This year had many firsts for Empower Armenia. We sponsored our first university student, we gave school supplies to 200 children (previously about 50 per year). We conducted our first and second dental hygiene projects. Now we’ve decided to fundraise for our first surgery project in our healthcare category, which involves a two-year-old child. The following is a letter from the mother of that child, asking us for help, to finance her little boy’s surgery.
“Hello generous donors and supporters of Empower Armenia. I am Anna, a mother of beautiful twin angels. My children are two years old, my son Henry, and my daughter Nataly. Before getting married I had health issues, and I had to undergo two serious spine surgeries. After getting married, my husband and I were unable to have children. After trying for some time, we decided to see a maternity doctor. After taking ineffective medication and treatments, our doctor suggested that I undergo IVF procedure, which would increase our chance of having children. The only challenge was financing the procedure. In Armenia this is an expensive treatment, so we decided to take a bank loan. Unfortunately, the first two tries were unfruitful, however we decided to try and undergo IVF procedure for the third time, and thank God, now we are blessed with our two little angels.
Unfortunately, life presented another challenge for us. My baby boy Henry, has been diagnosed with Hydrocele, which is the swelling in the scrotum that occurs when fluid collects in the thin sheath surrounding a testicle. Henry needs surgery, thankfully such surgeries are free for children in Armenia. However, since we are going through financial hardship at this time, because of the bank repayments of the IVF procedure loans. For this reason, we are unable to pay for the medication and the care that follows the surgery. We have decided to approach ‘Empower Armenia’ for support and any help that they can provide.
Thank you,
Anna.”
As per Anna’s request, we are keeping all personal information and photos of the family offline. Only donors will be able to speak with Anna if they wish so. We are very dedicated to keep all of our project as transparent as possible.
The following are the cost breakdowns, which we are fundraising for. Exchange rate was calculated at $1 CAD = 355 AMD.
| Item | Costs (AMD) | Costs(CAD) |
| Medication | 20,000 դր․ | $56.34 |
| Hospital bed fee | 45,000 դր․ | $126.76 |
| Wet Napkins, Medical Plasticizer, Miscellaneous, | 40,000 դր․ | $112.68 |
| Medicine | 80,000 դր․ | $225.35 |
| Post Operation Costs | 100.000 դր․ | $281.69 |
| Total | 285,000 դր․ | $802.02 |
