Your trusted source

 “Our Home” non-governmental organization, located in the very heart of the city of Etchmiadzin, is five years old; the organization is a shelter for 18-23-year-old foster-children of orphanages.

“Our Home” hosted on Saturday a festive event – 21-year-old foster-child from the orphanage of Gavar, Heriqnaz was getting engaged. Heriq, friends call her in short, is going to marry Armen, who, according to Armenian tradition, has arrived with his mother, sister and relatives.

Heriqnaz and Armen are going to leave for Krasnodar, and live at Armen’s brother. The couple will celebrate their wedding in Krasnodar, while here; they have used the chance and celebrated their engagement happily, warmly and joyfully.

It was a year ago, when Heriqnaz left the orphanage of Gavar and was removed to “Our Home”, but hurries to leave it as she gets married.

The director of the NGO Tigranuhi Karapetyan told Panorama.am that during those 5 years they were celebrating the 7th wedding. Tigranuhi, who has replaced the girls’ moms, supports the girls, and gives her consent.

“We have a tradition – our sons-in-law bring with them new fiancés…” joked Tigranuhi, whom the girls love and respect sincerely.

“Our Home” is a charitable organization being funded by USA. The director of the organization has said that $4500 is needed per month to care the needs of the house and the girls. Tigranuhi has added that the local people also help her to care for those 12 girls that the house hosts.

“Our Home” has many other relatives. The daughter of Armenia’s Chief of Police Alik Sargsyan – Nona Sargsyan, was present at the engagement ceremony. We were told that Ms. Nona Sargsyan, who herself grows up 3 children, the Chief of Police are best friends of the organization. Armenia’s First Lady, Ms. Rita Sargsyan also cares for the girls.

The domestic rules of the organization are very strict – the girls cannot leave it after 6 p.m., they cannot host friends if the director is against. The girls leave “Our Home” either for their parents’ home or to their husbands’.