At just 20 years old, Nare Simonyan has already built a name for herself in her hometown of Sisian. Today, many locals simply know her as "Nare the photographer"-a title she wears with pride. What began as curiosity has grown into a thriving small business. Nare has opened her own photography studio, making it one of only two studios currently operating in the town. After graduating from school, she enrolled in the Armenian State Pedagogical University in Yerevan to study pho

Looking out from the balcony, it feels as though I’m gazing at our own mountains,” says 42-year-old Lianna Asryan, who was forcibly displaced from Khndzristan village in the Askeran region of Artsakh with her family in September 2023. She recalls that their journey to Armenia took four days. They had to leave behind two homes and their car because there was no fuel available. “As soon as we reached Goris, one of my husband’s former military comrades, who lives in Getahovit vi

Four-year-old Ashot Saribekyan, who attends kindergarten in the village of Kosh in the Ashtarak community, has a clear list of favorite meals: harisa, dolma, and pilaf made with buckwheat and beef. Five-year-old Ani Petrosyan, whose family was displaced from Artsakh and has since settled in Kosh, especially enjoys two dishes from the kindergarten menu—spas, a traditional Armenian yogurt soup, and an omelet with peas. For children like Ashot and Ani, nutritious meals are more

Nursing is not simply about assisting doctors — it is a distinct profession and one of the most demanding and responsible fields in healthcare, participants emphasized during the conference titled “A New Era in Nursing.” Organized by the American University of Armenia BSN alumni association, the Association of Hematology, Oncology, and Palliative Care Nurses, in collaboration with the Fund for Armenian Relief, the conference aimed to address key challenges in the field and cr

At 25, Aram Manukyan describes himself as someone who is curious and always ready to seize opportunities to learn and grow. After finishing school, he explored a wide range of fields at the Sisian State College, studying everything from dance and painting to woodworking and computer science. In his free time, he even enjoyed building miniature models of churches. After learning about a free course on solar energy system installation, repair, and maintenance, Aram didn’t hesit

“FAR Introduced me to my profession. I studied at university for six years, but it was at FAR’s Berd office that I truly discovered my profession—and most importantly, learned to love it,” says 36-year-old social worker Valya Apresyan. Valya had enrolled in the Faculty of Sociology at Yerevan State University almost by chance—her exam scores simply matched the department’s requirements. At the time, she had only a vague idea of what her future career might look like. She reca

For about a year now, visitors to the Jujuvan Medical and Midwifery Center have been receiving healthcare services in a significantly improved and more comfortable environment. The facility was renovated within the framework of the FAR’s “Breaking the Cycle of Poverty in Tavush Region” program (BCPP). Patients are warmly welcomed with care and a smile by family physician Dr. Narine Hovhannisyan and the center’s nurse, Kima Hovhannisyan. According to them, before the renova

Nora Balluyan, originally from Artsakh, spent just 19 days studying at Artsakh State University before her life was abruptly interrupted by the Armenian Azerbaijani war. Following the displacement of 2023 , her family resettled in Armenia, marking the beginning of a completely new and challenging chapter. “At first, it was really hard to live here and continue my studies,” Nora recalls. Back in Artsakh, she had studied English, German, and Russian. However, at Bryusov State

In every stitch and seam, the story of SENAR Home Textiles reflects a deep-rooted love for craft, family tradition, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives local businesses forward. Founded by Narine Hovhannisyan and her husband, Seyran Arakelyan, blends generations of textile know-how with modern small-business innovation. At 52, Narine carries the legacy of craft passed down through her family. “My grandmothers were engaged in needlework,” she shares. “I learned from t

Sixteen-year-old Mari Panosyan from Parakar once imagined a very different future for herself. Like many students her age, she tried different paths before discovering what truly inspired her. “At first I was studying programming,” Mari says. “But I realized it wasn’t really for me.” Not long after, she learned about the Armenian Creative Technologies College (ACT) and its Digital Art Department. The program immediately caught her attention. Curious and excited, she began p

Every morning, 80-year-old Anaida Atanesyan opens the window to let in the fresh air before beginning her day. She prepares a natural face mask she made herself, applies lotion, and takes a few quiet moments to care for her skin. Anaida has always loved cosmetology, and even now she continues creating her own lotions and skincare as part of her daily routine. “It may seem small,” she says, “but when I take care of myself, I feel alive and strong.” These simple rituals bring

For Vrezh and Marine , hairdressing is not just a profession or a chance to learn something new. It is a safe and welcoming space where they can breathe out, let go of tension, and simply be themselves. At the James and Marta Batmasian Vocational Training Center in Parakar, students with and without disabilities learn side by side, sharing the same classrooms, the same dreams, and the same laughter. Seventeen-year-old Vrezh Aghababyan and sixteen-year-old Marine Madatyan,

Mathematics and informatics have always been at the heart of Tsovak Yegoryan’s academic journey. From an early age, he showed a deep curiosity for how things work and a natural talent for problem-solving. That curiosity soon turned into action as he began participating in major international Olympiads in mathematics and informatics. Over the years, Tsovak has built an impressive record of achievements, earning numerous medals and certificates at the International Olympiad in

Caring for older adults has always been at the heart of FAR’s work. From the Soup Kitchens that provide daily meals to vulnerable seniors, to the long-term, compassionate care offered at the Vanadzor Old Age Home, FAR has been committed to supporting the wellbeing, dignity, and community of Armenia’s elders. By 2050, nearly one in four Armenians will be over the age of 60, and today, through our partnership with the Armenian Association of Geriatrics and Gerontology (AAGG) ,

When Hrant Avetisyan received his university acceptance letter four years ago, it should have been a moment of pure joy. Instead, it came with a heavy truth: his admission score was just one point shy of qualifying for free tuition. For a young man who had lost his father and was already carrying the weight of family responsibility, that one point could have changed everything. Hrant, now 21 and in his final year of software engineering at the National Polytechnic University

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, The Cafe on the Edge of the World, The Kite Runner, And the Mountains Echoed, A Thousand Splendid Suns —and many other books—are always close at hand on Anahit’s table. Sixteen-year-old Anahit Bagamyan is drawn to psychological and philosophical books. Even when the stories end painfully, she says she does not feel discouraged. For her, these books are a way of understanding life, of lea

For Gurgen and his friend Samvel, the idea of starting a business took shape years ago while they were serving in Stepanakert. As they talked through different possibilities, one priority stood out: their work had to benefit the environment. After careful thought, they chose paper recycling as the foundation for their future business. However, soon after they began planning, unexpected challenges intervened. First came the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the war, which forced

Seventeen years ago, I, Ruzan Gishyan , stepped into this same office for the first time as a first-year student at Yerevan State University. Today, I work at the Fund for Armenian Relief , a place that feels warm, familiar, and deeply personal. Back then, my journey nearly took a different turn. One missing point placed me in the paid system, and I remember how crushing that felt. Journalism had been my dream since I was seven years old-the kind of dream you don’t question,

On December 19, FAR hosted its annual Christmas reception at the Nikoghosyan Cultural Foundation's exhibition hall, bringing together nearly 40 Continuing Medical Education (CME) trainers and healthcare professionals for an evening filled with warmth, gratitude, and meaningful connection. The gathering served as an opportunity to reflect on the collective efforts that continue to strengthen Armenia’s healthcare system, even in the face of ongoing challenges. FAR’s Health Pro

Inside the “Artsakhi Hats” (Bread of Artsakh), you’ll discover baked goods made in-house and from scratch: the tasty reasons this bakery business has become one of the best bakeries of Achajur village of cross-border Tavush Province of Armenia. But if you arrive early in the morning, you may miss one of the key people behind Artsakhi Hats’ success. Ganna Hakobyan, the main baker, starts her day at 4 a.m., preparing bread and pastries before sunrise. One of several family memb

Caring for their own health as mothers, supporting their children and grandchildren, and learning how to better nurture their families-these goals brought together nearly 350 girls, mothers, and grandmothers in Vayk, Malishka, Yeghegis, Shatin in Vayots Dzor, and Chambarak in Gegharkunik. Many were displaced from Artsakh; others were longtime residents. All came with a shared hope to learn, connect, and strengthen their well-being through a FAR-supported community health prog