Big Help in Small Packages: One Diasporan’s Resolve to Support a Village
Special for the Armenian Weekly
You may not have heard of Harry Nakashian or his organization, Armenia Assist, and its nearly decade-long endeavor to assist villagers living in poverty. Their humble efforts to sponsor Armenia’s neediest have virtually flown under the radar. Through the website, www.ArmeniaAssist.org, the organization collects money and supplies from individual donors, mostly through word of mouth. Nakashian’s self-described “mom and pop” two-person brigade, which includes Yerevan-based overseer Sona Baluyan, has been sending supplies to villagers in need since 2004. With relatively limited media publication thus far, Nakashian hopes to expand Armenia Assist’s outreach goals. Below, he speaks to the Armenian Weekly and describes the work that this charitable service does—and what’s to come.
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I felt goose-bumps all over my body reading this article about Harry Nakashian, and his wonderful work of helping the needy of our country.
He is doing something that i have dreamt of doing all my life and never had the funds to do it,Harry may god bless you, and your team of volunteers, and helpers for being on such a blessed mission of helping our nation, i will definitely be looking forward to contributing to our cause of helping our nation.
Աստուած քեզ օգնական ըլլայ եւ վարձքդ կատար եղբայր.
I join Mr. Mashoian in wishing Mr. Nakashian:”Աստուած քեզ օգնական ըլլայ եւ վարձքդ կատար եղբայր”, and thank Ms. Torosyan for this informative article.
Now for the advice Mr. Nakashian gives:
“I would first say come to Armenia if you need to be convinced how bad conditions are, and how wonderful the people are. I would add, don’t come as a tourist. You would miss much.”
This is extremely good advice, and I speak from experience. There are many things we, diasporan-Armenians, can do to help our nation become one that we can be proud of belonging to. The most important thing we can do is “be informed”, know your nation, and this is why I subscribe to the Armenian Weekly. It is when we are informed that we can make informed choices. But even on the Armenian Weekly we often get second-hand information. The kind of second-hand information I had received in the 90’s that had caused me to be disgusted with our Hayreniq, not even wanting to set foot there. It is not until I had a near-death accident that I decided to volunteer for one year there with AVC (www.armenianvolunteer.org) and get first-hand info about the situation and hence, know what “I” could do about it. Everyone, even non-Armenians can now volunteer with AVC, but youth of Armenian heritage between the ages of 21 to 32 have a very unique possibility of financial support by volunteering through the Birthright Armenia (BRA) program (www.birthrightarmenia.org).
Everyone can do it and is welcome, from students to working professionals, and retirees. There really is something for everyone when it comes to volunteering in Armenia, and AVC and BRA can customize an experience for you!.
It is worth noting that AVC and BRA are non-partisan, non-denominational entities financed by a great Armenian philantropist and by donations from people like you.
I am from “ice-cream kids”.We loves Harry Nakashian very much.Because he doing for us everything.We have have gone together to watch movie,playing bowling,We went to a pizzeria and karaoke,and we have a lot of pictures together. He gave us many present every year every moth.We had a computer classes and i can say many good things Harry Nakashian.I also know that he has helped many poor families in Artmenia.already 6 years that I know him and I’m happy for it.He is our big friend,Harry jan we love you very much and miss you..return as soon as possible….BLESS YOU GOD.
Thank you Harry, it’s always great to hear how some of us strive to educate and improve future generations of homeland.
I am very proud of you Harry jan! THANKS for everything you do for us!
Hurray for Harry! I contribute to a family in Solak, a small village, that Harry referred me to. I send boxes and money directly to them, via MoneyGram. They don’t have internet, but they do have a cell phone, so after I send the money in the mom’s name, I email Sona the MoneyGram number, and she phones the mom, and reads it to her. Then the mom takes the bus into the city to pick it up, using her I.D. It’s really, really great. I’ve also sent them lots of boxes of clothing and home furnishings, etc. over the years, getting donations from workmates, friends, and whoever. The boxes go to Sona, and then she and her husband drive them to the village. Sona often takes photos of the family opening the boxes, wearing the clothing, etc. What fun! I have known Harry for 35 years; he is an absolute hero. So is Sona, for that matter. This is a great way to make a difference in the world, however small. And it has given me great pleasure.