Walls That Talk
The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center starts new conversations on identity and heritage
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January 01, 2011
Friends of AGBU in Wisconsin Raise $6,000 for Fridtjof Nansen Orphanage in Gyumri
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Some of the children of the Fridtjof Nansen Orphanage in Gyumri, Armenia. -
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The fundraiser held by Dr. Chuck and Mary Kay Hajinian raised $6,000 to support the orphanage, and provided mattresses, pillows, sheets, and warm clothing for all 69 children at the Nansen Orphanage. -
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AGBU Armenian Representation personnel preparing gift bags of sports shoes and tracksuits to deliver to the orphanage as early Christmas gifts for the children. -
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Children of the orphanage performing for visiting AGBU Armenian Representation personnel.
On August 8, 2010, friends of AGBU Dr. Chuck and Mary Kay Hajinian graciously opened their home on Lake Nagawicka, Wisconsin, to hold a fundraiser for the Fridtjof Nansen Orphanage in Gyumri, Armenia. Fridtjof Nansen, a famous Norwegian polar explorer, scientist, diplomat, humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, played an important role in providing humanitarian relief for Armenia in the 1920’s, as the League of Nations’ High Commissioner for Refugees. The Fridtjof Nansen Orphanage, which was established in 2000, came under the administration of the Republic of Armenia’s Ministry of Social Welfare in 2002, and today provides art, sports, dance, vocal and foreign language instruction to 69 children, ages 3 to 21-years-old. Since opening ten years ago, the orphanage has cared for more than 170 youth. Over the years, AGBU has lent its support to the facility through both local and diasporan support.
Over 60 people attended the fundraiser, enjoying a relaxing setting while viewing the Hajinian’s extensive collection of Armenian artwork, rare manuscripts and artifacts, including Armenian jewelry dating back to 3000 BC. An outstanding specimen was a 30-foot-long manuscript of the Gospel of Matthew from 1722. Guests included a 96-year-old Genocide survivor and American photographer emeritus, B. Artin Haig. His account of his escape and arrival in America captivated the audience. Another special guest was Bob Bergum, a former professional football player for the Detroit Lions. Bergum and his wife now teach in Yerevan at a school for children of diplomats. He gave an emotional talk of how his students took gifts to children in the orphanages of Yerevan. "They clutch a used teddy bear as if it was gold -- they have so little," he said.
Dr. Hajinian also emphasized the situation at the orphanage, adding, "What do we really know of these orphan children? We know very little. We don’t know their names. We have some images of their smiles. But this much we do know -- we have an abundance that we can share with them."
By the end of the fundraiser, over $6,000 was raised to support the orphanage, which will provide mattresses, pillows, sheets, and warm clothing for the upcoming winter. On November 12, the AGBU Armenian Representation personnel visited Gyumri and handed over the purchased goods to the orphanage. More recently, on December 21, they went back to the orphanage to deliver sports shoes and tracksuits to each child as Christmas presents. "Every Armenian that I know likes to go to a party or to have one. Why not throw a party and collect donations for an orphanage or another worthy cause? It is an easy thing to do," said Hajinian. "My email is hajinian@yahoo.com. I would be happy to share the simple steps."
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