In 2005, a young Minnesota family traveled to Armenia in order to adopt a 7-year-old girl they had only seen in photographs. Her birth name was Armine. Once in the U.S. , doctors discovered Armine had severely compromised vision. Her poor vision went unnoticed for 7 years. With her new glasses, Armine walked around in wonderment of the world around her. Now right before her eyes, faces, letters, and objects materialized.
In many ways, fortune shined on this child. The stark orphanage where she lived her whole life provided basic care, food, clothing, and shelter. But poor eyesight, undiagnosed and untreated during the critical early years of her life will contribute to developmental gaps that will follow her through her entire life.
Thousands of children living in orphanages receive only the most rudimentary of care. Undiagnosed sight and hearing issues will magnify the already significant obstacles to these children's healthy development. These children, their simple lives, and the moments of joy and sorrow they experience are relevant. A profound need exists to better meet their basic health needs.
So, in May of 2006, The Armine Fund began its mission to improve the health and well-being of children living in orphanages throughout the world. The founders of the Armine Fund believe in the promise of better lives through their own commitment and integrity, and the enhancement of help from targeted fundraisers and personal/corporate donations.
The Armine Fund is committed to increase awareness and deliver assistance focused on these children. Through the insight and ideas of the founding members, and contributions from generous and empathetic partners like you, more children will be screened for sight and hearing, and will receive the glasses and hearing aids they need. The result? A world that is in small ways, in distant places, and in our hearts, better, clearer, and enriched.
Please visit us often at www.arminefund.org to find out more about our mission, and how you can participate in the vision. |