On October 16, Hanganak Charity NGO organized another warm and memorable excursion, bringing together our older beneficiaries from Hrazdan, Yerevan, and Vanadzor.
In the morning, two buses set out from Yerevan and Hrazdan, carrying around 42 participants. Approximately 20 older adults joined us from Hrazdan, including 10 beneficiaries of Mission Armenia’s Hrazdan Day Care Center. Another 20 participants came from Yerevan, while two of our beneficiaries traveled from Vanadzor to share the day with us.
The groups met in Garni, surrounded by autumn sunshine, fresh air, and trees glowing in shades of gold. From the first moments, the day was filled with warm greetings, smiles, and the joy of seeing familiar faces.
Meeting Armenia’s History in Garni
The administration of the Garni Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve generously welcomed our beneficiaries free of charge, giving them the opportunity to visit one of Armenia’s most remarkable historical and cultural sites.
The Garni complex preserves important evidence of Armenia’s ancient past. It includes the renowned colonnaded temple, remains of a royal summer residence, and a Roman bathhouse with a remarkable mosaic floor created from natural stones of different colors. Here, history is not only seen—it can almost be felt through every stone.
Our participants explored the complex, visited the royal baths, learned about the historic surroundings, and admired the magnificent views over the Azat River gorge.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the administration of the Garni Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve for their warm welcome and for offering our older participants complimentary admission. Their generosity made the experience more accessible, meaningful, and memorable for everyone.
Peace, Prayer, and Nature in Geghard
From Garni, the buses continued to the Monastery of Geghard. According to tradition, the monastery’s origins are associated with the earliest years of Christianity in Armenia and with Saint Gregory the Illuminator. With churches partly carved into the rock and architecture that blends harmoniously with the surrounding cliffs, the medieval monastery and the Upper Azat Valley have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000.
Our older participants walked through the monastery complex and lit candles for their loved ones, for health, and for peace. They drank from the spring flowing within the monastery, whose water is traditionally considered sacred, and spent quiet moments within the peaceful stone walls.
These moments were deeply personal. Some prayed, some remembered homes left behind, while others simply embraced the comfort of being together and surrounded by care.
A Shared Meal Accompanied by Birds and Flowing Water
After visiting the monastery, we organized a meal for the participants in the pavilions near the Geghard parking area. Beneath golden trees, accompanied by birdsong and the cheerful murmur of the stream below, the older adults enjoyed their food, talked warmly, made new acquaintances, and shared memories.
A simple meal became a large family gathering. The participants who had arrived from different cities no longer felt like separate groups. They sat together around one table, connected by shared memories, their familiar Artsakh dialect, and the natural warmth of understanding one another.
The beneficiaries of Mission Armenia’s Day Care Center were especially happy to join the excursion and enjoy warm communication with their compatriots from Artsakh. Their sincere smiles and words of gratitude once again showed how meaningful such opportunities are for older adults.
Returning to Cherished Memories
In Artsakh, Hanganak organized similar excursions and cultural gatherings every year. They were among the most anticipated days for our older beneficiaries—opportunities to spend time together in nature, visit historical and spiritual places, share conversations, and step away from everyday worries.
After forced displacement, the need for such days has become even greater. For our participants, these excursions are not simply recreational outings. They are a return to familiar traditions, trusted relationships, and the reassuring feeling of belonging to a community that remembers them, cares for them, and does not leave them alone.
We are deeply encouraged to see that the number of participants grows with each excursion, while more and more older adults express their wish to join future activities. This is the clearest confirmation that such events are not only enjoyable but essential for reducing social isolation, building new relationships, and sustaining interest and joy in life.
Hanganak Charity NGO expresses its profound gratitude to UNHCR Armenia and the Eurasia Partnership Foundation, as well as to the Armenian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA). By combining resources made available through their support, we were able to provide transportation, refreshments, and this memorable experience for our older beneficiaries.
We also thank Mission Armenia Charity NGO for its cooperation and every participant whose warmth, smiles, and genuine joy made this golden autumn day truly unforgettable.