Mornings hold a special kind of magic in the Khachunts family. It’s the time when Hranush Khachatryan, 41, lovingly prepares the table, setting out breakfast for her children, Narek, 17, and Nare, 14. She invites them to take their seats on the newly purchased chairs—an addition to their home made possible through the CASP stipends her children have been receiving for the past six years.
By 8:30 a.m., Hranush closes the door of their modest rented home in Brnakot village and boards a crowded bus to Sisian, where she works as a baker. Meanwhile, Narek and Nare head off to their village school. Life hasn’t been easy for Hranush. After losing her husband, Artush, in a tragic car accident in 2013, she was left to raise her children alone. Unable to manage on her own, she moved back to her parents’ home in Brnakot. With their help, she regained her footing and eventually rented her own home, striving to give Narek and Nare a sense of stability.
“Everything has its upsides,” Hranush says. “Especially being a mom of two. It has its challenges, but it’s the most rewarding life I could have imagined. I’m blessed to be Narek and Nare’s mom. After their father’s death, our bond has only grown stronger. They are my backbone, and I am their strength. There are nights when I go to bed feeling defeated by all the difficulties. But I can’t let that show. If my son sees me upset in the morning, it bothers him. ‘Mom, just wait two more years,’ he tells me. ‘I’ll finish school, get a job, and then you won’t have to work. You can wait for me at home with one of your delicious dinners.’ Hearing that gives me so much hope.”
The family survives on state benefits of around $300 per month, supplemented by Hranush’s $230 bakery salary. Together, it’s just enough to cover rent, utilities, and winter firewood. Since 2018, Nare and Narek have received annual stipends through FAR’s Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP), providing a critical financial lifeline.
Hranush uses the stipends wisely, often to purchase winter clothes for the children or to improve their home. Recently, she bought chairs for their living room—a small but meaningful step toward creating a cozy space for her family. “I’m trying to make life more comfortable for my kids,” she explains. “My dream is to buy a house for them, so they can have a secure roof over their heads.”
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 Narek and Nare are given the chance to 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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