ORRAN STARTS ONE-MONTH EVENT FOR DESTITUTE CHILDREN AND ELDERLY POPULATION
Armenpress
Aug 29, 2005
YEREVAN, AUGUST 29, ARMENPRESS: Orran, a benevolent non-governmental
organization said in a press release that September 1, 2005 will mark the
beginning of a one-month event at the Armenia Mariott Hotel in Yerevan aimed
at raising awareness about and funds for Armenia’s destitute children and
elderly population.
In the month of September, the Armenia Marriott will give its guests the
opportunity to interact with and contribute to the future of the children
and elderly of Orran, a benevolent non-governmental organization formed five
years ago in Yerevan by Raffi and Armine K. Hovhanesian. In that time, Orran
has taken more than 100 children off the streets, providing them with food,
clothing, psychological services, tutoring, and an avenue for success. It
has embraced also 140 elderly.
The partnership of Orran and the Armenia Marriott Hotel in September will
be a unique attempt at intensifying the fight against destitution and
begging on Yerevan’s streets. On Wednesdays at 5pm, the children of Orran
will perform traditional Armenian songs and dances at the entrance of the
hotel. At this venue, the hotel guests will be able to interact with the
children and elderly, as well as purchase various arts and crafts the
children have made themselves. When paying for the check at the hotel’s Cafe
or restaurants, or checking out of the hotel, the guests will also be
afforded the opportunity to contribute. Their contributions will be
generously matched by Orran’s principal benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Krikor and
Anna Krikorian.
In a non-intrusive yet compelling approach, the Armenia Marriott and
Orran hope to succeed in this powerful collaboration of business and
benevolence. The Armenia Marriott Hotel general manager Katrin Hentszel
says, “This is not merely a duty but also a privilege for our hotel. The
problem of children and elderly begging on the street-and the more basic
problem of poverty-is something that needs to be solved. The Armenia
Marriott is happy to be working with the professional staff and truly
delightful beneficiaries of Orran to come one step closer to the solution.”
Orran’s founder Armine K. Hovhanesian notes, “The group effort that the
Armenia Marriott and Orran are displaying here has dual importance. In
itself, it means raising real awareness about and making real contributions
toward the future of Armenia’s children and elderly. As a symbol, it
represents the power and possibilities of collective action and goodwill.”