church, Armenian Society of Los Angeles, Monte Melkonian Fund, Bolsahay Miyutyun (Organization of Istanbul Armenians) , Zaratsi Compatriot Org., Tbrevank Alumni, Anahid Org., Siera Jewelry, United Armenia Fund, Commerce Casino, Del Rey Restaurant, Nasa, St Vincent Deli, Bridger Controls, Varna Jewelry, V & A Jewelry, Wilma Jewelry, Asik Jewelry, Advanced Jewelry, Loran Diamonds, KNC Diamonds, Commercial Waste Disposal, Los Angeles United Investment Corp., and Armenian Lighthouse Foundation.

Over the years many individuals and families have made substantial donations towards our cause. The people who consistently donated over the past 27 years include … Ronald and Gohar Gabriel, Garabet and Mariam Akpulat, Bedros and Anna Oruncakciel, Garabet and Mariam Yerelek, Arman and Silva Akarakian, Vahe and Chouchan Akpulat, Etil Anan, Ann Aroian, Ohannes and Seta Avedikian, Arto and Tanya Badem, Hagop and Anoush Barin, Vartkes and Jean Barsam, Vahram and Polina Biricik,  Dikran and Arpi Dalian, Karekin and Hilda Daron, Arto and Rose Ersan Hacerian, Agavni Hidirsah, Haig and Jean Kelegian, Mark and Annett Kosker, Sarkis and Valia Kumjian, Garo and Agavni Kurian, Hacik and Irma Madilian, Sebuh and Sirpuhi Madoian, Saro and Anoush Marukian, Mike and Lidia Minasian, Agop and Madlen Terzian, Misak and Rita Topalian, Osep and Rita Tokat, Dikran Sarkisian, Kevork Sarkisian, Sarhad and Nune Sarkisian, Raffi and Dede Sarkisian, Boris and Olga Kirakosian, Sahak and Vartuhi Tuna, Hirant and Alis Rakijian, Kirkor and Armenuhi Reisian, John Kazanjian, Misak and Hermine Canli, Yesayi and Rita Baljian, Simon and Hilda Acilacoglu, Pakrat and Hilda Asik, Sukyas and Anahis Chakarian, Kirkor and Filor Celik, Asadour and Anahid Chilingirian, Yetvart and Arlet Corluyan, Vartan and Sonia Fundukian, Edward and Tamara Nizamian, Mirican and Ani Guregian, Garo and Seta Hatun, Hampar and Marietta Karakesis, Samual and Aznif Karay, Avedis and Zepure Kasabian, Toros and Silva Migirdichian, Gulbenk and Nadia Movsesian, Raffi and Zoya Mosikian, Murat and Delfin Sherinian, Avedis Tekolian, Vahe and Armav Urun, Sebuh and Levontin Tomacan, Harutyun and Arpi Tokatlian, Gayzag and Zepure Mosikian, Harry and Angel Sarkisian, Hagop and Alisa Bashmakian, Parunak and Silva Celikian, Hagop and Zepure Aliksanian, Mahmouzian Brothers, Harutyun and Shushan Vartanian, and Vartkes and Mary Najarian.

FUND RAISING

Virtually all funds received by FOA are from individuals and small businesses. Most donations are in the $100-$1000 range, but a few sizable donations have been received to fund special projects.

Even though the 1993 dinner dance was canceled due to the death of Varujan Karian, the plan for a fund raising event continued and on january 29, 1994 FOA had it’s first fund raising event in Aghazarian Hall. During the event, with Shushan Vartanian as the main speaker, we managed to collect donations raising the total income to $47,800.   

Since then we had 20 annual dinner/dance events. The guest speakers include Sarkis Hatspanyan, Archbishops Barkev Mardirosian, Archbishop Sebuh Chuljian, Garo Israelian (mayor of Abovian), Garo Ghazarian, and Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian who has supported us from the very beginning. The net income from all dinner dances has been 1.2 million dollars.

The masters of ceremonies, who have done a great job in keeping the guests invigorated, are Shushan Vartanian, Osheen Keshishian, Hagop Zerunian, Hagop Bashmakian, Alin Donigian, Parsegh Kartalian, and Ankine Mouradian. The owners and operators of the locations we hold our dinner dances (the Aghazarian hall in Pasadena, the Ojagh banquet hall in north Hollywood, Palladio banquet hall in Glendale, Bolsahay miyutyun hall in Winnetka, Baghramian hall in Montebello, and Aurora Banquet Hall in Tujunga) have all been very cooperative and supportive of FOA. Our friends Mihran Sasounian, Krikor Hovanesian, and Ara Berberian and Salpi Aylian have catered several of our dinners.   

The ad-book campaigns turned out to be the most effective way of  fund raising. Even though we all did our best, the majority of the funds were from the jewelers in downtown Los Angeles, which were the results of three hard working individuals; Yervant Donigian, Osep Ardic, and Parunak Celikian. Outside of this, Kenny Mosikian, Gayane Karian, Ralph Sarkisian, Harry Sarkisian, Norayr Aliksanian, Karekin Goncu (Daron), Garo Kurian, and Garo Hatun also have worked to help raise funds.  

Donations have been received from many individuals and businesses. The largest amounts have been donated by the United Investment Corp., Akpulat Families, Commerce Casino, Vartkes Barsam, Garabet Yerelek, Mark Kosker, Sarkisian Brothers, Tamara Nizamian, Bedros Oruncakciel, and Ronald Gabriel.  

The most memorable dinner dance was the March 22, 1997 event, when Yervant Donigian proposed naming of each classroom of Varujan Karian school for the sponsors during the dinner dance. With Hagop Zerunian as MC, we created an atmosphere where classrooms were sponsored by Hrant and Alis Rakijian, Simon and Hilda Acilacoglu, Sarkisian Brothers (Sarhad, Dikran and Kevork), Bedros and Anna Oruncakciel, Stepan and Nadia Gozumian, Albert Karamanoukian, Norayr Aliksanian, Osep Ardic, Araxie Madoian, Barouir Grigorian, Nazo Chekijian and Satenik Moloyan. The United Investment corp. sponsored the gymnasium. 

FOA has also received donations for special projects, in lieu of flowers donations, calendars, birthdays, and other donations. All monetary donations from 1992–2019 total $2.6 million dollars.

PROJECTS

In the beginning we concentrated on helping the orphan families of Artsakh, as well as sending food and clothing. To help the farmers grow food we appropriated funds for seeds and fuel. When the war in Artsakh ended in 1994, we supplied building material and began planning to rebuild the infrastructure, all while sending vital goods from Los Angeles.   

All funded projects completed by FOA within the past 27 years are listed in the project pages. Some of the other projects that FOA  did not incur any cost or the cost was borne by others are  ….  

BOOTS FOR THE WINTER

On an urgent request from the government of Artsakh we sent 3,000 pairs of boots, snow shoes, and hundreds of communication supplies to be used by medical teams and field engineers distributed via Barkev Sirpazan (primate of Artsakh Diocese).

AMBULANCE

It all started with a phone call from Mr. Hagop Zerunyan in June of 2009, that his son, Honorable Frank Vram Zerunyan wants to donate a fully operational ambulance to Yerevan’s St. Gregor Lusavorich hospital, lead by Dr. Ara Minasyan. The ambulance was initially donated by McCormick Ambulance Company in honor of Rolling Hills Estates mayor Zerunyan.  

FOA agreed to send the vehicle as long as the transfer of paperwork was completed and the lincy foundation agreed to provide a 40 ft container for shipping. FOA took over the vehicle in a ceremony at the McCormick lot in Hawthorne in July 2009, and shipped the vehicle along with other goods in August. The ambulance has already been delivered to the recipient and it is currently in operation. 

CONTAINER OPERATIONS

In the beginning of 1993 the US government sponsored a container shipment program called “Operation Winter Rescue” to help the CIS countries with food, clothing and other humanitarian supplies they desperately needed. This was a people-to-people initiative where the government paid for the cost of transportation and provided safe delivery of the goods to the destination country. FOA took the opportunity and made the first such shipment on February 10, 1992 from a yard in Montebello graciously provided by Mrs. Adrine Sarkisian to whom we are very grateful. This historic shipment included all the clothing we had collected and 34 metric tons of rice we had purchased. Three containers were filled by the FOA volunteers and shipped to Armenia. The FOA logo (originated by Samvel Sevada) was painted on one of the containers by Karlen Goryan and was proudly displayed. 

In 1993 Armenia and Artsakh had severe food shortage. FOA decided to send 8 containers of Rice from Riceland, located in state of Arkansas (USA). To make this operation a reality members Varujan Karian, Norayr Aliksanian, Parunak Celikian, and Hagop Aliksanian traveled to Arkansas and witnessed the loading and paid for it. The factory filled the containers with quarter million pounds of rice in FOA marked bags. The US state department program "Operation Winter Rescue" paid for transportation and logistics.

From then on the container loading operations became a part of FOA’s activities. Each year at least 3 more containers were shipped carrying clothing, food, school supplies, hospital and medical supplies and other humanitarian supplies as appropriate and requested by the recipients in Armenia and Artsakh. As of 2002 we started shipping the containers provided by the United Armenia Fund located in Glendale. Working with Harut Sasounian and Nouritza Abujamra, we managed to ship 26 additional containers to Armenia and Artsakh. All the costs for rental and transportation of containers, as well as logistics, were paid for by UAF (funded mostly by the Lindsey Foundation). 

The loading operations took place in lots provided to us by the following members, donors and friends; Adrine Sarkisian, Krikor Azarian, Parunak Chelikian, Zora Danielian, Art Kazarian, Phil Pace, and Ronny Gabriel.  

Over the 22 years FOA has shipped 72 containers to Armenia and Artsakh. The last container was shipped on December 15, 2015. Lindsey Foundation was shut down and FOA could not afford to pay $ 8000 transportation costs. The lot in Montebello, California where the container filing operations were staged and the inventory stored belonged to Ron Gabriel who graciously allowed FOA the use of the place for free for many years. The lot has since been returned to the owner. Therefore FOA stopped its container operations as of January 2016.

Many volunteers have worked diligently to collect, purchase, sort, pack and load these containers over the years. Gayane Karian, Harry and Angel Sarkisian, Kenny Mosikian, Armen Soibatian, Levon Thorose, Shushan and Harry Vartanian, Hratch and Kohar Der Stepanian, Nshan Oganesian, Karlen Goryan, Osep Ardic,  Hagop and Zepure Aliksanian, Norayr Aliksanian, Hagop and Alisa Bashmakian, Parunak and Silva Chelikian, Setrak Kirec, Sevan Aliksanian, Berj Aliksanian, Garen Aliksanian, and Kristina Badem. All have been instrumental to make the operations succeed. FOA has also been involved in a few joint operations with the Monte Melkonian Fund, lead by Monte’s brother Markar Melkonian. Through this partnership FOA shipped much needed hospital supplies to Armenia. With the armenian engineers and scientists of America, led by Pedro Zarokian, FOA shipped computers to our motherland. We have also been working with Zuhrab and Seta Ghazarian of the Armenian Lighthouse Foundation to ship clothing.

PROOF POSITIVE

Several members of the committee and prominent members of the organization made personal and group visits to Armenia and Artsakh to witness the distribution of goods and monitor the progress made on FOA sponsored projects, as well as to get first hand information of where the help is needed the most. 

The first visitor to Artsakh was Hagop Bashmakian, who went there to deliver humanitarian aid on behalf of the Medical Outreach Org. and as a member of FOA. While there, Hagop made an urgent plea for equipment that was needed desperately.  

The second person visiting was Garbis Nishanian, who in july of 1993 joined Sarkis Hatspanyan for the rice distribution operation in Artsakh and in Armenia.  His visit was videotaped and the goods distribution (both food and clothing) have been shown to be fairly and equitably distributed as planned.

The third group consisted of Harry Sarkisian, Ralph Sarkisian and Leo Hovannesian, who went to Artsakh in October of 1993 while the liberation struggle was still in motion. They brought back the first live pictures and video of the people talking about the conditions in those villages. The videos helped us understand the severity of the situation while introducing the faces of these proud and brave people. Their visit not only helped accomplish a few small projects on the spot, but gave us the reasons we needed to move ahead more vigorously.   

The fourth visitors from FOA were Hagop Aliksanian, Norayr Aliksanian, and Hovsep Soybatian in 1994, just after the ceasefire was declared. This visit had a specific purpose in Artsakh, which was to join the opening ceremonies of the Varujan Karian memorial fountain built by the soldiers with materials purchased by FOA. This visit gave us the opportunity to establish a special relationship with the people of Mardagerd region and especially with the villagers of Gusabad, Moghratagh, and Aghabegalench where FOA had been providing money and goods to help the farmers.  

The following visit by Hagop Bashmakian, who visited the school construction site in Gusabad with Gurgen Melikian in 1996, was also well documented and the videos he brought back with him showed the stage of construction and the difficulties under which the work continued. The school building was designed by Architect Vartan Jangozyan.

The next visit to Armenia by a large group of FOA committee members included Harry and Angel Sarkisian, Hagop and Zepure Aliksanian, Hratch and Kohar Der Stepanian, Gayane Karian, Yervant Donigian, Osep Ardic, Parunak Chelikian, and Levon and Shoghik Thorose. Who all visited Gusabad to attend the opening of Varujan Karian school. 

The following FOA members and donors from Los Angeles (Karekin and Hilda Goncu, Bebo Ishanian, Simon and Hilda Acilacoglu, Arsen Guleserian, Toros and Zarman Kazanci, Yetvart Khacatourian, Reymon Hallacoglu, Ari Ozohanian, Asadour and Anahid Chilingirian, Ani Tashjian) joined in the ride to Mardagerd for the opening of Varujan Karian school in Gusabad. Guided by Sarkis Hatspanyan, this large group of US residents not only inspected the school that was built with their contributions, but had the opportunity to dine with the people of Artsakh and took back a lot of memories, which will be told, to their friends, children and grandchildren for many years to come. Considering the conditions of the roads, lack of decent hotels, absence of some food and lack of toilet facilities, the warmth of the people of Artsakh and the expressions of appreciation in their eyes and their words more than made up for all the discomfort experienced.

Many successful visits were made to Mardagerd, Hatrud and other areas of Artsakh by Levon Thorose on behalf of FOA. One visit was almost entirely devoted to the distribution of clothing to many villages using the bus FOA had purchased for the Gusabad school. Levon and his wife Shoghik spent many days going village to village distributing the clothing. On his 2nd and 3rd visits in early 2000, and again 2001, Levon brought back pictures and videos showing the installations of the flour mills in Mardagerd and Hatrud. He also made some official contacts on behalf of FOA with the proper authorities to plan for our future projects in Artsakh. Levon’s visit to several schools and villages in Armenia and Artsakh provided FOA the information needed to commit to other worthwhile projects, including the major undertaking of a hospital construction in Araler. 

Subsequent visits were made by Hagop Bashmakian, Hagop Aliksanian, Garbis Nishanian, Parunak Celikian, and Osep Ardic to Artsakh in the year 2000 in order to see the flour mills in operation and find out about the progress made at the Gusabad school, as well as establish management in Hatrud mill. The trip accomplished its mission and the report to the committee provided the information for appropriate action by the organization.  

In 2001 Hagop Bashmakian and Norayr Aliksanian made a visit to Vanadsor where FOA had sent all the furnishings for the Zizernag summer camp operated by bishop Sebuh Chuljian of the Gugark diocese. They also visited the city of Abovian and helped the mayor Garo Israelian distribute $3,000 in FOA funds to the needy families. 

Visits by Hagop Aliksanian and Hagop Bashmakian were made in 2002 to Artsakh for inspection of Araler houses constructed with FOA funds by an organization called Aghedyats Yergir, represented by Sevag Arzruni, and a surprise was visit made to the Gusabad school to see if the building was well maintained. In Armenia the Vanadsor camp was visited and furnishings were inspected in their installed locations. Sebuh sirpazan has worked miracles in turning this old building into respectable living quarters for the children.  Abovian was visited to verify that the cultural center was re-roofed as planned with FOA financing. The mayor Garo Israelian had delivered what he promised by rebuilding the roof of this massive building within the budget. A school in the Malatya/Sepastia district was visited (as requested by the New Hope Organization who donated $2,000 specifically for some renovations in this school). In Meghri, FOA provided funds to build a structure to dry apricots. Various other locations were visited to see if the projects for which financing have been requested are worthwhile projects. 

Since 2002 FOA delegations made visits to Artsakh and villages of Armenia, some of which are border regions. We were represented during the opening of Araler hospital, Gatnaghbyur community center, and Vardablur kindergarten. We paid several visits to Karegah during home renovations, as well as to Aykepar and Vanadzor. Every year at least one group of FOA members makes a surprise visit to past and present project locations. Levon Thorose, Hagop Aliksanian, Hagop Bashmakian, and Parunak Celikian are the most frequent delegation members. Shushan Vartanian, Osep Ardic, Harry Sarkisian, Setrak Kirec, Hratch Der Stepanian, Silva Beurklian Nasr, and Vahe Kazanjian have also been part of delegations. 

A few youth members of FOA have also visited Armenia during our computer distribution project, including Sevan Aliksanian, Burag Celik, Garen Aliksanian, Hrant Minasian, and Andrew Kapamajian. These youth members helped distribute and setup 240 computers, which they had prepared and shipped from Los Angeles.  

The visits by the members of the organization established a very important precedent for verification. The first means of verification includes letters and receipts from the people responsible for the use of the funds, the second includes pictures and videos to show the results, and the third is verification by a member of the organization who gives his eyewitness report. These processes must continue in order for the donors to feel confident about trusting their money to the organization for use in worthwhile projects. 

Looking forward

Looking forward, Friends of Armenia must test its cultural resourcefulness and tenacity to help build a strong Armenia. We want to build on our experiences and successes of the past decades, to overcome challenges and test our limits in attaining objectives that exceed the expectations of our patriots who are looking to us for leadership.  The trust and confidence of everyone has been earned and our resolve has been tested. We have done that by establishing a transparent operation with the interest of the fatherland always in mind.  

As both the economic and political climate …. of Armenia and Artsakh is improving and the people are becoming more self reliant, the expectations and the needs are rising. We must multiply our efforts more to rebuild many schools, hospitals, cultural centers, shelters for the homeless, and help finance key elements of infrastructure such as water ways and roads. For now, the condition of the majority of all schools and hospitals are in dire need of help. In most cases the roofs and the toilet facilities of these institutions are in terrible condition.  

Unfortunately, the government does not have plans to fund these projects anytime soon. Continued rain damage is making the buildings uninhabitable, and lack of sanitary facilities is a major threat to health. Most of these buildings have no budget to purchase new furnishings or upgrade systems.  

Friends of Armenia must set its objectives with specific goals for its future on a scale that will have a profound effect helping build a strong fatherland in this 21st century. Help is needed to draft such a vision, and with a suitable plan, financing and organization we can execute this vision. But first …. We must believe