Armenians on the Internet

Pateel Mekhitarian
Staff Writer

There are many children in Armenia that come from impoverished families and due to the economic instability in Armenia, orphanages are a positive option for many parents. The orphanages in Armenia have a goal of bettering the lives of children through education. There are more than 14,000 children who do not attend school in the Republic of Armenia because their families are unable to meet the basic costs of their education. The existence of these orphanages has positively affected the lives of so many children.

Orran
www.orran.am

Orran is a benevolent non-governmental organization (NGO), which was established in Yerevan, Armenia, in April 2000.  With the help of generous donors, Orran was able to move to a larger center to take in more children in May 2004.  The new four-storey center provides the Orran family with five classrooms, a library, a computer room, a social activity area, a dental office, and a garden. There are currently 65 children and 35 needy elderly in the Program. Orran has a goal of helping families in need in Armenia.

Mer Doon
www.mer-doon.org

Mer Doon, established in 2005, provides a family setting for young adults in Armenia who have outgrown their stay in Armenian orphanages.  Mer Doon gives them an opportunity to become valuable members of Armenian society.  The Mer Doon home is in Etchmiadzin and currently ten young women stay there.  Each woman is required to further her education by learning French, Russian, and English. In addition, they receive religious education and are trained by the staff in personal and social skills, and in crafts such as carpet-weaving. Mer Doon's mission is geared towards education, empowerment, leadership, the family environment, self-sufficiency, and breaking the cycle of dependency.