Early in the morning, the “Hanganak” team headed to Lori to provide food and bedding supplies to 18 local beneficiaries.
Our first stop was the village of Arjahovit, where we had planned to visit Mrs. A. Unfortunately, tight schedules didn’t allow for a personal meeting, so we entrusted her aid package to her nephew, who met us along the way.
Next, we arrived in Arjut, home to two of our beneficiaries—Mrs. Zh. and her ailing sister. The meeting was heartfelt. Mrs. Zh. hadn’t answered our calls earlier, and as we guessed, she was busy in her garden. Her previous crop had failed, but she was already replanting with hopeful determination. With a smile, she invited us to taste her tomatoes and cucumbers on our next visit. She also proudly showed us her new flock of chickens—the older ones had grown well, and she was preparing to sell the young roosters next month.
From there, we continued to Vanadzor, where we arranged for food and bedding to be sent by bus to four beneficiaries in Alaverdi (a visit we’ve scheduled for next month).
In Vanadzor, we met Mrs. A., who has moved four times since her displacement. She hopes to stay in her current rented apartment a little longer. Welcoming us warmly, she served freshly baked Artsakh pakhlava—so fragrant that no photo could do it justice.
Our final stop was the home of Mrs. I., where seven beneficiaries had gathered. Each brought something to share—homemade peach jam, fresh fruit, and a cake baked by Mrs. I. herself. Her house, bought with compensation for her forced displacement from Shushi after years of service in Artsakh’s army, has become a meeting place for “Hanganak” beneficiaries. Here, they often gather to share stories and companionship.
We’re glad to report that all the beneficiaries we visited are in stable health. However, they shared concerns about lack of access to necessary medications at local polyclinics. We’ve promised to follow up on this issue during our next trip.
The aid distributions—made possible by the American Armenian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA)—were met with deep gratitude. Thanks to AWWA’s support, we can continue assisting the most vulnerable among Artsakh’s displaced: elderly individuals living alone.
For more glimpses of the visit, explore the photo gallery below.
