Anna Astvatsaturian Foundation: On the side of Artsakh families

Guest ContributorNovember 1, 2023Last Updated: November 1, 2023

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Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte during her recent trip to help the dispaced families from Artsakh with her foundation

The Anna Astvatsaturian Foundation continues to help Artsakh Armenians. In addition to supporting the families of children born in Artsakh, the foundation has developed a new initiative, standing shoulder to shoulder with those families who are trying to overcome the loss of their homeland during this difficult period.

Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte was compelled to return to the homeland following the loss of Artsakh and the psychological impact on our compatriots. Astvatsaturian Turcotte considers it her duty and an important mission to help our compatriots forcibly displaced from Artsakh, to stand by them during these difficult times.

Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte and foundation representatives visiting displaced families from Artsakh

Recently, the representatives of the Anna Astvatsaturian Foundation, led by Astvatsaturian Turcotte, visited forcibly displaced families from Artsakh who have temporarily settled in Yerevan, Sisian, Masis, Khachar and Berdik, listened to their problems and assessed their needs.

“We provided 500 families forcibly displaced from Artsakh with household and hygiene items: 700 packages of diapers of different sizes as well as 200 packages of baby food. In addition, we also distributed kitchen appliances, dishes, clothes for children and adults to another 1,000 families. In total, more than 2,500 families received support,” said Astvatsaturian Turcotte, herself a refugee from Baku. “Of course, these are for primary needs, but our compatriots first of all need love and attention, which is vital today more than ever,” she said, emphasizing that the foundation will continue to do everything possible so that every citizen of Artsakh feels safe in Armenia with faith in the future.

While in Yerevan, Astvatsaturian Turcotte participated in a discussion on “How to help forcibly displaced people” at the Common Ground Books & Spirits literary cafe on October 15. She presented ways to overcome the trauma of forced displacement, how to support the displaced Armenians from Artsakh and why it is important to be tactful when communicating with them.

The foundation also continues the “Ser Artsakh” charity program, which was launched in 2022 with the aim of valuing the role and importance of forming a family and building the future of children on historical soil. The foundation provided gift boxes to families of children born in Artsakh. Since the start of the project, 2,500 gift boxes have been distributed in one year, of which 1,290 were distributed during the blockade. Forcibly displaced mothers from Artsakh who gave birth to babies in Artsakh and Armenia in August and September continue to benefit from this support. 200 families became beneficiaries of the project and received a gift box. Presently, the foundation intends to continue the “Ser Artsakh” program. Astvatsaturian Turcotte wants every family forcibly displaced from Artsakh to realize that life goes on. She feels all children born in those families should live in decent conditions and have a carefree and enlightened childhood.

“Before providing gift packages, we check the documents and compare them with the data we have to avoid problems. We thank all those who help the initiative succeed. We decided to continue this program because our brothers and sisters who moved from Artsakh are currently experiencing hard times. We also understand that especially families with newborns need this support,” Astvatsaturian Turcotte said. “Our goal is for each donor to make a donation with the feeling that the box is for a new member of their own family.”

Armenian products are included in the gift boxes. Each box includes a nightgown, sleeping bag, towels, blanket, basic care items (wipes, baby shampoo, thermometer and pacifier), hygiene items for the baby, as well as children’s books and toys with wooden wheels. Partners of the initiative are Lalunz LLC, Play Artsakh and Theopharma Imports LLC.