Hiding poverty - a matter of honour for Maria's family
Maria, 15, lives with her parents and two brothers in a tiny old cabin made out of metal in the middle of Talin town. Having neither electricity nor a regular income for living, the family's life is limited to what they can do while the sun is up. They spend the majority of their time outside the cabin, in the small yard where peach and apple trees grow. When the sun sets, they go inside to sleep.
the family's life is limited to what they can do while the sun is up
The cabin they sleep in is a metal box with rotten walls. The overwhelming smell of rotten wood and metal is felt at the entrance of the cabin where Alla, her husband, Hunan, and their children: Hayk, 18; Maria, 15; and Arman, 4, often lay down to try to sleep despite hunger pangs.
To make matters more complicated, Maria was born with Cerebral Palsy, making it difficult for her to keep up with her peers in terms of both educational and physical abilities. For a long time Maria could hardly move. Thanks in part to parenting classes that Alla participated in which were provided by World Vision and a lot of time and dedication Maria, who at one point could not even stand now runs and plays with her younger brother.
Maria’s physical and cognitive abilities have improved greatly over the recent years, nevertheless she choose to leave school because of the ridicule she received from her peers. Alla tries to help her at least maintain what she had learned by reviewing the letters and practicing reading at home. Additionally, her articulation and pronunciation abilities have drastically improved thanks the support she received from World Vision Armenia’s Child Centre in Talin. Today, she can speak, although she only does so with family members as she is scared from previous criticism.
Despite her family’s living conditions Alla never complains. “I have a husband who loves me, my kids are adorable, I live in my small yard with beautiful trees," she says, strongly. Although she is grateful for the support she and her family have received from World Vision she prefers things they earn over gifts or hand-outs.
Maria spends most of her time playing with her younger brother Arman in their yard. Arman is a bright and curious 4-year-old who should begin start preschool soon. Instead, he spends his days riding his trike around their small yard.
There are more than 20 other families in Talin who also frequently go to sleep with empty stomachs
Alla and her children are not alone. There are more than 20 other families in Talin who also frequently go to sleep with empty stomachs. The difference between these families are huge, Maria’s family is the only one whose house is not made out of stone.
The shoes and clothes the family received from World Vision Armenia help keep Maria and her family members from catching cold and infecting each other, especially during the cold Armenian winters that penetrate the walls of their home. Wearing the new warm clothes Maria also proudly wears a smile. The new clothes help her know that other also care for her.
ENDS
Maria is a sponsored child. Her older brother was also a sponsored child before aging out of the programme.