As a part of Birthright, every week we have forums and havaks with various Armenian organizations in different fields. Either they come to the Birthright office to give us a talk, or we got to their organization and get a tour of the place. This week was an interesting visit to the SOS Children's Village in Abovyan- about half an hour away from Yerevan.
The village itself is an orphanage where children live up to 14 years of age. The great thing about SOS is that the children live in groups within separate houses as brothers and sisters- along with a "mom." There are about 6 children per house, and all of the proper facilities are in place. It is not the type of orphanage where children get adopted out of, instead they live there as families until they reach a certain age where they can move to youth centers in the city. SOS has been functioning for over 20 years and it is really a great organization which provides the children with everything they can possibly need- without feeling any less than anyone else.
The children seemed happy, active, very smart, and very talented. We met a boy who knew how to paint, play music, and do needlework. It was very impressive. One family welcomed us into their home, and set out a hyurasirutyun like we were longtime friends. After seeing the depressing situation at Pyunic, it was so great to see a place like SOS where the children really do have everything going for them- from love, to activities, and an education.
(Images from top: Listening to a speech by the director of SOS, some of the kids peeking in through the windows, the lesson continues outside, gapo inside one of the homes teaching the kids an American song, Armen playing hand games, the boys playing football, all of us with the kids, Martiros Gapo and Armen giving piggyback rides).
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