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The Armenian Reporter | November 1, 2008 National COAF raises $1.25 million for rural Armenia n Continued from page representative to the United Nations; Carnegie Corporation of New York president Vartan Gregorian; Khalil Barrage, George Pagoumian, Daniel Sahakian, Henry Sahakian, and Emmy and Tony Award–winning actress Andrea Martin. Clerical dignitaries included Catholic Exarchate Bishop Manuel Batakian, Prelacy Vicar General Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, and Dean of Saint Vartan Cathedral Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian. The presence of several representatives of Armenian-American organizations was acknowledged by COAF President Antranig Sarkissian. The villages have changed As the guests took their seats at flower-bedecked tables, a costumed Ms. Martin, the evening’s Mistress of Ceremonies, took center stage, belting out a rollicking rendition of the popular “Come-on-a-my- House.” A warm welcome from Armenia was voiced by COAF Head of Programs in Armenia Ovsanna Yeghoyan. “Much has changed in our villages,” Ms. Yeghoyan said. “The biggest achievements are the people and the children who open their eyes, and look into their future. The bright light of hope is reflected in their eyes. Before COAF came, school was a scary place for the children. Now they are happy, they compete in competitions, and win awards. Thank you from every child in our villages.” The 2008 Save a Generation Benefactor Award was presented to longtime philanthropists Larry Feinberg, his wife Cindy and their 12-year-old daughter Samantha, who have supported COAF since its inception and had visited the COAFsupported villages last summer. On her 11th birthday, Samantha asked her friends and family to donate to COAF in lieu of the presents she would have received. “Before I went to Armenia, I saw it in black and white,” Samantha said. “But when we visited the sites where COAF works, I saw lots of colors.” A threeminute trailer for COAF’s upcoming documentary, titled A Bloom in the Desert, highlighted many impressive accomplishments of the organization. Giving voice to the voiceless n Continued from page women who are crossing that border every year. At the end of the day what we need to ensure that every single Mexican that crosses the border to the U.S. does so legally, whether it’s with a visa or it’s a part of a temporary worker program. But we have to ensure that as both countries work to ensure the security of our border, we leave the doors open so the free flow of listed goods and people can continue. AR: In terms of the Armenian community in California, are you surprised there has not been more sensitivity to fellow economic migrants from Latin America? From left, Vahan Janjigian, Garo Armen, and Vartan Gregorian with the Kervandjian family (Ara, Shant, Alex, Taline, and Heddy Kervandjian) and Lara Sahakian. Amb. Evans, in his introduction of keynote speaker Nicholas Kristof, noted that the journalist was of Armenian background. Mr. Kristof’s family name was Hachikian. When the family emigrated from Armenia to Poland centuries ago, they took on the name Krzysztofowicz (the Polish translation of Hachikian). Coming to America, the journalist’s father shortened the name to Kristof. The two-time Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist has always championed the causes of suffering peoples, especially the victims of the ongoing genocide in Darfur. An early opponent of the Iraq war, Mr. Kristof has also focused attention on global poverty, health, gender issues and climate change. “He is no detached observer. He has given voice to the voiceless,” Amb. Evans said. Mr. Kristof, who was awarded COAF’s 2008 Save a Generation Humanitarian Award, paid tribute to the accomplishments of COAF. He said that this worthy organization is part of an effort to “crack the code in underdeveloped countries with its health, education and grassroots programs.” Referring to President Bush’s decision to end the distinguished Foreign Service career of Mr. Evans after the ambassador acknowledged the Armenian Genocide, Mr. Kristof declared to a lengthy ovation, “If we cannot use the word ‘Armenian Genocide’, then we cannot talk about any genocide.” Mr. Kristof, who said he has seen “the absolute worst of humanity,” asked why anyone should care about a distant place. He answered by saying that it would make a difference in people’s lives; it would connect to a cause larger than oneself; and a person would gain a new perspective on himself or herself. Relating the story of a young American woman who went to Darfur to help, he said, “She never broke down on seeing the horrors while there. But when she came home and saw her grandmother put seeds in a bird feeder during winter, she wept uncontrollably. To see a simple action of mercy caused her to break down. How fortunate we are to live in this free country.” A voice to the villagers Dr. Armen, in inspiring remarks, put COAF’s efforts in a historical perspective. During the Soviet period, he said, Armenia “was subsidized for its intellectual ability, since of all republics Armenia had the highest literacy rate. But when Continued on page m Mexico’s U.S. envoy discusses his Armenian heritage AS: This is going to sound biased, but I am a believer that communities like the Armenian and the Mexican communities are natural allies. They share agendas and challenges in this country. Many of them have come here driven by the same problems of lack of economical opportunities. Both are hard working societies. [In the past] the Armenian community faced the prejudice and racism and discrimination in this country that Mexican communities are facing today. Mexican-Americans are already partnering with the Jewish-American community based on these common challenges and the need for these two communities to work together to ensure that this country continues to remain tolerant and open to diversity. It would make more sense if Armenian and Mexican communities work together, especially in the West Coast and New England, where we have the highest concentration of Armenian-Americans, to bring down the bombastic nature of the debate, to look at the opportunities and the challenges in an objective and forward-looking way. AR: Thank you. AS: Thank you for this opportunity and thank you for remembering. The Armenian Reporter thanks its former Washington intern Nareg Seferian and the Mexican Embassy’s press officer Ricardo Alday for arranging the interview. f The ambassador’s father The ambassador’s father, José Aristeo Sarukhán Kermez, was born in Mexico in 1940. An awardwinning biologist he was president of Mexico’s National University from 1989 to 1997, and continues to do research on ecology there. In November 2007, writing in the leading Mexican daily El Universal, Dr. Sarukhán Kermez discussed the Armenian community’s efforts to win Armenian Genocide affirmation in the U.S. Congress and his own family experience. See his commentary in Spanish at http://www.el-universal.com.mx/ editoriales/38926.html f Garo Armen speaking. Photos: COAF. José Aristeo Sarukhán Kermez. Photo: Wikipedia.
The Armenian Reporter | November 1, 2008 National COAF raises $1.25 million for rural Armenia n Continued from page the subsidies stopped, there was no progress and great despair.” In 2003, Dr. Armen went to the Baghramian region, which he described as “the hopeless of the hopeless.” In the village of Karakert, there was a scarcity of water, piles of garbage, no employment, a decrepit town hall, and schools with no heat, hot water, or bathrooms. “I decided to return every three months. This was the first chance for COAF, and our plan was ready in three months. We mobilized the community. The people living there were surprised that they had a voice to decide their future.” Sharing the stage with Dr. Armen, Ms. Yeghoyan described how their first priority, the refurbishment of the schools, was completed in July 2005. A health clinic was resurrected to supply screenings, pregnancy care, and other resources. A community center with cultural events was established. With the collaboration of the World Bank, an irrigation system was rebuilt. Through Paul Newman’s foundation, a generous donor for three years, a photo and video club was established. And benefactor George Pagoumian announced that he would reconstruct a medical center for Baghramian’s Miasnikian village, which will serve 15 villages in the region. It will be named “L’Enfant Jesus” (Christ the Child) or “Jesus of Nazareth” in memory of his grandfather Kevork. 20,000 lives changed forever The success of this first endeavor led to a “cluster” project, in which nearby villages were added. For the past two and a half years, there have been six villages in the program. Three more were recently added, bringing the total to nine villages in the COAF cluster program. Dr. Ricardo Pinto of Strategem Consulting, who has been familiar with COAF’s work since 2005, when the United Nations Development Program hired him to evaluate the program, has called the work of COAF “miraculous” in his independent evaluation report. The lives of 20,000 human beings have been changed forever, declared Dr. Armen, and he pointed out that this can be accomplished with a modest amount of money. “By addressing inequality, and deemphasizing trivial aspects of life, we can make the world better for generations to come,” he said. During the event, Taline Aynilian conducted a live auction of four selected items, including a painting by Armenia-born artist Gagik Ghazanchyan, Super Bowl champion and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning’s jersey and helmet, and trips to Yerevan and New York City. Tony Award– winning actor Bill Irwin from Baggy Pants Comedy did a hilarious routine on the “Seven Ages of Man.” Three acrobats, including the remarkable Elena Lev from the acclaimed troupe Cirque du Soleil, and Mary Bond Davis from the award-winning musical Hairspray performed to thunderous ovations. Following the event, Mr. Kristof, voiced the feelings of many attendees, saying, “it was a terrific achievement for so many people to attend when the economy is in a meltdown. I was also struck by the fact that there were a number of people present who did not have an Armenian connection. I was so happy to be at an event with such a dedicated and accomplished agenda and goal.” f From left, Cindy, Larry, and Samantha Feinberg accept the 2008 Save a Generation Benefactor Award. Emcee Andrea Martin introduces performer Bill Irwin. Ovsanna Yeghoyan thanks friends of COAF for their continued support. From left, Huguette and George Pagoumian with their daughter Caroline Pagoumian Bowen. Photos: COAF. From left, Daniel and Ludmila Sahakian with Vartan Gregorian. From left, Henry Sahakian, Sandy Edwards, Donna Evans, Jennifer Chamberlain, Amb. John Evans, Seda Sahakian. connect: coafkids.org From left,Taline, Vahram, and Lucienne Aynilian. Garo Armen looks on as Samantha Feinberg reflects on her August visit to Armenia.
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