Just recently I discovered that Armenia has a negative population growth rate, which currently stands at approximately -0.07%. This is not that surprising, considering the unemployment rate, widespread poverty and emigration this nation has experienced since Independence.
Then I heard a story on the news that defies this statistic: A family in Yerevan just had their 10th child. Can you imagine having 10 children? Naturally, my relatives (who were watching the news with me) and I were ecstatic for this woman, who claimed that, God willing, she would have even more children. My relatives decided to find this woman to congratulate her with a gift for her heroism. After contacting the television station, followed by a visit to the hospital where the newborn was delivered, we finally found a contact phone number for the family.
Yesterday my aunt and I decided to call them for a short visit. They did not have a phone of their own and the phone number we had actually belonged to the neighbours. The mother was surprised when we called her, and she couldn't quite understand why we wanted to meet her, but she still said we were more than welcome to come by. (By the way, we were the first people to call to congratulate them, she said.)
The entire family of 12 lives in a small home with two small rooms just outside of the center of Yerevan. (We learned that one of the children was sick when she was two and passed away.) The 9 children, their parents, and (of course) the father's mother, all live in this small home. The dad has transformed the upstairs into a workshop for his woodwork, and they all live downstairs.
What a bunch of awesome kids Haigoush (the mother) has. The oldest son is currently serving in the military, so we didn't get a chance to meet him as well as the eldest daughter.
It was a short visit, but I'm hoping to visit again soon.
I don't think anyone can deny that this is definitely a heroic act. The pride this family has is just astonishing. They don't have much in the form of material things, but they seem so happy. They are very committed to their Armenian heritage, and even the grandmother mentioned that all the boys are always ready to defend their country if they need to (even the little ones).
If anyone reading this would like to help this family in any way possible, whether by giving them clothing, money, toys, or anything else that might be of any help to them, please email me and I will definitely assist in any way I can.
Please write to armoaid@yahoo.com
Here is a picture I took of 5 of the children. (from the left) the super-energetic Robert, Datevik, Ardash, newborn Bella, and Laura.
Then I heard a story on the news that defies this statistic: A family in Yerevan just had their 10th child. Can you imagine having 10 children? Naturally, my relatives (who were watching the news with me) and I were ecstatic for this woman, who claimed that, God willing, she would have even more children. My relatives decided to find this woman to congratulate her with a gift for her heroism. After contacting the television station, followed by a visit to the hospital where the newborn was delivered, we finally found a contact phone number for the family.
Yesterday my aunt and I decided to call them for a short visit. They did not have a phone of their own and the phone number we had actually belonged to the neighbours. The mother was surprised when we called her, and she couldn't quite understand why we wanted to meet her, but she still said we were more than welcome to come by. (By the way, we were the first people to call to congratulate them, she said.)
The entire family of 12 lives in a small home with two small rooms just outside of the center of Yerevan. (We learned that one of the children was sick when she was two and passed away.) The 9 children, their parents, and (of course) the father's mother, all live in this small home. The dad has transformed the upstairs into a workshop for his woodwork, and they all live downstairs.
What a bunch of awesome kids Haigoush (the mother) has. The oldest son is currently serving in the military, so we didn't get a chance to meet him as well as the eldest daughter.
It was a short visit, but I'm hoping to visit again soon.
I don't think anyone can deny that this is definitely a heroic act. The pride this family has is just astonishing. They don't have much in the form of material things, but they seem so happy. They are very committed to their Armenian heritage, and even the grandmother mentioned that all the boys are always ready to defend their country if they need to (even the little ones).
If anyone reading this would like to help this family in any way possible, whether by giving them clothing, money, toys, or anything else that might be of any help to them, please email me and I will definitely assist in any way I can.
Please write to armoaid@yahoo.com
Here is a picture I took of 5 of the children. (from the left) the super-energetic Robert, Datevik, Ardash, newborn Bella, and Laura.
posted by Der Hova at 11:15 PM
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