Armenian Adoption Adventure-Armenian Orphans

Thank you Hye Helping Hands! Http://www.HyeHelpingHands.com

Armenian Adoption Adventure- What is an Armenian Family?

The Armenian Family (a brief snapshot)

Darn, I paid $50,000 to be an Armenian family...too bad it isn't working.
What is an Armenian Family?
When Argam arrived he was disappointed at the home of the Armenian child. It was obvious they were not an Armenian family but an American mix of no culture. The home was decorated with no Icons or Katchkars from Armenia and no displays of Armenian culture.
The home in upscale suburban section of Washington DC, (Maryland) had no usual Armenian hospitality of excessive food laid out. The traditional basturma, soujuk, fruits was no where to be found or the Armenian aroma of classic traditional Armenian dishes. Argam, was bewildered by the lack of Armenian spoke in the home and no reference to a local Armenian group or Armenian Church that this family was obviously not an associated with.
Upon meeting the family, he was further disappointed to see that the Mother could not speak any Armenian or had no knowledge of Armenian hospitality. The children were typical American children with no knowledge of Hayr Mer or the traditional blessing of food before they ate dinner.
As he left the house of strangers, the taking of pictures to capture the moment and declare some kind of deep friendship was thrust upon Argam and his son. Argam was cordial and agreed to the photos, but is bewildered how a non-Armenian family was able to claim to be Armenian. They don’t pray in Armenian, and have no ties to Armenia except what they pay for.
Argam left and went to an Armenian café where he had the traditional Armenian coffee and desserts.
The hospitality of Armenian people is known all over the world. Each time a happy event occurs people throw a party for relatives, friends, colleagues etc. Drinking and eating is a must; if you refuse you are not among the ones who share the joy. The more often you throw a feast (on any occasion) the more you will get in return, Armenians sincerely believe.

Armenian Concert to Benefit Gyumri Orphanage- December 18, 2010

Armen Movsisyan and Students PRESENT Concert Benefiting Armenian Orphanage
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Location Glendale Public Library
222 E Harvard St
Glendale, CA
7:30 pm - 11:00 pm

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Created By Nanee Hovsepyan, Hayko Baghdasaryan

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More Info Dear Family and Friends,

We have been practicing guitar for some time now and we would like to invite you to join us for our first ever concert organized by Armen Movsisyan!

Concert will include performances by his students, who will be both playing guitar and singing!

The base of the concert is Armenian! All of the songs will be in Armenian, as it is our goal to maintain our Armenian Culture.

Ticket Price is $12 and ALL proceeds will be donated to an Armenian orphanage in Gyumri! We will make a group effort to make sure the total amount donated will reach the children in Armenia and will not get "lost" in the process.

Thank you and hope to see all of you there!!

Armenian Orphanages to benefit from Armenian Marathon "Run for Life"

Proceeds from Run for Life to be gifted to orphanages
November 20, 2010 - 13:50 AMT 09:50 GMTPanARMENIAN.Net - Run for Life competition timed to the Thanksgiving Day took place in Vahakni residential community today, November 20.

“All proceeds from this charity campaign dated to the Thanksgiving Day will be gifted to orphanages,” Hovnanian International president, Vahakn Hovnanian told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

“The goal of the event is to propagandize sports and healthy lifestyle. Such marathons are annually held in New York and should be held more often in Armenia,” he said.

The event hosted 150 participants and over 100 guests, including U.S. ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch.

Armenian Adoption Adventure for Armenia- Armenian Lullaby

Armenian Adoption Exports- The Numbers 2007-2009

Adoption Exports from Armenia
2007-TOTAL 86 EXPORTS
USA 32
Italy 24
France 19
Germany 1
Canada 9
Spain 1

2008-TOTAL 66 EXPORTS
USA 29
Italy 32
Germany 4
Sweden 1

2009 - TOTAL 65 EXPORTS
USA 20
Italy 24
France 15
Germany 5
Netherlands 1


Karine (yerevan)

Vanessa Kachadurian - Armenian Adoption Adventure STEP 3

If you have gotten this far you are either A) Ready to adopt B) Have chosen an alternative method of adding to your family C) Have given up on the idea and are discouraged by the red tape and lengthy process of uncertainity.
Regardless,if you choose adoption or surrogacy you will still need the paperwork.

Start gathering the documents needed for a Visa and Home Study:
1) Marriage licenses, birth certificates, divorced people the final decree is needed. (note: Armenia does frown on divorces- but not impossible)
2) Financial information: last 3 years of IRS filings, deed to home/property, bankruptcy filings.
3) Medical appointment for physicials
4) Background scan at a recommended location of your home study agency, if they are competent they will have all of this information. All adults in your household will have to have this done.
5) For Armenians it helps to have your baptismal papers and/or letter from your church with the Armenian Diocese seal.
6) Include all charities and other work you have done with children.
7) write a brief bio of your family to give to the home study person. Make sure you are confident of their abilities and ask "how long they have been doing this" and about their licensing. The majority of LCSW DO NOT work for the agency but free lance by the amount of home studies they complete.
8) Make sure your home study agency has spoked to the ASP (Adoption Service Provider) that you have chosen to have the correct wording in the home study.
9) Passport information, or file for a passport at your local post office if you do not have one.
10) Coordinate with your ASP when to file your application with the USCIS. They have increased their fees tremendously and you can be alerted to file before an increase.

A competent home study agency will have a check sheet but it is best you check with what Armenia requires. The agencies will have had you sign a contract by now, some have gag orders and do not want you talking or blogging about your adoption.
Follow their contract, you are the client.