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"You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming." - Pablo Neruda |
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Welcome to edition #9 of our organization's quarterly newsletter! If you want to catch up between editions, be sure to connect on SYUN's Facebook and Instagram pages and check in at syunfund.org to see our projects, become a SYUN member or make a one time donation.
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Success Story: The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night's sleep |
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After the forceful displacement of Armenians of Artsakh from their homeland our people took refuge in Armenia. First thing for us to do was to call Diana from Ghoghanj Children's Center with whom we worked on many projects before. All these projects were mostly directed to help people from Karmir Shuka and Taghavard villages of Artsakh. Together with Diana we had built a playground for the children of these villages, then we sent seeds and machinery for the villagers to develop agriculture there. Vegetables that had been grown covered 60% of food that our struggling people put on their tables during the difficult days of the 9-month blockade imposed by Azerbaijan on Artsakh. During that time we were also able to send some medicine and baby food to the people of Karmir Shuka and Taghavard.
Now when desperate villagers had to leave their homes with only a few belongings, in Armenia they found themselves homeless and without a future. After Diana had contacted the heads of Karmir Shuka and Taghavard, they told her that what all the families urgently needed was warm blankets.
We spent 3 months and more than $80,000 to organize purchase and even production and distribution of mattresses, pillows and blankets to the people of 2 Artsakh villages as quickly as possible. Even though the resources are limited in Armenia it became possible to organize the help and "100% made in Armenia'' bedding sets reached all the corners of Armenia ensuring a good night's sleep for our brothers and sisters in need.
In 2023, 2023 people from Karmir Shuka and Taghavard got their cozy bedding sets all made in Armenia:
- Yerevan - 605
- Kotayk - 394
- Ararat - 356
- Lori - 175
- Aragatsotn - 133
- Armavir - 95
- Tavush - 94
- Shirak- 55
- Gegharkunik - 46
- Vayots Dzor - 47
- Syunik - 23
Of course, realization of this project became possible thanks to the hard work and devotion of many volunteers and SYUN supporters. We are grateful to all who contributed to this life-saving project!
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What We're Working On Now |
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Emergency Response Training Center
Construction is underway at the new building of VAL Emergency Response Training Center in Goris. Work started in November of last year. Within the last three months the following was accomplished:
- Internal partitioning and wall reinforcement
- Electric wiring
According to the plan, classrooms will be on the first floor.
The second floor of the building is divided into 5 rooms which are still to be built and furnished:
- A meeting room
- Manager's office with a bathroom
- A bedroom for up to 8 people on duty
- A kitchen.
The training program stays active and courses continue not only in the communities of Syunik, but also in Yerevan and other provinces of Armenia. |
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First Aid Training
Because of the construction works in the Emergency Response Training Center organizing first aid training courses locally became a challenge. VAL team organized courses in other regions of Armenia.
One of the highlights of the first quarter of the year was the training for our instructors in Yerevan. It was conducted by a senior instructor from France, VAL's good partner and old friend, Sylvie Moret.
Since February, first aid training has been conducted for several groups of students from Artsakh Munq Technical School in Lori region. This started a new cooperation between VAL and MUNQ in terms of implementing joint educational programs.
In addition to the training mentioned above some classes were held in Vayq.
163 people attended first aid courses and gained life saving skills in the last three months. |
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Control Center
To Mars with "AMADEE-24" 
โAMADEE-24โ stands as a prestigious program in the field of analog space technology research, organized and implemented this year by the "Armenian Aerospace Agency" and the "Armenian Space Forum," with management overseen by the "Austrian Space Forum", held in Armash, Armenia with a three-year preparation. The expedition was carried out in a Martian terrestrial analog and a small field crew of highly trained analog astronauts with spacesuit simulators conducted experiments preparing for future human and robotic Mars exploration missions.
In April during this one month-long Mars Analog Mission, the Control Center system developed by RealSchool students led by specialists from Instigate Robotics was used to provide the external security of the area.
The Control Center management system was installed in the tents and RealSchool students carried out 24-hour duty. Using that system, students were mapping out a daily plan that was then implemented.
Both the organizations, RealSchool and Instigate Robotics are our good partners and SYUN have been sponsoring Control Center development for almost two years.
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Guardians of Artsakh culture
In March with Diana Grigoryan, our good partner and friend, we visited Ghoghanj Children's Center in Yerevan. This is where our joint "Guardians of Artsakh Culture" project was born and lives.
More than 50 children from Artsakh are attending history, psychology, art, dance and other classes. It was so exciting to see the children perform, sing and dance. They learned all this in a very short time. These children have gone through very difficult times and are only now able to share their impressions and memories with us.
We are grateful to all those who make this program possible, for the hard work and dedication of the organizers and teachers.
It is great to see that Ghoganj has become a new warm home for our children and teachers from Artsakh. |
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Supporting Families of Veterans from Artsakh
As we reported previously, 5 families of Artsakh veterans were selected by our partners at VAL to receive monthly financial aid for at least 6 month starting December. While in Yerevan we visited 3 families and here are their stories.
LENA
Until 2020 Lena's family of 8 people lived in Nor Seisulan of Martakert region. After the war, they lost the village and moved to Aparadzor of the same region. Her husband, having health problems could not serve in the regular army, but instead he carried out a patrol service in the village. During the deportation, with a weapon in his hand, Seiran protected the village until his family and other villagers managed to leave itโค That day he lost his brother and cousin who gave their life to protect their homeland and people....
Lena tells us how she ran to the neighbors trying to help them and eventually their car carrying 16 people moved to Stepanakert where they had to live without a roof for a couple of days... but they had a little lavash which they shared with others who had shared the fate of a refugee with them.
Lena and her family try to build a new life... She works, kids study, they take care of multiple health issues for several members of their families... They all smile. But Lena cannot stop talking about Artsakh, about their home, about birds singing differently there. And we notice tears rolling down the cheek...
MARINE
Marine lost her husband in October 2020, and now she raises her two sons alone. In September 2023, when the situation became critical they had to leave their house in Martakert and move to Stepanakert passing through Azerbaijani posts.15 year old Sergey, Marine's elder son had to bury his father's uniform and drive their car taking his mother and brother to Stepanakert. Marine could not leave her husbandีs war medals, she sat on them hoping that Azeri soldiers won't notice them and not only take and destroy them, but also harm family members of an Armenian hero.
In Yerevan, Sergey continues taking care of his brother and mother who have some health issues. He is working, studying and practicing sports.
NONA
In September 2023 Nona's husband moved fellow villagers and his family from the village to Stepanakert and returned to the positions to fight. When the family reached Armenia they received the news of their father's death. A few days later, they also received the news of the death of the eldest daughter's fiance.
But these people are unbreakable. They meet us with the traditional Artsakh jingalov hats (stuffed flatbread) in their new "house" that doesn't have a kitchen. They tell us about the months of blockade. For the beginning of the school year Inga, Nona's younger daughter, made many school bags from old coats. When leaving Artsakh she put her few clothes in the first bag that she had made and brought it to Armenia.
For this project we collaborate charitable foundation VAL. fund.
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Davidbek Games
We are happy to announce that the third Davidbek Games will take place in Kapan from July 22 to July 28. Initially the goal was to increase the number of participating teams from 10 to 12. But we got great news: 14 teams will participate in the Davidbek Games 2024.
The festival brings together the youth of Armenia in majestic Sunik once a year for an exciting week full of games, hiking, music, dances, literature and healthy competitions.
The goals of the Davidbek Games are:
- Increase the patriotic spirit of the young generation.
- Promote the physical training of young people, and the development of tactical skills.
- Encourage appreciation of cultural, spiritual and historical values.
- Create a platform for the cooperation of Armenian patriotic organizations, educational institutions, sports teams.
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SYUN for HAYQ
๐ป๐ป๐ป๐ป๐ป๐ป๐ป๐ป๐ป๐ป
MOUNTAINS ARE NOT FOR THE WEAK!
Program 'Hayq' is developed by a team of young Armenians who have specialized training themselves and are devoted to educating a new generation of young people prepared to survive in extreme conditions. Purpose of this three-month long program is to contribute to the establishment of the "Comprehensive protection and security system" (Vogezen) by developing the hiking culture, introducing the participants to the native terrain and nature, and imparting the skills and knowledge of navigating the terrain and safe movement.
Weโre this project and raising money for sponsoring RealSchool students participation in the "Hayq" educational program. For a couple of weeks, any donation to the Facebook fundraiser will be tripled thanks to one of our supporters. By reaching our fundraising goal of $5,000 ($15,000 with matching), 60 people will get this high quality training.
This program includes a number of sub-courses including the following:
- Modern expeditionary operations management and situational awareness systems
- Cartography, topography, orientation in the area
- UAV course
- First aid in emergency situations โข Sign language
- Technical equipment (types and application)
- Communication
- Basics of digital security
- Physical training
The course will be held in Yerevan, 3 times a week, it includes 3 hikes. This will be an effective way to apply acquired knowledge in practice. |
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Armenology
"History is the teacher of life" - Marcus Tulius Cicero.
History equips us with valuable lessons, allowing us to learn from the successes and failures of those who came before us.
Soon our partner Ghoghanj Children's Center will launch a new program, the goal of which is to promote the study of our homeland for children aged 11-17 in a way that makes education exciting. The course "National Identity" will include historical hikes, trips to museums and historical monuments, interesting lectures, practical work and educational games.
With SYUN's support, participation in this program will be free of charge.
The program will be implemented in collaboration with the "Learn from History" project. |
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Roots
The charitable foundation VAL has initiated the publication of a book titled โRootsโ by author Gagik Poghosyan, with a print run of 200 copies.
This book explores linguistic parallels between Armenian and Proto-Indo-European languages, particularly examining etymologies of terms related to several key revolutionary historical inventions, such as fire, wheel, domestication of animals and metals.
The value system of the Armenian civilization during the Paleolithic, Copper, and Bronze Ages are also examined in the book.
"Roots" is intended for a wide range of readers, including school-age children, to instill patriotic and value-based education.Today, when in Azerbaijan the falsification of historical facts is carried out along with an anti-Armenian policy, publishing such a book like "Roots" is very important for educating not only the young generation, but also a wider range of readers. |
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Ani and Zill are security engineers who moved to Northern California a few years ago from New York. After work, they are nailing the art of being new parents to Zaven. Some would say they are just in it for the rights to play with the cool toys first.
Ani was one of those who right after the war was helping families of killed and wounded soldiers who fought for Karmir Shuka and Taghavard. Now thanks to her, Zill is also heavily engaged in the matter of making Armenia strong.
In Ani's words they are honored to be part of the SYUN community and to have the opportunity to contribute to Armenia. Ani and Zill believe that every effort counts. |
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In this issue we are introducing a new section dedicated to our partners. And today we'll tell you about Bazoomq. After the successful launch of Hayasat-1 and completion of the first joined project of SYUN and BAZOOMQ, we are exploring new opportunities for expanding our collaboration and partnership.
In March, we met with our partners at BAZOOMQ Space Research Lab in Zovuni, Armenia and after the team presented their current and upcoming projects. We discussed potential projects for which we may join our forces again.
Cofounders of Bazoomq, Hayk and Avetik made a tour of the beautiful facilities, showed where the Hayasat-1 was born and the duplicate version of it, which may be used for troubleshooting if any problem arises with the twin in space. A new clean room is being built for building new satellites in the lab.
Finally we took a picture in front of a restored Soviet-era painting which was given to Bazoomq as a gift by one of their supporters.
We at SYUN are looking forward to collaboration with the Bazoomq team for a new project.
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History Corner: Tigran The Great |
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For realizing the "HAYQ" project SYUN launched a Facebook fundraiser. Weโre raising money for sponsoring RealSchool students participation in this educational program. This program is developed by a team of young Armenians who have specialized training themselves and are devoted to educating a new generation of young people prepared to survive in extreme conditions. Purpose of this three-month long program is to contribute to the establishment of the "Comprehensive protection and security system" (Vogezen) by developing the hiking culture, introducing the participants to the native terrain and nature, and imparting the skills and knowledge of navigating the terrain and safe movement.
ONLY 2 DAYS LEFT!
Act now and invest in the future of Armenia. |
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