Hambardzum Simonyan, Health Programs Director of the FAR, is well aware of the activities of Hanganak NGO. Back in 2008, when FAR finished its large-scale project in Artsakh and closed the office, all the office furniture and equipment were distributed to local organizations. At the time, that was a big help worth thousand of dollars. It was a pleasant surprise for Hanganak NGO, along with Ministries and other state institutions, to receive modern computers, a printing device, a scanner and even a color printer, which was rare in Stepanakert for those years. The FAR even offered a Niva car, but Hanganak had to refuse it to avoid additional expenses. The FAR was familiar with Hanganak NGO activities and highly valued its work. However, there was no official visit or meeting until 2021, when Hambardzum Simonyan and the president of Hanganak NGO Gohar Hovhannisyan decided to organize trainings for the Hanganak NGO medical staff.
According to the agreement, the first training course was held in March 2022, in which 10 medical and social workers from Hanganak NGO participated. Trainings were held in the office of the Association of Healthcare and Assistance to Older People by the best specialists of the center. It is remarkable that the first training course, fully funded by the American Armenian Healthcare Professionals Association (AAHPO) within the frame of FAR projects, exceeded all expectations.
The staff of Hanganak NGO was happy to receive Hambardzum Simonyan at the Hanganak office, who, during his one-day visit, could find time with his busy schedule to visit and get acquainted with the daily routine of the organization before leaving for Yerevan. He was accompanied by his colleague Arno Hovhannisyan․
During the short visit they were introduced to some details of the Elderly Project. The guests were pleasantly surprised by the archives stored from 2004 up to day. Especially, they liked the warm atmosphere of the office.
Hambardzum Simonyan expressed his assurance that the trainings will be continuous and in October-November, 2022 the schedule will be clarified with the Association of Healthcare and Assistance to Older People.
The staff of Hanganak NGO hopes that the meeting with FAR officials will not be the last.