NEWS AND EVENTS
UPCOMING FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Please contact the Board if you are interested in hosting an event to raise money for Mer Doon.
Your support is vital to the success of the program and the future of our girls!
If you have plans to travel to Armenia, please consider visiting Mer Doon!
To sponsor an event or for more information, please contact us.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
NEWS FROM THE U.S. BOARD
Eleven young women are currently living at Mer Doon, and all of them are pursuing a college level education or are training in a trade or vocation. On May 1, 2009 classes ended for the summer. The staff and Board are very proud of Ira Poghosian, who received an award for her active participation in the scientific conference at the Gr. Lousavorich University.
Residents Are Thriving at Mer Doon
The residents will continue to receive in-house education in Armenian history, language skills, religion, and other skills training from staff members. The residents continue to pursue their hobbies of carpet weaving, craft making, dancing and baking. In addition, they are planting and growing fruit and vegetables in the garden, and learning to preserve the fruits of their labor.
U.S. Coordinator Julie Ashekian Visits Mer Doon
U.S. Coordinator Julie Ashekian recently returned from her first visit to Mer Doon since the program opened. She was welcomed with great excitement by the staff and residents, many of whom knew Julie as children when they lived as the Gavar Orphanage. During her two week visit, Julie worked with the NGO Board on administrative issues, and spent a great deal of time with the residents. Julie was very excited to see the wonderful progress being made by the staff and residents in the nearly two years the program has been operating.
Singer Alla Levonian Visits Mer Doon
On June 25, 2008 Armenian folklore singer Alla Levonian visited Mer Doon. Ms. Levonian is a UNICEF goodwill ambassador in Armenia. The residents and staff enjoyed a wonderful visit with Ms. Levonian and her guests.
The Mer Doon Extended Family Grows
In February, 2008 Mer Doon celebrated its second wedding. Lianna Danielian, one of Mer Doon’s original residents, married Vahe Ghazarian from Apaga village in the Etchmiadzin region. Lianna has recently announced that she is pregnant. Her child is due in January. Vahe has a mother, father, and a married sister with two children. Lianna will continue to pursue her university education thanks to the generosity of the Armenian Educational Foundation. Lianna’s sister Diana remains at Mer Doon and is pursuing a university level education.
In November 2007, Mer Doon celebrated the marriage of Varsenik and Samvel Sargisian. Varsenik has also announced that she is pregnant and their child is due in December. The Board is excited that the voices of youngsters will soon be filling the halls of Mer Doon when our alumnae return for a visit.
St. John Armenian Church School of Southfield, Michigan 2009 BIKE-A-THON: A Great Success!
Our Church School bikers and their parents were blessed by a bright day of sun at Hines Park on Saturday, May 9 to launch this year’s fundraiser for OUR HOME-MER DOON. It was a huge success and other churches on the East Coast have expressed interest in having their own Bike A Thon.
On behalf of the Church School, Mer Doon, and the Bike-a-thon Committee, I would like to thank everyone who participated and supported our Bike-a-thon. We could not have done it without your support and dedication. We are all very proud of the young ladies and gentlemen who chose to ride and work for a wonderful charity. You should all be very proud of your accomplishment! It truly was a success and a fun day for all.
For those who were not able to join us, don’t worry, there is always next year. We look forward to riding and/or working with you!