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LIKE A BIG FAMILY
Susanna Balayan
Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
10 April 07
The home of old and disabled people of Stepanakert was founded in
1995, a year after the cease-fire. Elderly people who lost their
homes and relatives during the war found shelter there. Presently
the Old People's Home has 67 inhabitants. Another 150 people live in
their apartments but the staff of the Home takes care of them. Irina
Sargisian, the director of the Home since 1997, says that unfortunately
the number of elderly people who need their help grows. Irina Sargisian
found it difficult to answer why. "It is difficult to say without
analyzing the cause. As to me, I wish these people lived surrounded
with the love and care of their families. But since they lack family
warmth, we try our best to be careful and attentive to them," she
said. "It is like a big family." Irina Sargisian says the Home holds
different events for the elderly people. The folk band of Shushi,
Nairuhi Alaverdian, Rashid Gharabagtsi, the folk choir, the students
of the art school after Gyurjian, Erudite School, the school of the
village of Shosh have performed for the elderly people.
Usually the old people watch TV, listen to music, and in good whether
they work the garden. The Home is sustained by the government. "The
government pays the salaries of the workers of the Home, nevertheless,
we would like to have sponsors, Irina Sargisian says. Shant Ltd and
the Armenian Evangelical Society sometimes help us, but one-time aid
is not enough. If we had a sponsor who would provide at least 1000
drams per pensioner for small expenses every month, it would relieve
some of our problems. They get 25 percent of their salary in cash,
the rest is spent on their needs, nevertheless, it is too little,"
she says. Another problem is the building. "Last time it was repaired
8 years ago," Irina Sargisian said.
Susanna Balayan
Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
10 April 07
The home of old and disabled people of Stepanakert was founded in
1995, a year after the cease-fire. Elderly people who lost their
homes and relatives during the war found shelter there. Presently
the Old People's Home has 67 inhabitants. Another 150 people live in
their apartments but the staff of the Home takes care of them. Irina
Sargisian, the director of the Home since 1997, says that unfortunately
the number of elderly people who need their help grows. Irina Sargisian
found it difficult to answer why. "It is difficult to say without
analyzing the cause. As to me, I wish these people lived surrounded
with the love and care of their families. But since they lack family
warmth, we try our best to be careful and attentive to them," she
said. "It is like a big family." Irina Sargisian says the Home holds
different events for the elderly people. The folk band of Shushi,
Nairuhi Alaverdian, Rashid Gharabagtsi, the folk choir, the students
of the art school after Gyurjian, Erudite School, the school of the
village of Shosh have performed for the elderly people.
Usually the old people watch TV, listen to music, and in good whether
they work the garden. The Home is sustained by the government. "The
government pays the salaries of the workers of the Home, nevertheless,
we would like to have sponsors, Irina Sargisian says. Shant Ltd and
the Armenian Evangelical Society sometimes help us, but one-time aid
is not enough. If we had a sponsor who would provide at least 1000
drams per pensioner for small expenses every month, it would relieve
some of our problems. They get 25 percent of their salary in cash,
the rest is spent on their needs, nevertheless, it is too little,"
she says. Another problem is the building. "Last time it was repaired
8 years ago," Irina Sargisian said.