Give Today and Keep the Spirit of Growth Alive

Happy Giving Tuesday!

The spirit of gratitude recently came alive at Norashen Kindergarten in Armenia’s Aragatsotn Province, where the sweet aroma of ghapama, a traditional pumpkin dish made with rice, dried fruits, and honey, filled the air. With guidance from their teachers and parents, the children prepared the dish together, celebrating autumn, harvest, and togetherness.

“Ghapama is made during holidays when pumpkins ripen,” said Principal Tamara Matevosyan. “The children love taking part; they know what it means and what it symbolizes.”

The celebration was also a moment of gratitude from the mothers, who decorated the hall with autumn’s colors and local foods, expressing their thanks to FAR supporters who make the kindergarten a place of joy and growth.

“This was our way of saying ‘thank you’ to everyone who helps our kindergarten thrive,” said Anna Gevorgyan, a mother of two.

Much of what filled the tables was grown right in the village, the same fresh produce that nourishes the children daily.

Norashen kindergarten, which welcomes 60 children, has been generously supported by the John Mirak Foundation and the Harold and Josephine Gulamerian Foundation. Since 2018, FAR’s Child Health and Nutrition program has transformed early childhood care across five kindergartens of Aragatsotn Province including Norashen, ensuring that every child has access to healthy food and a brighter start in life.

As we celebrate Giving Tuesday, let’s continue this beautiful cycle of care and nourishment. Your generosity will help more children experience the joy of learning, growing, and discovering the world with full hearts and full plates.

With heartfelt gratitude,

— From all of us at FAR