Caring for older adults has always been at the heart of FAR’s work. From the Soup Kitchens that provide daily meals to vulnerable seniors, to the long-term, compassionate care offered at the Vanadzor Old Age Home, FAR has been committed to supporting the wellbeing, dignity, and community of Armenia’s elders. By 2050, nearly one in four Armenians will be over the age of 60, and today, through our partnership with the Armenian Association of Geriatrics and Gerontology (AAGG) ,

When Hrant Avetisyan received his university acceptance letter four years ago, it should have been a moment of pure joy. Instead, it came with a heavy truth: his admission score was just one point shy of qualifying for free tuition. For a young man who had lost his father and was already carrying the weight of family responsibility, that one point could have changed everything. Hrant, now 21 and in his final year of software engineering at the National Polytechnic University

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, The Cafe on the Edge of the World, The Kite Runner, And the Mountains Echoed, A Thousand Splendid Suns —and many other books—are always close at hand on Anahit’s table. Sixteen-year-old Anahit Bagamyan  is drawn to psychological and philosophical books. Even when the stories end painfully, she says she does not feel discouraged. For her, these books are a way of understanding life, of lea

For Gurgen and his friend Samvel, the idea of starting a business took shape years ago while they were serving in Stepanakert. As they talked through different possibilities, one priority stood out: their work had to benefit the environment. After careful thought, they chose paper recycling as the foundation for their future business. However, soon after they began planning, unexpected challenges intervened. First came the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the war, which forced

Seventeen years ago, I, Ruzan Gishyan , stepped into this same office for the first time as a first-year student at Yerevan State University. Today, I work at the Fund for Armenian Relief , a place that feels warm, familiar, and deeply personal. Back then, my journey nearly took a different turn. One missing point placed me in the paid system, and I remember how crushing that felt. Journalism had been my dream since I was seven years old-the kind of dream you don’t question,

On December 19, FAR hosted its annual Christmas reception at the Nikoghosyan Cultural Foundation's exhibition hall, bringing together nearly 40 Continuing Medical Education (CME) trainers and healthcare professionals for an evening filled with warmth, gratitude, and meaningful connection. The gathering served as an opportunity to reflect on the collective efforts that continue to strengthen Armenia’s healthcare system, even in the face of ongoing challenges. FAR’s Health Pro

Inside the “Artsakhi Hats” (Bread of Artsakh), you’ll discover baked goods made in-house and from scratch: the tasty reasons this bakery business has become one of the best bakeries of Achajur village of cross-border Tavush Province of Armenia. But if you arrive early in the morning, you may miss one of the key people behind Artsakhi Hats’ success. Ganna Hakobyan, the main baker, starts her day at 4 a.m., preparing bread and pastries before sunrise. One of several family memb

Caring for their own health as mothers, supporting their children and grandchildren, and learning how to better nurture their families-these goals brought together nearly 350 girls, mothers, and grandmothers in Vayk, Malishka, Yeghegis, Shatin in Vayots Dzor, and Chambarak in Gegharkunik. Many were displaced from Artsakh; others were longtime residents. All came with a shared hope to learn, connect, and strengthen their well-being through a FAR-supported community health prog

Five-year-old Argishti is one of the bright young children at the Janet Mardigian Kindergarten in Ijevan, Tavush Province. In August 2023, his family moved from Saint Petersburg of Russia to Ijevan so their children could grow up and receive their education in Homeland. His mother, Armenuhi Khachatryan, 40, says they always felt something was missing while living abroad. “It came down to a choice: either we stay in Russia forever or return home. And of course, Armenia won,” s

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 child

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and loved ones, reflecting on the blessings in our lives. At FAR, we have much to be thankful for, and first and foremost, we want to express our deepest gratitude to YOU! Your generosity, care, and dedication empower Armenians in Homeland, giving them opportunities to live with dignity, hope, and love. Thanks to your support, millions of Armenians have found a renewed sense of hope after the challenges of the past five years. The

40-year-old Seda Ghevondyan, never imagined that sewing would one day become not just a skill, but her passion, and the foundation for her future. A teacher by profession, she thought her path would always lead to a classroom. But the moment she picked up a needle and thread, something shifted. She couldn’t put them down. “It all happened by chance,” Seda recalls. “I started working at the Ijevan sewing factory, even though I always thought my place was in a school or kinderg

“Our children always love having guests, but today felt different. The joy they brought was unforgettable,” said Mira Antonyan, ED of the FAR’s Mardigian Child Protection Center. She joked that if Clowns Without Borders ever opened an Armenian chapter, Astghik, one of the children at the Center, would probably be the first to volunteer. It was easy to see why. The Center courtyard was alive with laughter and applause as Astghik stood on stage next to circus artists Daniel

Three-year-old Norayr calls his 18-year-old sister, Olya, “mom.” For months, Olya Aghasaryan waited for the chance to bring her little brothers home. She had always wanted to care for them, but because she was underage, she couldn’t take legal guardianship. After the loss of both parents in November 2024, Norayr and Hrach, 12, were placed with their aunts. But social workers later discovered that the boys were being mistreated and physically abused. That’s when they were brou

After losing their father, Arshak, in a tragic car accident, the Hovhannisyan family had to start over. Sona and Elen, together with their mother, moved from their home village of Balak to Sisian. The move was heavy with both grief and uncertainty.   Today, the family rents a small apartment for 50,000 AMD ($130) each month. Their mother works as a saleswoman in Sisian, earning 70,000 AMD ($181). The survivor pension and family allowance help cover expenses, but raising two g

Medals don’t drive 15-year-old Armenuhi Aslanyan-her passion for STEM does. Still, returning to Berdavan with a first-place chemistry medal this spring brought a spark of excitement to her school and community. The win and the medal following Olympiad held in spring, brought Armenuhi to Yerevan to join her peers in a science camp organized jointly with the “Hzor Mitk” (Strong Mind) NGO thanks to the generous support of the Yeramyan Family Foundation. For a full week, the S

Every day, 70-year-old Sevak Vardanyan hops on his bicycle and pedals 12 km back and forth to get to  FAR’s Nishan and Margrit Atinizian Senior Center from Akhuryan village of Shirak province. This has been his daily route for a few months now, ever since he discovered the soup kitchen and found a new sense of purpose in his otherwise lonely days.  FAR’s Nishan and Margrit Atinizian Senior Center in Gyumri serves hot and nutritious meals five days a week to around 150 elde

When Dr. Tanya Martisoryan faced a difficult medical case in her native Karaglukh village, she told herself, “That’s enough. It’s time to refresh my knowledge and skills.” Determined to grow, Tanya applied for the FAR’s Continuing Medical Education (CME) Program , which offers one-month mentorship opportunities for regional doctors to train alongside leading specialists in Yerevan. As a family doctor with almost 30 years of experience, Tanya wanted to deepen her understanding

For Liana from Aygedzor, teaching is not just a profession: it’s a dream and a mission that gives her life meaning. She spent years studying in Yerevan with one clear goal: to come back home and use her knowledge to help the children of her own village. Today, Liana Yeghiazaryan, 24, is the first and only school psychologist in the cross-border village of Aygedzor in Tavush province. She works with children of all ages and says she can’t imagine a day without them. “It’s as

In 2020, during the 44-day war in Artsakh, Taron Hakobyan’s life changed in an instant. At just 18, he witnessed the harshest realities...