An Update On Mer Hooys

On February 3, 2016, the directors, staff and fellow residents of Mer Hooys proudly watched one of its girls win first prize in an art competition hosted by the First Lady of Armenia, Rita Sargsyan and the Terlemezian College of Arts in Yerevan. 17-year-old Armine Arshakyan was one of the original girls to come to the Mer Hooys program, shy and introverted, having lost both parents at a young age. She has been studying high school curriculum focused on the arts at the Terlemezian College for 3 years.  

The First Lady was instrumental in getting Armine admitted to the College, which teaches high school aged teenagers. Artists from all over Yerevan come to the College for advanced classes, and to teach the students.  Armine will graduate in May 2016, and continue to pursue training in her chosen career of Art.  She has become a confident young woman, who has learned to speak English, mentors her younger “sisters” at Mer Hooys, now has a very positive outlook for her future. Mer Hooys has helped Armine understand that she has a future in an honorable profession.

Mer Hooys celebrated the birthday of one of its younger members, Gohar J., in March 2016.  All of the girls, including some of the program alumnae, enjoyed a birthday party sponsored by the Society for Orphan Armenian Relief (SOAR). SOAR provides birthday parties for each girl, including presents, a cake and refreshments. The younger girls came to Mer Hooys in June 2015, and in less than one year’s time they have become secure, confident and have created bonds with their Mer Hooys sisters that will last them a lifetime.  In June 2016, Mer Hooys will celebrate the graduation of 6 of its original residents, and welcome 6-8 new young girls ages 8-12.  Four of the original residents will return to their parent while attending university or culinary school.  All of Mer Hooys residents, including graduates, will be baptized in May 2016.  Mer Hooys is providing educational support, psychological counseling, and social work services for those girls, and regularly includes living family members in counseling sessions and workshops.  The young girls, six of whom are pairs of sisters, spend time with their mothers on weekends and during group activities.

On March 15, 2016, Armenia Fund USA Board member Irina Lazarian and local representative Ruzanna Agayan visited Mer Hooys, spending time with the younger residents of Mer Hooys, Executive Director Mihran Mirijanyan, and two of the program pedagogue/mentors.  In 2012, Ms. Lazarian arranged for the Armenia Fund USA East Coast chapter to donate 10 laptop computers to Mer Hooys.  The girls presented their guests with a leather bracelet with the monogram “Hooys” - a bracelet each girl wears as a gift from the Mer Hooys Board.