CONSEQUENCES OF POOR LIVING CONDITIONS

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[04:30 pm] 30 January, 2009

The Sahakyans and Haroyans differ from the other families of the
neighbourhood. One is deprived of family benefit; the other has no
dwelling place. They both live in domiks – "temporary" shelters in
Gyumri’s Nor Avan district.

The eight-member family of Sahakyans has been denied family benefit
since there is a workman in the family. 71-year-old Lusine Sahakyan
has diabetes which has led to gangrene.

The Haroyans live side by side with the Sahakyans. One of the
family’s two children, 15-year-old Varsik always has a bandage on her
mouth. Doctors say her white blood cells are below normal. Varsik is
aware of her illness. She knows that the cancer found in the glands
has spread reaching her chest and armpit.

Alongside with other medicines, the doctor has recommended that the
child be taken to a warmer and drier place with more sunlight. Varsik
studies in the 9th form. She hasn’t gone to school for six weeks. She
has been warned against reading as chemical medicines can cause
blindness.

The treatment will take another two years. But the family’s financial
state hinders the child’s further treatment. "I can no longer keep
the child here as she gets a cold in the domik. I cannot afford to
buy the necessary medicine," says the girl’s mother Mrs. Karine.

The only workman in the family is Grigor Haroryan who cannot even
afford the family’s bare necessities. Thanks to Haroryan’s friends
Varsik has undergone five courses of treatment.

In her diary Varsik writes she would like to do reading and watch
photos. God grant that she may spend more time with her friends
and relatives.