Near East Relief at Terchoonian Home Orphanage in Gyumri
2013-05-27 00:00 | Naregatsi Art Institute
On May 27th, the historic "Along the Trails of the Armenian Orphans" exhibition implemented by Naregatsi Art Institute in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Armenia and the Near East Foundation, journeyed to Gyumri's Terchoonian Home Orphanage.The name of the orphanage is associated with the late philanthropist Mr. Vahan Terchoonian, who as a genocide survivor had taken refuge in one of the American orphanages in Gyumri.After moving to the United States, Terchoonian expressed a wish in his will to seek out the house that rescued him from starvation and epidemics and donate all of his savings to it. The funds were transferred by the late Archbishop Mesrob Ashchyan, which led to the orphanage being reconstructed and refurbished.The exhibition was attended by U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John A. Heffern, the Mayor of Gyumri, Samvel Balasanyan, Governor of Shirak, Felix Tsolakian, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Near East Foundation, Shant Mardirossian, Naregatsi Art Institute founder,Nareg Hartounian,Leslie Malott, the daughter of Azadouhi Gannaway, an Armenian orphan from Marash adopted by the NER missionaries Dr. Charles and Ruby Gannaway, embassy officials, clergymen, public figures and artists.More than 132,000 children found shelter in the orphan schools of the American Committee, where they were also taught new skills and trades. The largest of these orphanages was the Alexandrapol orphanage, which was proclaimed the "orphan city". Director of Terchoonian Home Orphanage, Sona Simonyan presented in detail the history of the orphanages in Gyumri and the great historical figures they sheltered such as H. Shiraz, Sarmen, Soghomon Tarontsi, Kh. Dashtents, G. Hasratyan, V. Adjemyan and others.This exhibition is a history of victory, not tragedy, said U.S. Ambassador, John Heffern. This history has a great importance for the United States as well because this is the first large-scale humanitarian mission, where both private individuals and the government were involved. This is the first page in Armenian-American relations."Shant Mardirossian, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Near East Foundation gave a speech, as well. Zareh Tjeknavorians documentary film Lest They Perish featuring the history of the Near East Relief, was shown. Historian R. Papoyan presented the invaluable role of Scout Movement founder Vahan Cheraz in the physical and moral education of the orphans. Papoyan handed the U.S. Ambassador the telegram of acknowledgement addressed to Vahan Cheraz by Mr. Barton, the director general of the American Relief Committee, which was taken from the archives.The daughter of Azadouhi Gannaway, Leslie Malott, had specially come to Armenia with her husband to take part in this historic event. She told the audience about her mother, Zani Margaret Gannaway, and said that her mother had told her very little about her childhood. She didnt like to talk about those years and had a great appreciation towards doctor Gannaway. And only after her death did her 5 children start to gather information and discover their mother's story.This event is very personal for me. I'm very excited that people remember this story and am grateful that there is an opportunity to talk about it, said Leslie.Nareg Hartounian presented cross stones symbolizing Naregatsi Art Institute to U.S. Ambassador John Heffern, the representatives of the Near East Foundation and Director of Terchoonian H
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