
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” ~ Matthew 5:16
200th home milestone – an achievement that signifies that already 200 families have left behind the status of homelessness forever, and now have a strong foundation for improved heath, educational, and psychological well-being.
The Fuller Center for Housing Armenia 200th home belongs to the Manoukyan family from the Areni village in the region of Vayots Dzor.
“This house is like a fairy tale.I still can’t believe it’s true. For the first time in his life, my eight-year-old son is able to take a “real shower”, not the one he was used to with pots of water. He didn’t want to get out of the bathroom! I will never forget how happy he was,” Marine Manoukyan shares through tears of happiness.
For many of us the term “real shower” might sound strange. We can’t begin to imagine what hot running water or a bathroom in the house means to a family who has never had or dared to dream about this luxury.
For a very long time, the Manoukyan family was living in a metal container(domik) in unbearable conditions without a kitchen or indoor plumbing. They used an outhouse for their bathroom needs and pots to bathe. The family is a hard working one: both parents work at the local winery, and they have small orchard and are engaged in farming. However, with the needs of their growing family, these industrious people were only able to built part of their home, and couldn’t complete the construction due to financial difficulties. They could neither qualify for a loan from the bank nor afford to make mortgage payments.
In the same village, the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia assisted a neighboring family in 2011. The Manoukyans volunteered with construction of their neighbor’s house, praying that one day they would quaify their own home. In early 2012, the family was selected to partner with the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia.
Thanks to generous donations and assistance from members of St. John Armenian Church of Greater Detroit, the construction of the Manoukyans’ home has been completed. Every year, the Detroit church supports a group of volunteers who join the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia to build homes side by side with families in need. The volunteers spend their vacations lending a helping hand to eliminate poverty housing and give a homeless family great happiness and joy. This longtime partnership transforms lives and gives families the opportunity for a better and brighter future.
“You gave my children the chance to succeed in life. We are so greateful, let this happiness find others too,” said Vasil Manoukyan, the family father.
“As Armeniana in the Diaspora, we all have a strong desire to help Armenians in our home land. We are fortunate that St. John Armenian Church of Greater Detroit has a large community, and we have been able to sponsor each home and make their day to day life easier. The team feels that they are their new family. Each member felt a bond with the Manoukyans and our ties to Armenia are even stronger. Each home is a labor of love Mr. John Yavruian, who underwrote the cost of the Manoukyan home, has also participated in two previous home built teams,” says Jacqueline Melkonian Elchemmas, the team leader and a member of St John Armenian Church of Greater Detroit. Elchemmas is a six-year veteran leading Global Builders Volunteer teams to Armneia.”