About Our Supported Orphanages
SOAR supports the 16 orphanages in Armenia, two Armenian orphanages in Nagorno-Karabakh, and an Armenian summer camp in Javakh (Georgia). We have regular contact with the orphanage directors and maintain an updated list of facility needs. A description of each orphanage is presented below. Our National Orphanage Liaison, Tanya Bardakjian, can be contacted at tbardakjian@verizon.net for an updated list of needs.
Boarding School #1 (formerly Zangak Orphanage):
Boarding School #1 (formerly Zangak Orphanage) is a state-funded orphanage in Stepanagert, Nagorno-Karabakh, housing approximately 35 healthy children and children with special needs between the ages of four and 16. The Director of Boarding School #1 is Nonna S. Musaelian.
Boarding School #2:
Boarding School #2 is a state-funded orphanage in Kashatagh, Nagorno-Karabakh, housing approximately 17 healthy children between the ages of six and 17.
Children's Home of Gyumri:
The Children's Home of Gyumri is a state-funded orphanage in Gyumri. One of the largest cities in Armenia, Gyumri is located in the northwest section of Armenia. Children's Home houses approximately 105 mentally and physically handicapped children six years old and younger. The Director of the Children's Home of Gyumri is Mrs. Ruzann Avagyan.
Gavar Orphanage:Gavar Orphanage is a state-funded orphanage in Gavar. Located in eastern Armenia near Lake Sevan, Gavar houses approximately 115 healthy children between the ages of 3 and 18. The Director of Gavar Orphanage is Mr. Nikolay Nalbandyan.
Gyumri Social Childcare CenterGyumri Social Childcare Center is a state-funded daycare center in Gyumri. One of the largest cities in Armenia, Gyumri is located in the northwest section of Armenia. Since July 2006 about 200 children from needy families in Shirak Marz have been served in the center. There are both healthy and physically handicapped children in the center. We have 24 handicapped children in the center. But unlike orphanages, they do not stay at night. They attend the center part-time, from 9 till 7 o'clock. There are also 15 handicapped parents. 80% of our children are social orphans. Among them we have both one-sided and double-sided orphans. We try to find their close relatives, grandmother, grandfather or we have cases when uncle's wife takes care of the orphaned children. Psychologists work with these relatives in order to avoid taking these orphans to the orphanages, instead keeping them with "family" because the orphanage for these children will cause even more pain. There are male and female, social and natural orphans from 6-18 years old. ( 19 one -sided orphaned and 3 double-sided orphaned). The center provides: social, psychological, pedagogical, legal and health consulting services. Trainings are also available to parents and guardians with the goal of teaching them to become more sensitive and attentive towards the problems of their children. These activities and services combine to prevent the child from being sent to an orphanage or other state provided care facility. On average 100 and more children are receiving services in the center. The number of children taking advantage of the centers services fluctuates daily based on need. The results of the Center's work with children are registered in database. The Director of "Gyumri Social Childcare Center" Mrs. Geghanush Gyunashyan.
Hadug Tibi Orphanage:Hadug Tibi Orphanage is a semi-private orphanage in the capital city of Yerevan. Located in central Armenia, Hadug Tibi houses approximately 83 healthy children between 7 months and 8 years old. The Director of Hadug Tibi Orphanage is Mrs. Hasmig Mgdrtchyan.
The Holy Cross Armenian Church of Javakh Summer Day Camp:
The Javakh Summer Day Camp is directed by Very Rev. Fr. Babken Salibyan of Holy Cross Armenian Church. This camp is located in the Diocese Center of the Holy Cross Armenian Church in Akhakalak, Georgia. The camp serves approximately 250 healthy children, who are mostly social orphans, living at or below poverty level in the nearby villages. The camp was created to get these children off the streets during the summer and into a safe, clean, fun and spiritual experience. The camp lasts approximately 40 days. A typical day includes morning prayer, hygiene check, exercise, religious education/sports/cultural dance, song/Armenian history/art class, lunch/snacks/fruit, and sports. Special events include a pilgrimage and visits from special guests, including community leaders, police, judges, and dentists.
Kharberd Orphanage:Kharberd Orphanage is a state-funded orphanage in Kharberd, a village in Ararat Marz (region). Located in central Armenia, Kharberd houses approximately 240 mentally and physically handicapped children between the ages of 6 and 18. The Director of Kharberd Orphanage is Mr. Harutyun Balasanyan.
Nork Orphanage:Nork Orphanage is a state-funded orphanage in the capital city of Yerevan. Located in central Armenia, Nork houses approximately 80 healthy and special needs children six years old and younger. The Director of Nork Orphanage is Mrs. Liana Karapetyan.
Nubarashen:
Nubarashen is a state-funded, special boarding school in the capital of Yerevan. Located in central Armenia, Nubarashen houses approximately 105 mentally and physically handicapped children between 7 and 18 years old. The Director of Nubarashen is Khachik Muradyan.
Orphanage of Fridtjof Nansen (formerly Houys Orphanage):Orphanage of Fridtjof Nansen is a state-funded orphanage in Gyumri. One of the largest cities in Armenia, Gyumri is located in the northwest section of Armenia. Orphanage of Fridtjof Nansen houses approximately 80 healthy children between the ages of 4 and 18. The Director of Orphanage of Fridtjof Nansen is Anahit Karapetyan.
Our Lady of Armenia Center:Our Lady of Armenian Center is a privately-funded orphanage in Gyumri. One of the largest cities in Armenia, Gyumri is located in the northwest section of Armenia. The Our Lady of Armenia Center is operated by the Armenian Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, a religious order of nuns established in 1847. The Sisters began working in Armenia following the devastating 1988 earthquake. Throughout the year, the Our Lady of Armenia Center carries out catechetical, cultural and social work with "natural" and "social" orphans between the ages of 6 and 18. The Center strives to create an atmosphere where the children can develop their spiritual, social, physical, and emotional abilities. The Director of the Our Lady of Armenia Center is Sr. Arousiag Sajonian. The Sisters also operate the Our Lady of Armenia Summer Camp in Tsaghgazor, a mountain retreat in northeast Armenia. During the past 12 years, the Camp has provided a warm and caring learning environment to more than 8,000 orphans, institutionalized children, and children from very poor families. The overall goal of the Camp is to strengthen the spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being of very disadvantaged children between the ages of 8 and 15. The Camp also aims to lessen the immediate and long-term impact of poverty in the children's lives through a wide range of athletic, cultural, spiritual, and social activities.
Sisters of Charity-Bethlehem
The Sisters of Charity-Bethlehem Orphanage is a privately-funded orphanage in Yerevan. Located in central Armenia, Sisters of Charity-Bethlehem houses approximately 15 mentally and physically handicapped babies and young children, all of which were abandoned at local hospitals. The Sisters of Charity is a Catholic religious order established in 1950 by Nobel Peace Prize winner Mother Teresa to tend to "the poorest of the poor." The order currently consists of more than 4,500 nuns who are active in 133 countries. In addition to the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, the nuns adhere to a fourth vow of giving "wholehearted and free service to the poorest of the poor." The Director of the Sisters of Charity-Bethelehem Orphanage is Sr. Nellena. She respectfully requested that photographs of the children not be included on the web site.
Sisters of Charity-Spitak:
Sisters of Charity-Spitak is a privately-funded orphanage in Spitak. Located in north central Armenia, The Sisters of Charity houses approximately 33 mentally and physically handicapped children. There are no age limitations. The Sisters of Charity is a Catholic religious order established in 1950 by Nobel Peace Prize winner Mother Teresa to tend to "the poorest of the poor." The order currently consists of more than 4,500 nuns who are active in 133 countries. In addition to the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, the nuns adhere to a fourth vow of giving "wholehearted and free service to the poorest of the poor." The Director of the Sisters of Charity Orphanage in Spitak is Sr. Francesca. She respectfully requested that photographs of the children not be included on the web site.
SOS Children's Village:SOS Children's Village is an international organization that provides a new home for children who have lost their parents or who for other reasons can no longer live with their parents (for example, because the parents have abandoned their children, are alcoholics, or are in prison). The children live in small groups (between 6 and 9) and one SOS staff member, called the SOS-mother. Each "family" has its own house on the premises of the Children's Village. The Children's Village in Abovyan, located in central Armenia, consists of approximately 80 healthy children between the ages of 9 months and 15 years old. When the children turn 15, they move to one of three SOS centers in Yerevan, the capital city, where they remain until age 20. The Director of SOS Children's Village in Armenia is Mr. Ashot Kocharyan.
Trchoonian Home:Trchoonian Home is a privately-funded orphanage in Gyumri. One of the largest cities in Armenia, Gyumri is located in the northwest section of Armenia. Trchoonian Home opened in September 2003 and houses approximately 60 intellectually gifted children between the ages of 3 and 12. The Director of Trchoonian Home is Mrs. Sonya Simonyan.
Vanadzor Orphanage:Vanadzor Orphanage is a privately-funded orphanage in Vanadzor. Located in the north-central section of Armenia, Vanadzor houses approximately 110 healthy children 18 years old and under. One of the traditions at Vanadzor is to plant a tree every time a child is adopted or when guests visit the orphanage (link to pictures of tree under Vanadzor photos). The Director of Vanadzor is Mr. Arshalouys Haroutounian.
Vardashen:Vardashen is a state-funded, special boarding school in the capital city of Yerevan. Located in central Armenia, Vardashen houses approximately 83 healthy children who "exhibit socially dangerous behavior" between the ages of 6 and 18. The Director of Vardashen is Mrs. Larisa Sargsyan.
Zadik Orphanage:Zadik Orphanage is a state-funded orphanage in the capital city of Yerevan. Located in central Armenia, Zadik houses approximately 138 healthy children between the ages of 6 and 18. After the age of 18, the children have the option of moving on to either Rainbow House or a farming village in Arzni. Rainbow House is sustained, in part, by crafting greeting cards, which are sold throughout Armenia. The farming village is approximately 15 kilometers from the orphanage. The Director of Zadik Orphanage is Mr. Ashot Mnatsakanyan.
