FAR

PRESIDENT
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
Diocese of the Armenian Church

CHAIRMAN
Kevork S. Hovnanian
Chairman and CEO
K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.

VICE CHAIRMAN
Edgar Housepian, M.D.
Professor of Neurosurgery
Columbia University

SECRETARY
Edward M. Chapian, Esq.
Partner, Chapian and Chapian

TREASURER
Martin V. Azarian
President
International Universities Press

DIRECTORS
Carl J. Bazarian
Annette Choolfaian, R.N. M.P.A.Haig R. Dadourian
George Kassis
Rev. Fr. Mampre Kouzouian
Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Simon Y. Balian, Esq.

The Fund for Armenian (FAR) was founded after the devastating earthquake which struck Northern Armenia in December 1988. As the humanitarian arm of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, it was originally known as the Diocesan Fund for Armenian relief (DFAR). In March 1993, FAR was formally reorganized into a Private Voluntary Organization and was reorganized into a charitable organization and was recognized as a 501 ( c ) (3) non-profit charitable organization by the Internal revenue Service. FAR is headquartered in New York City and has branch offices in Yerevan and Gyumri, Armenia as well as Stepanagert in Nagorno Karabagh. Since its inception, FAR has channeled over $100 million in humanitarian assistance to Armenia.

The goal of FAR remain the same as when it was established:

Provide short term emergency relief to those in need; and
Implement projects and programs, which will have long term positive effects on the economic and social development of the country.

SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY RELIEF
In providing short-term emergency relief, the cornerstone of FAR’s projects is the USDA FOOD DISTRIBUTION project in which FAR receives thousands of tons of food commodities which are then distributed to the needy throughout Armenia. FAR has set up a comprehensive distribution network in Armenia. FAR has a large number of trained and dedicated staff members and monitors to manage distribution. All relief shipments consigned to FAR are unloaded, transported and distributed under tight security and supervision. Since its inception, FAR has distributed over 125,000,000 pounds of food consisting of powdered milk, infant formula, flour, peas, pasta, soy meal, rice, vegetable oil, butter oil, and children’s vitamins valued at over $77 million.

FAR has reached out and continues to help feed the unemployed, orphans, kindergartens, hospitals, boarding schools, summer camps, veterans, students, handicapped, artists, teachers, and refugees. FAR is the largest recipient of food aid from the USDA for Armenia.

FAR maintains a flexible stance with respect to providing short-term emergency relief in Armenia. Whether it’s a sudden mudslide in Southern Armenia which ruins several villages, or an orphanage that runs out of heating oil in the dead of winter, FAR is ready to commit the necessary resources to assist.

LONG TERM ASSSISTANCE
FAR’s long term projects include a myriad of other projects:

Agricultural Projects:
FAR also successfully financed and implemented several projects in the agricultural sector designed to provide farmers in Etchmiadzin, Northern Armenia and Karabagh with the necessary tools, fuel, funds and technical expertise to produce better crops and ultimately make Armenia agriculturally self-sufficient.

Construction Projects:
From the very start, FAR has initiated major construction projects which entailed rebuilding and repairing approximately 15 schools, orphanages, summer camps, seminaries, radio towers, bridges, roads, apartment houses, parks, a water reservoir system, a water pipeline and irrigation system.

Medical Projects:
For the tenth year running, FAR has been supplying more than 85 medical journals, CD Roms, and other educational books in English to the National Medical Library at the Ministry of Health. The library now has one of the best collections in the former Soviet Union. The Library is used by healthcare professionals for educational, research and development purposes.

Paros Project:
FAR, with the assistance of the Yerevan Institute of Computer Research and development, Yerevan State University and the Ministry of Labor and Social Services also designed and implemented the PAROS system in Armenia through a grant from US Agency for International Development. This system is also known as the new Welfare and Social Security System of Armenia and took 4 years to complete. It is a sophisticated and accurate voluntary registration system in which over 800,000 families are registered and assigned a vulnerability index number. This allows FAR and any other charitable organizations seeking to distribute humanitarian aid Armenia, to pinpoint the truly needy.

Education:
In 1997, FAR started a scholarship program which guarantees a full scholarship until graduation from the university (usually five years) provided that the recipients (a) maintain a certain grade point average, and (b) the family remains financially needy. This project is funded by an endowment established by philanthropist, Ms. Anoush Mathevosian.

In 1997, 10 recipients were awarded Mathevosian Scholarships, all of whom re-qualified in 1998. In 1998, 11 more students were bestowed the similar honor. A total of 21 students now receive the Mathevosian Scholarships. Ten more students will be selected in 1999.

FAR also funded the publication of the "Aybenaran" the Armenian language textbook for the first grade and distributed 66,000 copies to all new first grade entrants in 1997.

FAR is currently sponsoring an "Older Orphans Vocational Training Program" and the Vocational training and Entrepreneurship Project in Gyumri. The former Program trains 18 year old orphans in various marketable skills after they leave their respective orphanages after turning 18. The latter program is designed to stimulate the economy and promote entrepreneurship in the city of Gyumri. Both projects are deemed a success and FAR hopes to expand its 3fforts in these areas.

Street Children’s Reception Center:
In 1997, FAR embarked on a mission to save the street children of Yerevan. These children, whose numbers are estimated to be approximately 400, roam the streets of Yerevan and other cities, and beg for food and money. Some of these children are orphans while some come from families that are too poor to support them. They turn to the streets in desperation. FAR undertook the renovation of an old run down building in Yerevan and will take over as the guardians of these children. Working in conjunction with various educational and health care institutions, FAR will take these children in, perform complete multi-faceted diagnostic procedures on them and try to unite them with their families. If this option is not viable, FAR will care for them and give them a new beginning. These children will be nurtured spiritually and physically by the dedicated and professionally trained FAR staff.