By Julie Ashekian
“I often ask myself how my future looks, growing up with no family and not knowing where I will live. I studied carpet weaving while in the orphanage, quickly falling in love with it and becoming an expert. With this I will be able to work and earn a living, but still I have no place to live. I would like to be one of your children at Mer Doon and feel the warmth of family love.”
The aforementioned words were expressed by Ani, who before becoming a member of the Mer Doon family, grew up in Gamo (Gavar Orphanage). Today, three years later, she shares her feelings of hope for the future and appreciation for her newly found family. “I am so happy to be in Mer Doon,” she says. “I came here on Nov. 11, 2006. Here I feel love and attention. I lack free time because I am busy learning English, French, and Russian, studying at a local university, and of course weaving beautiful rugs. I would like to thank you all.”
Growing up in an orphanage in Armenia while approaching the age of 18 can create serious concerns for a young person. At that age, children are required to leave their orphanage. Like Ani, once they leave, there is no place to live and nowhere to call home. You can imagine the fear and anxiety caused by this uncertainty.
Originally 11 young women made up the Mer Doon family. Four of those young ladies have married and the entire Mer Doon family was witness to each beautiful traditional Armenian wedding. Two of the young women are now mothers and raising their own loving family. We look forward to the addition of four young ladies who will leave the orphanages and soon join our Mer Doon family.
Located in Etchmiadzin, Mer Doon has earned the reputation of being a respectable and well-organized program, and often enjoys visits from guests worldwide. The visitors enjoy spending quality time with the girls, and on occasion enjoy a delicious meal prepared by them. Sam Chapootian and his mother from New York recently visited Mer Doon. He expressed the following heartwarming and emotional experiences while there:
“This place was incredible for me because without this facility, where would these girls be? Where would they have gone and how would they have done it? Ticko Karapetyan [the president of Mer Doon NGO] is such a dynamic individual. She keeps the girls intact making sure they do the best they can on an educational level. Mer Doon is impeccably clean. This program is really, really important. Mer Doon allows these young women to experience life. We spend money on everything else… I believe we have to start with the youth.”
Springtime is a busy time at Mer Doon. We are fortunate to have a large garden, which produces vegetables, herbs, fruits, and nearly everything necessary to prepare delicious deghatzi (native) meals. Because the garden is so valuable, the girls have become expert gardeners and cooks. In addition to maintaining the garden, the girls display a myriad of other talents, including making jewelry, crocheting, baking, creating arrangements using fruits and vegetables, and making beautiful greeting cards.
Collectively, our girls along with Mer Doon staff created their own Christmas decorations that adorned Mer Doon inside and out. Not only did we think them to be beautiful, but the Municipality of Etchmiadzin did as well, and awarded Mer Doon with first prize in their competition for the third consecutive year. Bravo to our girls!
We are proud of Mer Doon’s accomplishments in its short existence. These beautiful young girls have achieved our—and their—goal of becoming healthy, mature, and productive members in their homeland of Armenia. They realize that living at Mer Doon is only possible because of individuals who truly want to help Armenia’s less fortunate youth by affording them a chance for a meaningful life.
A donor from the diaspora recently wrote: “All those individuals involved in the establishment and ongoing maintenance of the Mer Doon program deserve kudos of praises for the selfless devotion to the needs and welfare of the young women domiciled in the beautiful Mer Doon facility. The loving care and concern being extended to these individuals serve as shining examples of what can be accomplished when Armenians of goodwill put their minds and souls to filling a void that is not being adequately filled by a nation that is beset with so many pressing problems and needs. Time is of the essence. It’s up to us in the diaspora to render the financial support the Mer Doon program must have for the continuation of its good works, and to maintain its viability. Should we lend our financial support? Of course we must and yes we can!”
Tax deductible donations may be made to Our Home-Mer Doon, Inc., c/o Julie Ashekian, president, 84 Ellsworth Blvd., Kensington, CT 06037-2728.
Guest Contributor
I am trying to find an old acquaintance – Sammy Chapootian. If you know him, please give him my work number: 212-251-5015. I would very much appreciate hearing from him.
Thank you so much.
Lenore Apostolu
I know where Sam is and His phone number. We went to college together and just last week he called me.
so, if you are still interested, email me Mark