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Our Residents

“We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved, forgotten by everybody and uncared for is the greatest poverty.” - Mother Teresa

Sassoon Atasyan (Born in 1983)

Sassoon was born in Nagorno Karabakh and his parents died when he was only three years old. In 1988 he was moved from an orphanage in Baku, Azerbaijjan to one of Yerevan’s orphanages. Sassoon is a fabulous artist and enjoys drawing Armenian monasteries and churches. Along with his artistic spirit, Sassoon has a tender and affectionate heart. He dreams of learning to drive and being able to escape to Lake Sevan, the largest lake in Armenia that is known as the best place to relax in the summer months. Sassoon enjoys socializing, going on walks in the village, and sightseeing. Due to many sensitive factors, Sassoon has been in and out of psychiatric clinics prior to and unexpectedly, even since Warm Hearth opened. We are currently trying to develop an alternative program for Sassoon’s long-term care that will meet his needs in a way that Warm Hearth currently cannot. However, despite the fact that he is in and out of clinics, we are committed to him and still consider him one of our residents.

Anahit Baghramyan (Born in 1978)

Anahit was abandoned as a child and lived at a few different orphanages until she moved into our home in late autumn of 2008. She is a passionate person and feels things deeply. As you watch her sing, you can see the wells of feeling within her. She loves to sing and recite poems. She has a flare for the dramatic and brings energy and life to our home. She is a meticulous and complex person. She is incredibly active both mentally and physically. In moments where she seeks calm and quiet, she turns to music and song.

Agappy Carukyan (Born in 1980)

Agappy was left at an orphanage with her brother and sister due to her mother’s poverty. Since that day she has never been in touch with her mother. Unfortunately, in the shuffle between orphanages, she also lost track of her siblings. Even so, she is a remarkably content and capable person. She loves to work in the garden and enjoys physical work. She has made the Warm Hearth garden beautiful and is calmed by working with the earth.

Roman Hovhannisyan (Born in 1981)

Roman is first noticed for his endearing smile and a childlike fervor. Born in Yerevan, he spent most of his life at Nubarashen Orphanage until moving to Kapan in 1999. He loves working with pastels. It is one of his favorite ways to spend his time. He also loves music and has become the Warm Hearth “Tech Support”, operating the CD player and television. He often acts as the “DJ”, choosing music that everyone will enjoy. He also enjoys being outside and doing exercises to build his strength. With the direction of a Peace Corps volunteer who is also a physical therapist, Roman now has exercises that are helping him to improve. He has learned to draw, color and write. He has shown remarkable progress in that he is increasingly willing to try new things. For so long he held back after being told all of his life that he was unable. But he has shown great courage. In his own words, Roman wants to live a good, long life and be clever and friendly. He has said that after living so long with the other residents of Warm Hearth, that they are now his brothers and sisters. For this reason, he never wants to leave them.

Davit Mamikyan (Born in 1988)

Davit came to us in the beginning of 2009 after losing his mother. He and his mother had lived on the streets for a time and he was in need of a home at the time of her death. Even in the face of this grief, Davit brings a wide smile and an open heart to our home. He loves the outdoors. He is kind and affectionate to all whom he meets. He has the unique combination of having tremendous energy and incredible softness. He loves to eat and celebrate, dance and sing. If he is not able to do something, he will still try to learn with a smile.

Davit Mikayelyan (Born in 1978)

Davit spent the first eight years of his life in Kharbert Orphanage and then was transferred to two other orphanages before settling into his home at Warm Hearth. He is originally from Syunik Region, where his family still lives. Despite a difficult past and severe and painful scoliosis, Davit is positive, kind and caring. He has a great sense of humor and it has been said by our director that “anyone will laugh all day if they can only be near Davit”. He is always the first person to the door to welcome visitors. He is a meticulous person that strives so hard to do things "right." With the instruction of a local carpet maker, Davit has begun making his own traditional carpets, a craft that is respected in Armenia. He loves animals, being outside, and someday would like to learn how to drive and work at a kindergarten. His closest friend is Roman, another Warm Hearth resident, and he wants to continue living with his friends.

Armine Minaskyan (Born in 1980)

Armine moved into our home in late autumn of 2008 from Parakar Orphanage, outside of Yerevan. As an infant, she was abandoned at an orphanage and we have no information about her parents. She is a keen observer and enjoys watching people. She loves gathering in the evenings, laughing, thinking and reflecting with the others. When someone makes a joke, she is the first to laugh and smile. And oftentimes, she offers one of her own. She loves to work and help in the house, especially in the kitchen. She is eager to take responsibility for her life and brings a spirit of diligence and responsibility to our home.

Alina Mirzoyan (Born in 1979)

Alina was born in Kapan and sent to live at an orphanage at a young age. Her father was involved in the Nagorno Karabagh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and still lives in Karabakh. Her mother died many years ago. Alina is an artist. She loves to sing and has a beautiful voice. She also enjoys doing embroidery work and drawing. Alina has filled notebooks with amazing artwork, often depictions of nature. She is deeply creative and has a quiet spirit. Alina loves the flighty spring weather of Armenia and blooming trees. She is often “caught” ironing clothes or doing laundry, tasks she learned to do at Warm Hearth in spite of cerebral palsy and weakness on one side of her body. Needless to say, she is proud of her skills. Alina wants to learn exercises to strengthen her weaker side. She is committed to growing more independent and would like to live one day in her own house with one or two friends. Her sister has re-established contact with her since Warm Hearth opened and visits her regularly.

Sargis Papaghchyan (Born in 1982)

Sargis came to Warm Hearth in late autumn of 2008 from Parakar Orphanage. He loves to work with his hands and is helpful around the home. He also is an artist and has done some woodwork. He is a positive and responsible person who would eventually benefit from a job and an independent place to live. He was abandoned by his mother as an infant and left on the street. Later in life, he was able to locate his mother and a few half-brothers and sisters, whom he loves very much. He dreams of finding a wife and working with his hands in a meaningful job.

Gayane Semenova (Born in 1980)

Gayane has a mother’s heart. This is evident in her community as she is very nurturing. She cares for others and always makes sure that everyone and everything is "on track". She helps other residents with their laundry and cares for her friends when they are sick, bringing them tea and sweet candies. She is passionate about caring for people, embroidery and gardening. Gayane makes beautiful handcrafts and hopes to sell them someday soon. Before Warm Hearth opened, she spent her life in three different orphanages. Gayane is of Armenian and Russian descent. Gayane has learned how to be a cook but dreams of being a nurse, which would be fitting. She loves to spend time outside, especially in the month of May when the trees have budded and the mountains are carpeted with green. She has no known family members and was orphaned at a young age. Gayane also desires and would be capable of living independently with a friend or two, and with only minimal support from Warm Hearth. We hope to make this dream a reality for her.

Susanna Slabtsova (Born in 1983)

Susanna sings beautifully and considers music her "specialty." She was abandoned to an orphanage at the age of six and in the last few years has been in and out of psychiatric institutions. She is a deeply sensitive person. Previously, quiet and reserved with strangers, Susanna has blossomed since Warm Hearth opened. She puts aside special gifts for each visitor and shows such kindness to anyone in her path. She loves books, earrings and pretty things. She is generous and enjoys interacting with guests and going on walks. Before coming to Warm Hearth Susanna spent most of her time alone, often feeling misunderstood and alienated. We have been blessed to see such tremendous progress as she has been given kindness and love within our home. She has begun again to pursue hobbies that long lay dormant and recently even re-established contact with her sisters. She reads avidly, participates in the daily vocational development activities and even has begun conducting classes for the other residents.

Yulia Syvazjan (Born in 1978)

Yulia rarely spoke before coming to Warm Hearth. She was abandoned at the tender age of six and since has been shifted around from orphanage to orphanage. She was severely neglected until the age of fifteen. As a result, she was profoundly underweight and did not speak at all for many years. She is no longer timid around strangers and has made impressive progress in the last few years and has even begun to participate on the social walks through the village safely and without a chaperone, which we advocate as it increases her independence. She speaks often now, sings, laughs, dances and draws. She enjoys her increased independence. Yulia is very kind and tender. She loves children (and they effortlessly return her affection), soft toys, baby animals, and candy. She lights up when she hears music and often dances to Armenian folk music. Her first language is Russian, so we often call her by the Russian nickname of Yulushky.

Hasmik Vecikyan (Born in 1980)

As an infant, Hasmik was left at an orphanage. She moved into our home in late autumn of 2008 from Parakar Orphanage, outside of Yerevan. She is a tender-hearted person, sensitive and shy. She is also deeply kind, smiles often and has a heart that is open. She often tucks her chin in and looks up out of the corner of her eyes to wait for an embrace. She is a somewhat solitary soul at this time. We hope that she will develop deep friendships as time goes on. She loves babies and spends hours playing creatively with them. There is no one gentler with a child. Hasmik also loves to work with paper mache and to participate in the home life and work. We are blessed to have her as one of ours.

Anna Zargaryan (Born in 1984)

Anna lost both parents at a young age. She lived in Gavar Orphanage until she was 18 and then moved to Kapan. She was been in and out of psychiatric institutions for most of her life, including since she first came to Warm Hearth in January of 2006. At the moment, she is back home and doing well, which is a gift to all of us, most especially to her. Anna is a very energetic, passionate and spiritual person. She has a very kind heart and is willing to help any one in need. Despite all she has been through, she still exhibits joy and openness towards people. She is affectionate and playful. One of her greatest enjoyments is socializing with neighbors in the village and staff in the clinics. She enjoys spending time in nature, cooking and cleaning. She enjoys helping the staff around the home. She loves music and Britney Spears! Born in Yerevan, she still has siblings in the area and we are hoping that she can reestablish contact with them in the near future.