On October 22, 2021, Osanna Astoyan, a 32-year-old mother of three daughters—Knarik, 14, Ani, 10, and Marine, 6—received a life-changing call from FAR informing her that her application for the FAR’s Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP) had been approved. This meant her daughters would each receive a stipends annually until they turned 18, providing crucial support to their family.
“It was just a week before Ani’s sixth birthday,” Osanna recalls. “Thanks to this support, I managed to organize a small celebration. The cake was adorable, decorated with a Barbie doll, butterflies, marshmallows, and lollipops. The joy in Ani’s eyes as she blew out the candles is something I’ll never forget.”
Osanna has been the backbone of her family since her husband’s tragic passing in a car crash in 2018. Living in Gyumri, where harsh winters demand extra heating, she’s had to stretch every penny to keep her daughters safe and warm in their humid home.
“The support from CASP has been a lifeline for us,” Osanna shares candidly. “Every autumn, I use the stipend to buy firewood. Keeping my children warm is essential, especially in such a damp house. This year, I even replaced the windows through the support to help keep the heat in during winter.”
But the financial aid has done more than just keep the family warm. It’s also opened up new opportunities for the girls. Osanna proudly mentions a new tradition linked to the CASP support: a pilgrimage to St. Hovhannes Church in Shirak Province to thank God for the kindness of those who have helped them through difficult times.
In addition, the stipend has allowed the sisters to attend dance classes and participate in international festivals. Knarik recently took first place at a festival in Tbilisi, Georgia. “Without this financial help, I would have had to take out a loan to afford the trip,” admits the mother.
Through the CASP program, generously supported by the dedicated volunteers of the Women’s Guild of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (WGCC), children like Knarik, Ani, and Marine are given the chance to pursue their dreams and build meaningful lives.
By donating to FAR today, you can be a part of their journey, empowering them to reach for their dreams and create brighter futures.
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