New Life Begins for Gyumri Family

Aristakes Kocharyan, his wife Janna, and their children, a low-income family in Gyumri, Armenia, have lived in a tiny, dilapidated, rat-infested hut since 1998. Given their financial situation, and the fact that Aristakes has had to deal with serious health issues, the family had all but given up on the possibility of owning a decent home one day. Yet, despite the odds, the Kocharyan couple have raised four wonderful children — one aspiring to become an athlete, another a medical researcher, and two already working, in banking and at a dental office.

In 2017, the Kocharyans’ lives were forever changed when representatives of Armenia Fund visited them at their hut and surprised them with the keys to a new apartment. Yes, the family was to have a beautiful, fully furnished apartment of its own. That same day, the Kocharyans moved into their new home, which features a complement of modern comforts and amenities, including appliances.

The apartment was gifted to the family through donations from German citizens, including German-Armenians. It was the 30th apartment in Gyumri to have been purchased by Armenia Fund and presented to a family in need of housing assistance.

As Sarkis Kotanjian, the executive director of Armenia Fund, says, “It takes only $25,000 to change the life of a family. This amount covers the costs of purchasing an apartment, renovating it, furnishing it, and equipping it with all necessary appliances. We provide these homes with furniture and appliances because often our beneficiary families don’t have any of these things. Besides, we want them to start a new life, to experience the joy of a fresh start, with their children never having to deal with the dreadful conditions of their former huts again.”