YEREVAN—The sight of an unkempt child inside an unscrupulous building is not the image one gathers upon entering the door at Zadig Orphanage.
Here children are well maintained and nourished, enjoy the company of each other, and appear well prepared to enter the realm of adulthood on the outside.
The fact they’re even inside an orphanage offers some condolence to the heart.
“We do our best to offer these children a normal upbringing,” says Ashod Mnazaganyan, who runs the facility. “It isn’t always an easy task raising those who have been abandoned at one time or another. No child should be without a home. Our doors are never closed.”
The facility is located on the outskirts of Yerevan on a street called Sargavak. Fifty children, mostly young girls, attend school, learn the necessary skills to survive independently, and prepare for a life beyond the orphanage.
The statistics can be staggering. Somewhere in the world every two seconds, a child is left abandoned. In Armenia, a number of orphanages come to their rescue. Most all have limited resources and rely on outside assistance. Very little if anything is supplied by the government.
Many churches and organizations “adopt” a child for a minute investment each year and gain a sense of pride in their welfare.
Zadig has been in operation since 1991 when Armenia regained her independence. Older girls sell products to raise enough money for provisions and other necessities.
Upon learning of our visit to Armenia, families stepped forward with a contribution to be delivered to “any orphanage.” We learned about Zadig through a previous visit to the country. Several in our tour group were impressed with the environment and how content the children appeared.
We were met at the door by Mnazaganyan, who was more than gracious with his hospitality. Coffee and cookies were immediately served inside his office as he went into a discussion about Zadig—an Armenian word for Easter and the Resurrection of Christ.
The establishment resurrects lives.
An equal number of staff members work around the clock to offer guidance and compassion. The youngest child, we learned, was aged seven; the oldest into her teen years. One resident we encountered was preparing for university life, was raised there, and remained to lend her support.
Older girls reside in a separate building called the Rainbow House and are adept at making greeting and Christmas cards, which are very popular commodities in the commercial market.
These cards are sold universally, mostly to Armenian families who support the orphanage.
“Older children aren’t quite as adoptable as the infants,” said Mnazaganyan. “We do not receive very many at Zadig.”
Such a dilemma doesn’t negate the ability to lend assistance.
Tom Vartabedian
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Perhaps the Hayasdan government’s anti-international adoption policies and processes can be changed so Armenians in the Diaspora, who have been blessed with the means to provide these beautiful children with a family environment, can do so. I personally investigated this, and the bureaucracy and “unstated costs” associated with such adoptions, was more than anyone should have to face, particularly someone of Armenian heritage. The policies absolutely drive parents-to-be to other jurisdictions. I could’ve lived with the financial shake-downs, but the system then closed. Why? Because certain politicians have a “moli” belief that they “don’t need any outsiders to raise our children”. Truly heartbreaking.
The problem with adoption is that these children are classified as “social orphans” they do NOT have the proper relinquishment from the bio parent that is required by many countries to obtain an Orphan Visa.
98% of the children are social orphans, their parents don’t have the means to feed or care for them.
Lets start by building a strong Armenia, get the children trained and educated with proper skills they can use on the outside when they turn 18. Also lend your support to. Society of Orphaned Armenian Relief.
http://www.soar-us.org
Marty many American Armenians do adopt the children. Unfortunately a great many of them want health babies which is sad. Myself, and others we are happy with the older children.
the Special Needs children, handicapped and Down Syndrome are being adopted out very easily by Odars in the USA mostly very religious people.
The French Armenians adopt a great many of the children too.
i spear headed a “jacket drive” via our sunday school at st. mary armenian church in costa mesa, ca. i made it very clear that they have to be in excellent condition and must be laundered. if i could have the address of the zadig orphanage, i am able to ship the items directly through the united shipping group out of glendale, ca. albeit, it will take 3 months, but not painfully costly.
so if you could give me other armenian orphanages’ addresses, i could send them jackets as well.
so please get back to me, somewhat asap.
thanx
Dear Nina,
I read your comments in the Armenian Weekly where you were reacting to the article about Zadig Orphanage. I hope you received a response to your offer. If not, we (HUMANITARIAN OUTREACH FOUNDATION) out of Solana Beach, Ca. would be pleased to give you the address of our affiliated orphanage in Vanadzor, Armenia. Our family founded the orphanage in 1995 and it is part of the social service ministry system. We just sent a cargo container of clothing, and various other supplies, i.e sporting goods, camping good, etc. Would love to chat with you regarding our common interest in assisting Armenian orphans. You can call Terry at 858- 481 8904
I just have a question if it possible can someone email me the address of Zadig Orphanage and if it’s possible more orphanage addresses in Armenia.
Elizabeth,
Please call me at 858 481 8904 and I can give you details about the Vanadzor Orphanage in Armenia. We (our family) founded it in 1995 and we are still actively engaged with them.
Կը խնդրեմ խմբագրական կազմէն թէ ես ալ կուզեմ իմէյլը ունենալ Զատիկի որբանոցին հասցէն եթէ կարելի է: Շնորհակալութիւն:
Նայիրեան