HILLSDALE-BASED NON-PROFIT DOES WORK IN ARMENIA
North Jersey.com
Aug 8 2013
Thursday, August 8, 2013
BY LIANNA ALBRIZIO
Members of a charitable Christian nonprofit offering relief to needy
countries journeyed to a destitute village home to about a thousand
civilians in Armenia last month to repair its only medical center.
The days-long trek to the Village of Vahagni in the Lori region of
Armenia was something Dikran Youmshakian, executive director of Dorcas
Aid America (DorAid) and pastor at Hillsdale’s Armenian Bible Church,
described as a place where life is a “total struggle.” He says the
trip, however, was a biblical calling.
“As a minister, the Bible tells us we have to share God’s blessing
with other people, that’s what we do,” said Youmshakian.
DorAid is a nonprofit charitable organization operating out of
Hillsdale. It is an affiliate of Dorcas Aid International of Holland.
Founded by Youmshakian and few other community members in 2008, it
provides relief and development services in Africa, Eastern Europe,
former Soviet Republics, Middle East and the United States.
On July 1, nine volunteers from the church, Pennsylvania, Arizona and
upstate New York united in the village to make repairs to the medical
center, which is the only one in that village. The facility has been
in need of urgent repairs since 1994. Youmshakian said he first learned
of Vahagni from a friend who lives near the village. During his 10-day
stay, Youmshakian said he mingled with villagers, who he said were
“very hospitable” and with whom he discussed God, faith and hope. He
said they told him about how much the team’s presence had helped them.
“We did a great job,” said Youmshakian of the work, adding the newly
refurbished facility is now operational and in better condition.
The work, which Youmshakian said cost about $25,000, included roof
repair, mold removal and painting the walls. The men also built a
metal fence encircling the property, placed linoleum flooring and
put up new light fixtures. They men also renovated the bathroom and
installed electric heaters and a water boiler. They even bought the
center a new refrigerator.
The building was first erected in 1989 by the Italian Government in
place of a hospital that was ravaged by a devastating earthquake
in 1988. The seven-room facility, which offers free services, has
one doctor, an assistant doctor, two nurses and one accountant and
provides minor surgeries and immunization shots, Youmshakian said.
When the center was built, Youmshakian said it had a shelf-life of
five years, but it continued operation for 25 years. A lack of funding
prevented it from being properly maintained.
Of all his ventures as part of the DorAid organization, Youmshakian
said Vahagni was the poorest place he had been to. While the village
had an average population of 1,200 people, according to information
provided to Youmshakian from Mayor Bedros Kochinain, the number
plummeted to about 800 after many left to find employment. Despite
its indigent status, Youmshakian said Village Mayor Bedros Kochinian
told him villagers remain there to embrace their heritage.
“The Bible tells us we have to take care of the physical and spiritual
needs of people,” said Youmshakian.
Youmshakian has been active in charities for 27 years, sponsoring
children and the elderly. He said he plans to return to the Village
of Vahagni to construct a social hall for worship purposes and a
gymnasium for young people.
For more on Dorcas Aid America, visit dorcas.us.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/218788191_Hillsdale-based_non-profit_does_work_in_Armenia.html