Esma Ghazaryan and her family lived a pretty good life in the southern Armenian town of Meghri until April 26th of this year when, in the middle of a family party, Esma’s father Aram died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 64. The family had been celebrating the eldest son Artur’s birthday that day. Esma’s mother Naira cannot even recall the accident without crying. For many years she had worked as a teacher in the Aesthetic Educational Center in Meghri. Now, she is unemployed. After the tragic incident, she was able to find consolation in the local spiritual father Der Endza’s prayers and consoling words. Father Endza then told Naira about the Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP), an initiative from the Women’s Guild Central Council of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).
After submitting the application, 11-year-old Esma was accepted as a CASP beneficiary. Now, the family receives a stipend each month, which helps them cover day-to-day living expenses. Just like all CASP families, Naira and her family members are grateful to their supporters on the other side of the world who care enough to try and ease the financial difficulties of single parents and their children.
CASP is a program of the Women’s Guild Central Council of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). For years, CASP has also focused its attention on the poorest Armenian families of Javaghk. More than 100 children from single-parent households receive CASP’s monthly stipend.