2019 University Fund #1

Pre-project Remarks

Since our first project in 2014, one of our main goals has been to enable individuals from underprivileged families to receive a higher education at their desired university or college. Building hospitals and schools are great; however, they require professionals to operate, and together we can help young professionals in Armenia to accomplish their dreams. After five years of conducting charitable work in Armenia, we like to announce our very first university fund project.

This fundraising is being conducted for Mariam Khachaturyan of Mush village, located in the Qashatagh region of Armenia. Mariam’s family is in a difficult financial situation due to her mother’s illness. Her mother is diagnosed with 2^nd stage ovarian cancer. Mariam graduated high school this year, and is working at their family farm with her father and siblings to make ends meet. She had no hopes of entering university, but she was dreaming in becoming a teacher.

We met Mariam in June 2019; when we were delivering school supplies to the younger children at her school, part of our 2019 School Supplies Project. She was part of the school choir who welcomed us by singing a few songs. By promising Mariam that we would provide financial support, she applied to Artsakh State University, and successfully passed the entrance exams. Since the round trip to the university from Mush village is about 300km, Mariam would have to move to Stepanakert. Because of her mother’s condition, Mariam decided that she would attend the first year of university online (long distance learning), so she could be at home with her mother, and support her while studding.

The breakdown of the costs are as follow:

Notes:

1. It costs 250,000 dram ($704 CAD) per year to attend university. The reason for the tuition fee being lower than usual is because Mariam will be studying through “Long Distance Learning”, which means Mariam will be attending university online from her village, rather than relocate to Stepanakert. If Mariam desires, next year she will have the option of relocating to Stepanakert to continue her remaining of studies at the university.
2. Empower Armenia purchased a laptop for Mariam from Canada. Currently, she doesn’t have any computer at home (desktop or laptop). Since she will be studying through Long Distance Learning at least the first year of her studies, we decided to purchase a laptop for her, so she can have it with her during exam periods in Stepanakert as well.
3. We had initially for seen 250,000 AMD = $704 CAD for her laptop since the laptop purchased was cheaper, the difference will be going towards paying a portion of Mariam’s textbooks.
4. Mariam will have to travel to the university in Stepanakert during exam season twice a year, for at least two weeks to write her exams. During this time, she will be staying in Stepanakert, and there are expenses associated with this, which Empower Armenia will be covering for.

Post-project remarks

As you may know, Mariam’s mother was ill with ovarian cancer. Unfortunately her mother passed away after a long a difficult battle with her illness. Mariam fought through this difficult time, and completed her first year of studies.  Her dream of becoming a teacher is one step closer because of your support. To see the details on the fundraising for her second year of studies please click here.

Since our first project in 2014, one of our main goal has been to enable individuals from underprivileged families to receive a higher education at their desired university or college. Building hospitals and schools are great; however, they require professionals to operate, and together we can help young professionals in Armenia to accomplish their dreams.  Thanks to our donors’ continuous support, we were able to successfully sponsor Mariam attend her first year of studies at Artsakh University.

Laptop-Receipt.pdf