The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) is a philanthropic non-profit organization
dedicated to community and cultural service. ARS members in twenty-seven
countries are dedicated to making a difference in their local communities and
around the world. The Javakhk Fund Committee was founded in June 2001, in response to the
humanitarian crisis of the Armenian people living in Javakhk. Known today as
Samts
khe-Javahketi by the Georgian government, the once historically Armenian
majority, has been incorporated into six districts, reducing the Armenian population far less than what shows on census records. These Armenians have experienced decades of economic neglect and underdevelopment by the central
Georgian government. As a result, they live in poverty, are plagued by power
shortages, and lack basic social services, mainly education and health care. The
Javakhk Fund raises crucial financial support from the Diaspora to directly fund
medical clinics, electricity infrastructure, educational assistance and the renovation
of youth centers. Situated to the south of Lori, lies Akhalkalak, historically called the Armenian
Javakhk and the Georgian Javakheti. Javakhk changed rulers from the eleventh
to the thirteenth centuries between the Georgian Bagratids and Armenian rule. The Ottoman Empire conquered Javakhk in the seventeenth century, and in 1829
was absorbed in the Russian Empire. The Georgian population relocated to the
Ottoman territories, replacing the many thousands of Turkish Armenians from
Erzerum and old Bayazit, who fled and resettled in Akhalkalak. In 1916, of the 120,000 inhabitants, including Georgians, Tartars, Greeks, and
others, the Armenian population was predominant. The Revolution of 1917 put
an end to the creation of Transcaucasia, and the Mensheviks declared the Republic of Georgia as heir to the Georgian Kingdom. This allowed Georgia to stake claim of Akhalkalak and Lori. The Armenian Relief Society has responded to the crisis in Javakhk with educational programs and a global fundraising effort. In 2005, they released a calendar showcasing the beauty and historic monuments of Javakhk. The Javakhk Fund annually visits California schools with small piggy-banks for children to fill with
their change. This has been a successful way of introducing children to the idea
that their change can help support another child’s education in Javakhk. The JFC
has also made available United States Postal Service stamps so that giving can be
as easy as mailing a letter. The “Javakhk Gala Dinner Reception” is an important event organized by the
ARS Javakhk Fund Committee. During this evening, donors gather to recieve
essential information about the progress of the Javakhk Fund and to learn more
about Javakhk from guest speakers, pamphlets, videos and other media, accompanied by dinner and entertainment. With all of these fund-raising efforts, the Javakhk Fund has been able to purchase and renovate two youth centers in Javakhk. In 2006, a youth center was purchased in Akhaltskha and in 2007, another was
purchased in Akhalkalak. ARS Javakhk Fund Committee
Chair: Lena Bozoyan (ARS Sepan Chapter)
Secretary: Christine Hovnanian (ARS Sepan Chapter)
Treasurer: Emma Salmassian (ARS Sepan Chapter)
Advisors:
• Hermine Parseghian (ARS Sevan Chapter)
• Alyssa Dermejian (ARS Lori Chapter)
• Nevart Mooradian (ARS Ani Chapter)
• Knar Avedissian (ARS Sepan Chapter)
• Giselle Chamras (ARS Sepan Chapter)
• Salpy Tekkelian (ARS Araz Chapter)
• Harout Madenian
• Sebouh Tabakian
Aida Babayan (ARS Regional Executive Board Representative) Jasik Jarahian (ARS Western Region General Manager)
