Letter from Antranig Kasbarian of Tufenkian Foundation

Published: Wednesday January 12, 2011

Dear Friends,

As we move into this New Year, we'd like to thank you for enabling our important work in Armenia and Karabagh. Thanks to James Tufenkian and to supporters like you, we've continued to develop our diverse programs while initiating new ones that offer empowerment, creativity, and inspiration -- not only to beneficiaries but to our donors as well.

Yes, to our donors as well. I say this in all seriousness, as we don't simply assist vulnerable families or develop strategic areas; we also pride ourselves on raising awareness - in homeland and diaspora -- on pressing issues requiring concerted action. Here are some examples of recent efforts:

Domestic Violence in Armenia: This year, we initiated a Women's Support Center which assists victims of domestic violence in Yerevan's Shengavit district. Accomplished in partnership with the Armenian International Women's Association (AIWA) and USAID, the center offers support services to victimized women, self-help groups, and legal and psychological counseling that build self-esteem. We also work with locally based groups pressing for legislation/public protection against sexual abuse and other unlawful behavior in Armenian society.

As part of this effort, we co-organized two events last fall to raise awareness.

The first was a public forum on "Women's Empowerment in Armenia," held on Oct. 12 at the Tufenkian Showroom in West Hollywood, CA. The event featured a spirited discussion focusing on gender-based violence and what to do about it, and was buoyed by guest speakers Amb. Marie Yovanovitch and filmmaker/activist Carla Garapedian.

The second event took place on November 25 in Yerevan, where we unveiled a two-day exhibit of artworks by children from families suffering from domestic violence. Entitled "Violence Through the Eyes of Children," the event drew wide participation from NGOs, as well as the Ambassadors of the US, UK, and Germany. Later that day, Foundation staff joined many citizens and the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women, in a march in memory of victims of domestic violence.

Poverty in Armenia: In March, we co-sponsored Sara Anjargolian's multimedia exhibit, "How We Live," which depicts extreme poverty in Armenia, and which opened to large, receptive crowds in LA. This project -- including a book publication and ensuing lecture tours -- has raised widespread awareness and sparked waves of discussion among diasporan Armenians as well as non-Armenians, illuminating the daily challenges of poverty and exploring how these challenges can be met. Since that time, Anjargolian's cover photo, "Narine's Song," won First Prize in the UN Population Fund's regional photo contest on "Violence Against Women."

Resettlement in Kashatagh: In 2008, the Foundation organized an international conference to raise awareness of the vital, strategic role that Kashatagh (formerly Lachin) plays for Armenia and Karabagh. The event served as an appeal and call to action for organizations to help rebuild this area, especially through resettlement efforts.

Now, more than two years later, we've begun to see encouraging results, as various groups and individuals devote more attention to the region. A hydropower station has opened in the area (with a second being built) via private investors; two new hospitals are on the drawing board, while several proposed schools and kindergartens have found sponsors. With support from the NKR government, roads and drinking water supplies are being improved, alongside renovation of houses and schools and improved telecommunications. Small business opportunities have sprung up -- including wheat, pomegranate, and grape cultivation -- providing needed jobs to resettlers. Perhaps most encouraging is this: In 2010, over 150 families moved to Kashatagh, both from Armenia and from Syria, with four new villages established.

Alongside these efforts, we continue our cultural restoration work which confirms and promotes the presence of Armenians on these lands since the 5th century. Currently we are busy with ongoing repair work on the historic St. Minas Church in Hak village, as well as the 17th century church of Mirig village.

These are just a part of the work we do. You'll find a full listing of programs on our website, www.tufenkianfoundation.org.

Please take a look and offer us your feedback.

Would you like to be a part of this important work? By contributing to the above projects -- or to any of our foundation projects -- you're joining a team of people dedicated to strengthening civil society, rural development, and resettlement. Your generosity is a sign of support for the local Armenians most engaged in this struggle.

Sincerely,
Antranig Kasbarian