Not being able to play games two brothers tell stories to each other

Photos by Nune Hayrapetyan

The photos capture the isolated lives of two boys living in one of the communities in Shirak Region, where they are left behind because of health problems and lack of other social services.

Narek, 6, and Arman, 10, live isolated lives in one of the communities in Shirak Region, where they are left because of health problems and lack of other social services.

Shirak is located in the northwest Armenia, along the border with Turkey and Georgia. Their mother, Gayane, 46, broke her leg recently and had to borrow money from neighbours to visit the doctor and to be back on feet. The procedure used all of the family’s resources and more, causing them to go into debt (around 100,000 AMD – US$250) to many of their neighbours who kindly loaned them money. Today, the most Gayane can do is care for her children and her husband; she still can’t even work in the small garden they have near the house. And the pension they receive is not enough to cover their daily food not mentioning to fade away the debts. 

“World Vision Armenia’s Amasia ADP is newly opened program which has already completed the design process, and registered more than 700 children around the communities during the last 12 months. We will do our best to find and support such kind of families through World Vision’s four core aspirations: children enjoy good health; are educated for life; experience love of God and their neighbours; are cared for, protected and participating. We pray for these children. May lord give them health and opportunities to enjoy their childhood!” – says Vahe Gevorgyan, World Vision Amasia Area Development Program Manager.