Building homes, communities

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Building on Faith in process

“Building on Faith” Project was started on July 21, 2009 with the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians and with the efforts of local and international volunteers. As a result of this partnership between Armenian Holy Apostolic church and Fuller Center for Housing Armenia, 20 families will soon have a decent place to live in and raise their children healthy and happy.

Five families out of 20 have already completed their homes and moved to live there; the rest will be able to complete their homes by Summer. The selected families are spread in 11 different communities.

Torosyan family from Khor Virap, Ararat region is one of the selected families. They have completed the house and celebrated the dedication on September 4, 2009. The family consists of 5 people, father is a veterinary and mother is managing family’s farm. Previously they have been living in damaged parental house which needed urgent reconstruction.

“It is very difficult for me to express my feelings: it is the happiness of a mother who knows that now her children and grand children are under a safe roof and have a healthy yet simple place to live”, - said grandmother Seda.

Another selected family, Nazaryans from Lusadzor village lived in a “domik” (metal container) for 13 years. Currently they build their home and very soon will complete it.

The mother of the family expressed: “Now I believe in miracles. After 13 years of living in a metal container I have already lost hope that someday we will have an opportunity to live in a decent, healthy home. And now this dream is so close.”

The celebration of joy: Aslanyan family from Ujan village

In 1994, Hakob returned back to his family and had to share his parent’s home with his brother and his family as well. It was very difficult while they all lived in this 30 sq./m home. In order to be able to afford building their future home, Hakob was working very hard each day. Aslanyan family from Ujan village were looking forward in having a fully built home of their own one day. However, in 1990, Hakob had to go to army to protect the borders of his homeland. His wife and two daughters had no choice but to move in and live with Hakob’s parents.

One of Hakob’s friends owned a half built home and suggested that the family might want to invest into the half built home and pay him back slowly. In 1998, the Aslanyan family moved to that half built home. Hakob was trying to build the house but with the earning of driver it was impossible to care of the family expenses as well as to complete the house construction.

In 2008, when the second and youngest son was born, the family managed to finish another room by selling some of the cattle.

The Aslanyan family pray was heard, as in 2009 they were selected as a partner family of Fuller Center for Housing Armenia and in the frame of “Building on Faith” project their house was completed. On the December 26, 2009 the Aslanyans celebrated the Home Blessing ceremony. Today we are happy to say that the two sisters are honor students attending the Yerevan State University.

“Everything looks like a miracle; sometimes I think this is a dream and soon I will wake up…but no, thanks God, no, that is true, it is real, our children are in a safe house now. Now our family prays for those in housing need, for those parents and children that are homeless and have no roof over them. Thanks to all our supporters we have our own home. May God bless them all”, - said Shahandukht, the mother of the Aslanyan family.

Comments from 2009 Global Builders team members

2009 volunteers, team leader Leo Mauelian

Leo Manuelian, NJ: “This is my 6th trip to Armenia and I am so happy to meet my Armenian friends and families again. A year around I could not wait to see my beloved mountain Ararat and my homeland. The house building project is so vital for Armenia and I am so proud of the people at Fuller Center Armenia that works so hard to fulfill this project in all around Armenia. I am glad knowing that we will be the part of this building project. These two weeks are so important for all of us. There is nothing to compare with the happiness of the families who build a house after long time living without any conditions and would be finally have their own simple, decent and comfortable home. Believe me it deserves to pass such long way and to see their happy faces. God bless you all and thank you for your dedication. “

Perry Sarkisian, NJ, NY: “This makes us to be happy to knowing that many families will live in simple, comfortable houses which are every human right. Let’s make a difference everywhere there is a need.”

Heather Skolnick, 19 years old student, NY: “This was my first chance to visit my homeland and to help my people in housing need to build their house. We all must think about difference we can make together. Let’s have our part in this vital mission and help people to have their place in this world to have their own house. I am glad that I participate in this project and build my first house in my life. I love my country…”

Nicole Kerbeykian NY, student: “The most interesting part of our trip was working side by side with family...".

Melanie Sluyter, 19 years old student, NY: “…I will never forget all I have seen here.”

Garren Angacian 15 years old, NJ, NY: "I am here with my father. This is my first trip to Armenia and first time with Fuller Center Armenia. I heard about this project from my aunt Nadya who was volunteering last year. I am thankful to her to encouraging us to come and build houses for those who are less lucky than we are.”

Vasilia Anayiotos, 15 years old, Greece: “…Armenian people are so friendly, hospitable and beautiful. I met villagers and worked with them shoulders by shoulders with my team members, enjoyed work and meal together. Thank you Fuller Center Armenia for this chance.”

Jennifer Aitken, 16 years old student, NJ, NY: “Have never been in Armenia before. ... I have to say that I have never done such works before but was so satisfied what we did at site.”

Brian Kerbeykian, student, NY: “ I knew that coming back again this summer and volunteering to help build homes would be a great experience. The families that we were with were extremely friendly, and the fact that they were helping everyone out created a great relationship with everyone.”

Cynthia Erickson’s team

Cynthia Erickson: “While growing up, I came to be quite interested in Armenian things and my heritage, probably primarily because of my Armenian grandmother, Khashkhatoun, a Genocide survivor. Food, foreign languages, accents, talk of her homeland are all aspects of what she gave to her grandchildren…I am really looking forward to helping fellow Armenians obtain a home of their own as they live and work in the homeland of my grandparents. Every time I return to Armenia, the experience is just as rewarding as past visits have been. “

Charles Takesian FL: “…I enjoyed working with the program and look forward to going back each year. It is such a good feeling helping my fellow Armenians and seeing the great appreciation they have in making their lives a little better. …”

Suzy Daghlian team

Lori Hovsepian: “Their (the local family) hospitality and Armenian spirit is so uplifting. One day I hope to witness every Armenian family living in a comfortable and safe home.”

Marisa Fenarjian: “This has allowed me to reconnect with my roots while getting to know and work next to a wonderful family, who has set a great example of Armenian hospitality and warmth.”

Ron and Gloria Greenwald team

Carol Andrews: ”Before the trip I knew nothing about the country. Now I sympathize with their suffering throughout their history, admire their strength, love their warmth and pray for their future. I thank you for a wonderful experience! … We need noting to understand others languages to feel the warmth & appreciation which radiated on the site. Thank you so much for the delicious food, sightseeing, guardianship, friendship, etc. Again ”What a privilege!!”

Craig Andrews: I really enjoyed the positive work attitude of the host families and their relatives. The host family certainly appreciated the teams work attitude. Without a doubt The Fuller Center is definitely making a difference with overcoming the need for World Housing. Fuller Center For Housing has a good understanding of the need for housing in Armenia.

Gloria Diana Ramos Greenwald: “The first few days we all left the table each lunch and dinner saying “I won’t eat again for a long time”. The last day we left the table just as full but saying “When is the next (wonderful) meal?”

Ron Greenwald: “I enjoyed the responses from the kids. At first they were very wary of us, but gradually we “earned” their trust, and I was very moved when the little boy gave me a hug when we left. “

James Bartroff: “Thank you very much for your hospitality and for showing us your beautiful country.”

John Gillette: “I have no hesitation in recommending others to this program and wish it great success in the future.”

Christmas miracles - Aslanyan family

Christmas miracles

It was in 1988 when Hakob sold the area where he should build his home; bought arm left his wife and 2 daughters with his parents and left for Gharabagh to protect the borders of his homeland. He returned in 1994 and shared his parents’ 30sq/m home with his brother’s family and worked hard to earn money and to get area build his home. One of his friends suggested Aslanyan family his half-built house with the terms to pay step by step. In 1998 the family had to move into this half-built house without any conditions. Year by year, little by little Hakob was trying to finish the house construction but with the earning of driver it was impossible to care of the family expenses as well as to finish the house.

The two eldest girls are already students of the Yerevan State University and are high achievers. These children grown up on the concrete, the place where there is no sanitation, no kitchen conditions - just walls. In 2008 when the youngest son was born Hakob managed to finish a room by selling dairy cattle for the little boy could spend the frosty winter in a little bit more save conditions.