“Sponsoring of Parentless Children”
Since 1992, the ARS has been implementing a program of sponsoring parentless children. Each year, 7,413 youngsters -- 1,261 of them deprived of both parents, and 6,152 who have lost one parent, mostly orphans of martyred freedom fighters – receive an annual stipend of $120, provided by individual sponsors. The sponsors – Armenian and non-Armenian – hail from 28 different countries of the world. The ARS Armenia implements the transfer of the funds and the regular, timely distribution to the children, and all orphan-sponsor communications.
Families of Martyred Freedom Fighters
Occasionally, functions are organized to honor the families and mothers of martyred freedom fighters. On May 17, 2005, during such a function5 dedicated to “Modest Heroes”, 70 widows and mothers of martyred freedom fighters received copies of a special volume, entitled “Encyclopedia of the Artsakh Liberation War
Since 1996, a food providing program, called “ARS Day”, realized with the assistance of ARS entities, distributes nutritious meals, on a weekly basis, to 725 children in the following care centers and boarding schools:
- The # 9 Boarding School of Zvartnots (Sponsored by the Ani Chapter of ARS/Eastern USA)
- The Specialized Boarding Kindergarten of Gyumri (Sponsored by the Michigan Tsolik Chapter of ARS/Eastern USA)
- The Special #15 School in Yerevan for hearing-impaired children (Sponsored by Armenian Blue Cross of France)
- The Special Children’s Care Center in Yerevan (Sponsored by ARS/Canada)
- The Special #8 Boarding Kindergarten for severely speech-impaired children (Sponsored by ARS/Western USA)
- The Special #12 School of Yerevan (Armenian Blue Cross of Greece)
At these 6 establishments, the “ARS-Amanor” Program organizes Yuletide festivities and revitalization programs.
Since 2007, children of families with modest means come to the ARS Dilijan Camp to rest and recuperate. This camp has also the potential and capacity to bring together and accommodate local and Diasporan youngsters in an ideal location. With the assistance of the Greek Foreign Ministry and the Hellenic DCS organization, the ARS carried out the renovations of the Dilijan Camp.
During 1994-1995 camping seasons were organized for the children of freedom-fighters martyred in the Artsakh liberation war, and youngsters of the same age from the Diaspora. All in all, 350 children have enjoyed a stay in the Biurakan and Gougarq summer camps.
“State Assistance to Alumnae of RA Child Support Institutions” Program
A program assisting graduates of child support institutions has been active since early 2006. The project strives to provide social acceptance and protection to those in the program:
Clearance of Living Space
Socio-Psychological Aid
For the year 2006, 56 children are on the program list.