ARS Holds ‘Dinner Day’ in Javakhk

The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Georgia recently launched the “Dinner Day” Project in Javakhk. Despite its limited financial capabilities, ARS Georgia went ahead with the project so that those in need, including the retired and homebound, could feel—even if for just one day—wanted and cared for, rather than forgotten or ignored.

The project, which took shape on April 5, 2012, on the occasion of the Easter holidays, involved 47 retirees, indigents, and recluse persons from the town of Akhalkalak and the surrounding villages of Olaverd, Samsar, Bavra, Diliska, and others. The oldest participant was 94-year-old Granny Mariam, who clearly needed to socialize with her peers. The meals were served at the “Syuze” Restaurant in Akhalkalak, which welcomed the guests and treated them with a rich variety of dishes served in a gracious atmosphere.

To put the participants at ease, as they were overwhelmed by the unusually warm welcome and affable treatment by the hosts, the chairperson of the ARS Georgia Executive Board, Karine Tatevosian, explained that this kind of service to those in need is nothing unusual for the diasporan ARS entities, and that they should feel at home and enjoy their meal. Tatevosian then described the global structure, wide scope of activities, and current programs of the ARS. Over the meal, the ARS members conversed with the participants about the meaning and message of Easter and Resurrection, ending with pleasantries and good humor, affording them a few hours of enjoyment, away from daily concerns.

Sarkis, an inhabitant of the village of Samsar, expressed his best wishes, thanking the ARS not only for that evening’s hospitality—also attended also by his wife and grandchildren—but also for ARS Georgia’s continuous support of his family.

After a feast that lasted for almost four hours, the participants departed with assurances of meeting again, and thanked the “Society for the happy hours made possible by this program, wishing the ARS success in all its endeavors,” as described by an ARS Georgia Executive Board member.

The ARS Georgia Executive took care of the participants’ transportation expenses from and to the villages for “Dinner Day.” Many of the participants also received donations of clothes and shoes.