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ARS JAVAKHK FUNDRAISER RAISES $1,300 More than $1,300 was raised for the ARS Javakhk Fund at a special slide and video presentation about the Armenians of Javakhk on Febuary 23. Over 50 people were in attendance. The
event was sponsored by the ARS Merrimack Valley "Arax" and
Lowell "Lousintak" chapters and was held at the St. Gregory's
Armenian Apostolic Church. The presentation was given by Ivan
Ardhaldjian and assisted by Garo Adanalian. Ardhaldjian discussed the various socioeconomic, cultural, educational and infrastructure problems plaguing the region of Javakhk today. Although the region is considered to be a part of historic Armenia, it was under Soviet control for most of the 20th century. Since 1991, Javakhk has been governed by the Republic of Georgia, and the region is populated by over 150,000 Armenians. "I didn't know anything about this situation," stated Therese Brundage, one of the attendees and organizers of the event. "We're going to do some more activities to raise awareness and funds." "I learned more about Javakhk today than I have from just reading the paper," commented ARF Lowell Gomideh member Aram Jeknavorian. The distressing descriptions of the depressed living conditions for most Armenians in Javakhk clearly affected many attendees of the event. "The situation of the Armenians living there seems hopeless," an attendee observed at the end of the program. "But we need to do everything we can to assist them." The
ARS Javakhk Fund was established by the Armenian Relief Society, Inc. to
assist the Armenians in Javakhk in financial, educational and cultural
spheres. In this respect, the ARS Eastern Region US adopted three
projects for the current year in Javakhk: the creation of a Youth
Center, establishment of a saw mill and the provision of three remote
villages with electric power. For this end fundraisers are being
organized by the various chapters of the ARS all over the Eastern Region
of the United States. The ARS "Ani" and "Arax"
Providence chapters will host a fundraising event on March 9 at 1.00 pm
at Sts. Vartananz Church. Future fundraising events are being planned
for New Jersey and Boston. |
COMMUNITY EVENTS TO SUPPORT JAVAKHK
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