Monaco, November 17th, 2011

Dear Sponsors,

Although I have discovered Armenia a year ago, I cannot get used to the shock whild passing from the city of Yerevan to the one of Gumri,... Yerevan where everything seems "possible" and Gumri stiffling in the grey of it's low sky.

Even as Armenia continues to suffer from the countries' enclosement, from the weakness of its natural resources, from the aging of its industries and the persistance of a high level of corruption, we notice a sligh economical dynamism of the Capital. Brand boutiques and taxis are legion, cafés and restaurants are full whenever a ray of sunshine appears and the face of Yerevan evolves fast.

In Gumri, unemployement (reprensenting 60 % of the population), housing and public health are the main problems to be solved. For instance, amoung the 119 children that you support at Endanik, 40 of them still live in "domiks", these containers set up in a hurry following the earthquake of 1988 and where heating and running water are missing. Many of the children encountered have told us their waiting of a father, a brother or an uncle, who left for Russia many months ago, in search of work. The emigration of men to foreign countries is massive as, apart from a seasonal job on a building site, Gumri does not offer any work. Some come back, others find a new wife and buid a new family, abandoning their Armenian one...

The grand-parents who worked before the fall of USSR receive a pension which assures the survival of three generations : their own, the one of their children and grand-children. This small income varies between 60 to 75 $ per month and reprensents the only regular income for thousands of families. For information, a primary or secondary school teacher earns between 80.000 to 120.000 Drams per month (between 150 to 230 euros).

The rate of litteracy in Armenia is of 99 %, which means that "in theory", youngters over 15, girl or boy, knows how to read and write. But in order to have a profession, university studies are indispensable and expensive. For your godsons and daughters attending university, the entire amount of your sponsoring is used to finance their studies. For the youngest, it is used to cover school books and equipment but also, to improve their living conditions. End of October, when we visited, it was snowing in Gumri and none of the families we saw had any heating ; on the school bench, children are wearing their coats, gloves and wooly hats to follow the course of the lesson. When the money is not used for medical emergencies, mothers buy warm clothes or pay for the gaz or wood for heating.

In this context, the Boghossian and Endanik centres remain a priviledged place, to greet, educate and help the marginalized children of Gumri to blossom physically and morally.

At Boghossian, more over the centre which permanently greets 45 children (most of which orphans), Sister Arousiag has set up a technical school that trains young people as from 15 and adults to various professions. A practical and theoretical training is given in entirely equiped classes and workshops.

The large building of the Endanik Centre today welcomes 1300 children for after school activities where children can learn dancing, ceramic, English, ping-pong, wood carving... Deeply attached to their culture and to art, Armenian people take these activities with passion. The equipment available to the children are remarkable as the final results of work produced. The building is heated and the children receive a snack every afternoon.

Today, thanks to you, 159 children are sponsored in Gumri (40 at Boghossian and 119 at Endanik) ! On behalf of your godchildren and from the ones taking care of them, Sister Arousiag and her team at Boghossian ; Knarik, Arthur and the colleagues at Endanik, we thank you fullheartedly !! I also realize how lucky I am to see these children grow and arm themselves, a bit more every year, with the knowledge that, we all hope, will allow them to hope for a better future.

For the sponsors who have sent a small amount of extra money, you will find enclosed a little thank you note from your godchild, and her/his updated report.

I am at your entire disposal for any information you may be needing. Don't hesitate to call me (+377 92 05 32 03).

I thank you for your faithful and precious support.

Kind regards,

Anne Danziger
Sponsoring department

Chnorakaloutioun ! Thank you !

Website Boghossian : www.armeniansisters.org

Website : www.entanik.am