The Habitat Families
The Habitat Families
The complex where we worked in Armenia had 24 units in it. All 24 units were to be occupied by families who were chosen through the Habitat process. (See earlier post for more information on this). Each family had a unique story that touched your heart.
Our family, Vardan, his wife, sister and young daughter, were looking to have their first real home. They had been renting a sub-standard apartment unit. Vardan's eyes lit up when he looked around our unit, thinking of the life they would build.
Here are a few other stories about the homeowners who would be moving into their homes that we worked on.
FROM THE HABITAT WEBSITE: Catholicos Karekin II Work Project kicked off on September 5th 2006 in Gavar, Armenia. During the week-long blitz-build event, 24 homes will be built for as many families in need. Here you can read about people who will benefit from this unique building on faith event in Armenia.
The Dvoyan family: Sevak (31), Marine (22), Vahe
Marine Dvoyan with her three-month old son at the site of their future home in Gavar.
Marine Dvoyan with her three-month old son at the site of their future home in Gavar.
The Dvoyan family lived with Sevak’s brother and parents in a two-room flat. He married a year ago and, as he is the eldest son of the family, he soon had to leave the parents’ home to the youngest brother, according to the Armenian tradition. He earns US$230 a month working as an assistant at the health ministry.
“Thanks to Habitat Armenia and all its supports that did not allow my family to experience the feeling of homelessness, which I see in the eyes of my neighbors. This feeling makes people live like hermits. I appreciate you letting me feel the happiness of a homeowner and enabling me to care for the future of my children.
I have a son but now I am sure that my son will have a sister or a brother. And this is only due to your help and support. Thank you.” Sevak said.
The Gasparyan family: Armen (35), Margarit (32), Sima, Roland, Daniel, Rebeka, Esterdiv
The Gasparyans had spent all their savings treating their eldest son for illness.
The Gasparyans sold their house to help Armen’s brother pay off debt. The family was certain that they could get a new house very soon. In reality, with a monthly salary of US$200 working as a welder, Armen was hard-pressed to cover the family’s expenses, let alone buy a house.
The family rented a place to live for more than 10 years. Armen worked days and nights to save for a home. Unfortunately, the eldest son Roland became ill and they had to spend a lot on his treatment and medicines. The family savings went down the drain. Armen and Margarit have difficulties expressing their about living in a place that they know is both unsafe and unhealthy for their children. Fortunately, the family will have a fresh start as they are selected to partner with Habitat Armenia in Gavar.
The Gharabaghcyan family: Karine (42), Lusine, Lianna, Babken, Siranush, Tamara
A single mother of five, Karine Gharabaghcyan says the new home will bring happiness to her family.
Karine is a single mother with five children. Eight years ago, her husband left her and Armenia to live abroad. She had to move to her parents’ home where her brothers live with their families.
She earns US$45 a month as the director of a kindergarten. Today her two elder daughters Lusine and Lianna are also earning US$30 and US$100 a month. One works in the Gavar library, the other in a taxi service.
“It is very difficult to live without a roof above our heads, in the open air, trying to protect my children from the cold, weather and illnesses. We lost everything, not only the happiness of the family. In spring, we began to live a new life when we started working on our new house. I am sure this house will bring more and more joy to our hearts and we will find our happiness there. Thank you for all your support,” said Karine.
The Pokrikyan family: Khachatur (49), Gayane (46), Gohar, Vardan
“To have a house and to be sure that you are not living as a guest is one of the happiest moments in life,” says Gayane Pokrikyan.
The Pokrikyans have been waiting for their house for 14 years. Khachatur and Gayane got married in 1987. Khachatur was the eldest son of the family of five: mother, father, two brothers and a sister. According to the Armenian tradition, the youngest son inherits the house of the parents. Gayane and Khachatur realized that soon they would have to leave the house. But they were sure that they would get a house in the newly built district of their town.
By 1989, their children were already born. The family used to walk with the children and always passed near the construction site of their future apartment, dreaming and telling the kids how beautiful it would be, what a nice playground they would have. In 1993, all the construction work was stopped. Khachatur’s younger brohther got married and so he head to rent a house and muster his strength to wait. “Whenever our children saw a half-built house, they asked if it should be our house; how long we still need to wait for it?” said Gayane.
In 2006, the Pokrikyans were selected to be a Habitat Armenia homeowner. “We were dreaming of an affordable place for our children, but today our son is building a house for us. To have a house and to be sure that you are not living as a guest is one of the happiest moments in life,” said Gayane. Thanks to you all for helping us to make our dream come true!”
The complex where we worked in Armenia had 24 units in it. All 24 units were to be occupied by families who were chosen through the Habitat process. (See earlier post for more information on this). Each family had a unique story that touched your heart.
Our family, Vardan, his wife, sister and young daughter, were looking to have their first real home. They had been renting a sub-standard apartment unit. Vardan's eyes lit up when he looked around our unit, thinking of the life they would build.
Here are a few other stories about the homeowners who would be moving into their homes that we worked on.
Armenian Build on Faith: Meet the Families
FROM THE HABITAT WEBSITE: Catholicos Karekin II Work Project kicked off on September 5th 2006 in Gavar, Armenia. During the week-long blitz-build event, 24 homes will be built for as many families in need. Here you can read about people who will benefit from this unique building on faith event in Armenia.
The Dvoyan family: Sevak (31), Marine (22), Vahe
Marine Dvoyan with her three-month old son at the site of their future home in Gavar.
The Dvoyan family lived with Sevak’s brother and parents in a two-room flat. He married a year ago and, as he is the eldest son of the family, he soon had to leave the parents’ home to the youngest brother, according to the Armenian tradition. He earns US$230 a month working as an assistant at the health ministry.
“Thanks to Habitat Armenia and all its supports that did not allow my family to experience the feeling of homelessness, which I see in the eyes of my neighbors. This feeling makes people live like hermits. I appreciate you letting me feel the happiness of a homeowner and enabling me to care for the future of my children.
I have a son but now I am sure that my son will have a sister or a brother. And this is only due to your help and support. Thank you.” Sevak said.
The Gasparyan family: Armen (35), Margarit (32), Sima, Roland, Daniel, Rebeka, Esterdiv
The Gasparyans sold their house to help Armen’s brother pay off debt. The family was certain that they could get a new house very soon. In reality, with a monthly salary of US$200 working as a welder, Armen was hard-pressed to cover the family’s expenses, let alone buy a house.
The family rented a place to live for more than 10 years. Armen worked days and nights to save for a home. Unfortunately, the eldest son Roland became ill and they had to spend a lot on his treatment and medicines. The family savings went down the drain. Armen and Margarit have difficulties expressing their about living in a place that they know is both unsafe and unhealthy for their children. Fortunately, the family will have a fresh start as they are selected to partner with Habitat Armenia in Gavar.
The Gharabaghcyan family: Karine (42), Lusine, Lianna, Babken, Siranush, Tamara
Karine is a single mother with five children. Eight years ago, her husband left her and Armenia to live abroad. She had to move to her parents’ home where her brothers live with their families.
She earns US$45 a month as the director of a kindergarten. Today her two elder daughters Lusine and Lianna are also earning US$30 and US$100 a month. One works in the Gavar library, the other in a taxi service.
“It is very difficult to live without a roof above our heads, in the open air, trying to protect my children from the cold, weather and illnesses. We lost everything, not only the happiness of the family. In spring, we began to live a new life when we started working on our new house. I am sure this house will bring more and more joy to our hearts and we will find our happiness there. Thank you for all your support,” said Karine.
The Pokrikyan family: Khachatur (49), Gayane (46), Gohar, Vardan
The Pokrikyans have been waiting for their house for 14 years. Khachatur and Gayane got married in 1987. Khachatur was the eldest son of the family of five: mother, father, two brothers and a sister. According to the Armenian tradition, the youngest son inherits the house of the parents. Gayane and Khachatur realized that soon they would have to leave the house. But they were sure that they would get a house in the newly built district of their town.
By 1989, their children were already born. The family used to walk with the children and always passed near the construction site of their future apartment, dreaming and telling the kids how beautiful it would be, what a nice playground they would have. In 1993, all the construction work was stopped. Khachatur’s younger brohther got married and so he head to rent a house and muster his strength to wait. “Whenever our children saw a half-built house, they asked if it should be our house; how long we still need to wait for it?” said Gayane.
In 2006, the Pokrikyans were selected to be a Habitat Armenia homeowner. “We were dreaming of an affordable place for our children, but today our son is building a house for us. To have a house and to be sure that you are not living as a guest is one of the happiest moments in life,” said Gayane. Thanks to you all for helping us to make our dream come true!”
posted by Becca Doten at
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