PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
July 15, 2005
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DIOCESE FOCUSES ON HABITAT AS WAY TO HELP ARMENIANS
In an effort to continue the economic development and stabilization of
Armenia, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) is
working to promote the activities of Habitat for Humanity in Armenia.
Bishop Vicken Aykazian, diocesan legate and ecumenical officer, traveled
to Armenia on June 24, 2005, with Dr. Ken Benson, president of Habitat
for Humanity in Michigan and a leader of the international Habitat for
Humanity movement. This was the third trip to Armenia for the pair.
This journey had a particular purpose: to meet with the chairman of the
National Assembly of Armenia, Arthur Bagdasarian. They discussed the
ongoing projects of Habitat for Humanity in Armenia; the recent meeting
between His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, and former U.S. President Carter in Michigan; and the need
for increased support for Habitat for Humanity from residents of
Armenia.
Bagdasarian, who has worked on a Habitat for Humanity construction
project, agreed to spearhead a fundraising drive to raise $1 million
from residents of Armenia. The money will go to supplies to build 100
homes.
“The time is right. Not only must the diaspora help Armenia, but the
local people also must try to help Armenians who are not in a good
condition financially,” Bishop Aykazian said. “Those who are going to
give are already well off. We’re asking wealthy Armenians who have more
than what they need to help the less fortunate. I’m sure they will
collect a lot of money.”
Bishop Aykazian said if the fundraising effort is successful, the target
of 100 homes could be built within one year. There will also be a
simultaneous drive to increase the number of local volunteers. A large
number of people from outside of Armenia travel there each year to work
on Habitat for Humanity projects. This year 13 groups from America will
be heading over to work. But Bishop Aykazian said more and more locals
are also helping.
“At the beginning it was difficult, but fortunately there are a lot of
people from Armenia who now volunteer as well,” he said. “It means they
see this as something important to do.”
— 7/14/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Bishop Vicken Aykazian, legate and ecumenical
officer of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern),
left, with the chairman of the National Assembly of Armenia, Arthur
Bagdasarian, and Ken Benson, president of Habitat for Humanity in
Michigan.
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