Forever Homes for Abandoned Armenians

The days pass quickly and before too many more pass by, I wanted to share about what has been happening at Warm Hearth. Bridget (our Associate Director) and I will soon return to Armenia for most of May. We are returning to see the residents and staff after missing them so. We also are returning to look hard (yet again) for ways to help the two of our residents who remain in psychiatric clinics…

These two residents, as many of you know, have been in the clinic since last April and despite our efforts, we have yet to find a better alternative for them. We are doing everything we can to make sure that they are not transferred to Vardenis Tun-Internad or the other large institutions.

There is a small chance that we will be able to try to bring one of them home in the next month. That is my hope. This particular resident was able to live in Warm Hearth for ten months in relative peace and safety until one of our staff members (with whom he was very close) left. So, we are doing our best to establish a regime and a “care-plan” that will give him what he needs to stay home and safely. Thank you to those of you who have helped with this. I have received so much support and expertise in regard to this resident. I couldn’t do it alone.

In the meantime, the other six residents have had their own joys and sorrows. They have enjoyed the vocational and life-skills lessons and are showing more and more of an interest in caring for themselves, their friends and their home. Our staff has commented many times recently about the most beautiful changes they see in the lives of the residents. I receive small glimpses of this when I call and hear the strength in their voices, the laughter in the background, the stories of their trips and classes and celebrations.

After a lifetime of neglect combined with their disabilities, many of our residents have struggled, recently, to maintain their physical health. The numerous trips to hospitals this last year has surprised me, but thankfully each of them has been treated and is either cured or continually being treated with the best help we are able to find within Armenia. It is a challenge, but so many people have come around us. And have helped us to give our residents the best that we have. I am grateful for that. As are the residents.

Many of you may have heard about the political unrest in Armenia following the most recent election, which some of the public deemed fraudulent. If you are interested in following this story, there is an online independent journal called ArmeniaNow.com, which is both reputable and thorough. Thankfully, at least on the outside, the country seems calmer and our residents are safe and happy in the “third village” which lies at least 20 minutes from the center of the capital. Thank you for your care and concern about them.

We remain blessed beyond measure by the love that each of you shares with us. Mother Teresa once said that “love has no other message but its own” and I sense that in the gifts and thoughts and help that you give to us, each in your own way. I sense that in the way that your gifts come from far and wide, and in so many different forms from so many different kinds of people. I hope that we, at Warm Hearth, will also continue to walk in the way of love, giving no other message than love itself to each of you, to our residents, our staff and the world close around us.

**I've attached a photograph of this past New Year's celebration. These are our residents singing and performing songs and poems for their visitors.