Here is another story about a family that was helped due to the Fuller Center for Housing in Armenia. This is the agency I will volunteer with in 2012

Atabekyans of Etchmiadzin celebrate homecoming after years of trials

Published: Tuesday August 16, 2011

Atabekyan family.

ECHMIADZIN, ARMENIA - Fuller Center Armenia beneficiary family of Atabekyans finally moved to their new home and celebrated the long-awaited home blessing and shared their happiness with those who supported them.

The family has passed through many adversities of life. The downfalls in the family followed one another. In such cases people say "tough luck". They lived in very poor conditions near a dusty road, in a rusty and old metal container (domik).

"We lived in very bad conditions and I thought we would not be even able to raise the second child, but I did not even have money for an abortion and I'm happy I didn't" Loreta says hugging small Milena. Before moving to that metal container the family lived in an apartment dangerous for life: they stayed awake all night long to protect their children from scorpion bites.

But with the shallow income coming from family father's labor work it was impossible to cover all family needs and build a new house at the same time.

Indeed difficulties and mishaps in life never come alone: during a school matinee a sparkler has fallen on their daughter's, Diana's, synthetic dress burning the forty-five percent of the eight-year-old girl's body. Doctors struggled for the child's life, but did not give any hope to the Atabekyans that the child would overcome the crisis and survive. She underwent three surgeries and with the support of kind people from Boston community survived.

The family was presented to "Fuller Center for Housing Armenia" NGO by "Hay Santa" Charitable Foundation which before then supported the family in household and health affairs.

Now, after overcoming many difficulties, they enjoy their new social status of homeowner. The family longed for a home of their own for a very long time.

"I feel this was just like a dream to come true" said Loreta, the mother of the family. Now they are glad to bid good bye to the uncertainty of renting or living in metal shipping container.

Thanks to the Armenian Community of Boston and Fuller Center for Housing Armenia "His Holiness Karekin II" Work Project the Atabekyan family of 4 obtained a house of their own.

The Fuller Center for Housing Armenia is a Non-government Charitable Organization that supports community development in the Republic of Armenia by assisting in building and renovating simple, decent and affordable homes, as well as advocating the right to decent shelter as a matter of conscience and action.

For more information, please visit www.fullercenterarmenia.org