By Gayane Gevorgyan

For years, members of the community have generously volunteered their time at Vanadzor Old Age Home (VOAH). Recently, stylists Kristine and Lena from Diana Beauty Salon spent the day here pampering some of the residents. 

Thanks to the salon’s generous Director Anahit Baghdasaryan, staff members have visited VOAH in the past to wash, cut and style the residents’ hair on holidays and other special occasions. Last week’s visit truly brightened everyone’s day and lifted spirits. We look forward to next time. 

Lusvard and Hasmik Grandmothers with Diana Beauty Salon Stylists

Beauty Salon stylists cut and style the
Vanadzor Old Age Home Residents’ hair 

Credit: Gayane Gevorgyan

Vanadzor Old Age Home building in spring

Credit: Felix Arustamyan

By Gayane Gevorgyan
 
On March 25, AmeriCares’ Eurasian Partnerships Deputy Director Hanna Taylor accompanied FAR Armenia Branch Deputy Director Margaret Piliposyan and FAR Health Programs Coordinator Hambartsum Simonyan on a visit to FAR’s Vanadzor Old Age Home (VOAH). The purpose of the visit was to get better acquainted with VOAH’s activities and see how the organization could better provide support to residents. 
 
With VOAH Director Tigran Kocharyan, the guests discussed a great number of issues. Hanna was interested in the needs of the residents and expressed readiness to help them within the framework of their organization’s capacities by providing hygienic supplies and other necessary goods.
 
The guests were entertained by residents Roza Badalyan and Varsik Aslanyan, who presented them with gifts and written impressions of life at VOAH.

Tigran Kocharyan, Hanna Taylor, Hambartsum Simonyan &
Margarit Piliposyan (from left to right)

Discussions with Tigran Kocharyan at VOAH

The Guests Meet with Grandma Varsik 

The Guests Meet with Grandma Rosa

Credit: Gayane Gevorgyan

By Gayane Gevorgyan

They entered Vanadzor Old Age Home (VOAH) hand in hand, just as they had lived all their lives. By God’s will they had one son, to whom they gave an education. He eventually married and had a daughter. But after suffering from serious health problems, he and his family were forced to sell their apartment and leave Vanadzor for Moscow, where he could access proper medical treatment. “Grandpa” Vardges, 94,  and “Grandma” Mariam, 89,   suddenly found themselves left alone to endure the hardships of life. Moving into VOAH was their solution and until recently, they were its oldest residents.

A World War II veteran, Grandpa Vardges returned from the war injured, but he had always managed to hold decent employment. Obeying the wish of her husband, Grandma Mariam never worked. She managed the home, raising their son and then their grandchildren. For two years, the elderly couple awaited their son’s visit from Moscow. When at last their son and granddaughter came back to Vanadzor, Grandpa Vardges died the following day. As always, Grandma Mariam followed her husband, passing a week later. They departed this earth hand in hand, leaving sweet memories in our hearts about love, faithfulness and eternal devotion. All of us will miss them dearly.

Currently, the Vanadzor Old Age Home offers shelter and safe haven to 55 elderly Armenians. Nearly 30 employees look after them with care and love.

Grandpa Vardges  and Grandma Mariam, hand in hand

Credit: Gayane Gevorgyan

By Gayane Gevorgyan

Below are some of the photos from the New Years party at Vanadzor Old Age Home (VOAH). Residents were pleasantly surprised by the event, which included a visit from a group of actors from Vanadzor State Dramatic Theater. They dropped by to entertain, dressed as classic holiday characters like Dzmer Pap (Santa) and Dzyunanush (Snow Maiden). They also acted out a scene from the comedy “The Deeds of Khanum” by A. Tsagareli. The actors happily danced with staff and residents. At the end, residents were treated to packages of candy and presents specially prepared for them by VOAH’s staff.

Vanadzor Old Age Home Residents celebrate New Year
With Dzmer Pap and Dzyunanush

Credit:Gayane Gevorgyan

Recently, master pianist Shahan Arzruni visited Armenia to perform a concert in the Aram Khachaturian Museum. During his stay, he also visited Vanadzor Old Age Home, where he talked to the residents and became closely acquainted with life at VOAH. All were happy to once again meet their supporter, thanks to whose immediate support has financed the operations at VOAH for the past 10 years.

Shahan Arzruni Performing a Concert in Armenia

Credit: Felix Arustamyan

Sahan Arzruni, nephew of Sirvart Karamanuk, is the chairman of the Kevork and Sirvart Karamanuk Foundation. Within the framework of the Fund for Armenian Relief, the sponsorship of VOAH has been carried out by the Kevork and Sirvart Karamanuk Foundation. The foundation is also supportive of many active charitable programs in Armenia as well as educational institutions in Turkey.

Shahan Arzruni with Amalya Mayrig

Credit: FAR Staff

Kevork Karamanuk (1907-2002) was a shrewd and determined businessman who wouldn’t let anyone stand in the way of his goal to better his community.

Sirvart Karamanuk (1912-2008) is a renowned composer who has composed more than one hundred vocal works, including many choral compositions and children’s songs.

Bagrat Sargsyan, Shahan Arzruni &
Tigran Kocharyan (from left to right)

Credit: FAR Staff

The Karamanuks are also recognized for their special love of education; they have supported the enlargement of the Ferikoy School, one of the best known Armenian Schools in Turkey.

Shahan Arzruni with VOAH Residents
Rafik Hovhannisyan and Hrachik Ohanyan

Credit: FAR Staff

They have also founded multiple scholarships available to Armenian students at the local educational institutions. In addition, they’ve helped to renovate the music library of the Komitas Conservatory in Yerevan and the Aram Khachaturian Museum in Yerevan.

Shahan Arzruni with VOAH Director
Tigran Kocharyan & Resident Shavarsh Sahakyan

Credit: FAR Staff

Currently, the Vanadzor Old Age Home offers shelter and safe haven to 55 elderly Armenians. Nearly 30 employees look after them with care and love.

By Gayane Gevorgyan

Between October 4th and 30th, the students from Vanadzor State Pedagogical Institute’s Department of Social Pedagogy and Psychology spent time volunteering at the Vanadzor Old Age Home.

Students With Their Teachers
During Practice At Vanadzor Old Age Home

Credit: Gayane Gevorgyan

Students were divided into two groups and worked under the supervision of teachers and psychologists. Department lecturer Anahit Mkhitaryan and psychologists Anahit Petrosyan, Anna Gevorgyan and Vardan Ayvazyan, led the first professional group. The second group’s leader was Tatevik Malumyan. Assistant Director Gayane Gevorgyan and Psychologist Tatevik Grigoryan also gladly collaborated with students.

The Old Age Home Residents Enjoy
The Students Company

Credit: Gayane Gevorgyan

This kind of experience is very important for the professional development of future teachers, sociologists and psychologists. During this short period, the students were able to learn about the day-to-day operations of VOAH, its organizational structure and the methods staff use to work with the elderly. Students spent time communicating with the residents, organizing individual psychological work, implementing various research methods, making valuable observations and meeting with staff members. The practice was very effective and the support of the leaders, as well as attentive attitude and readiness of VOAH employees, was very helpful for the students. It will be great if they have the opportunity to obtain such practical experience on an on-going basis.

Students and VOAH Residents

Credit: Gayane Gevorgyan

VOAH Director Tigran Kocharyan,
Residents and Students
At the Entrance of the Old Age Home

Credit: Gayane Gevorgyan