YEREVAN — Two recent successful fundraising campaigns by the Friends of Armenian Soldier and Family (FASF) have turned supporters’ generosity into tangible opportunities and meaningful experiences for families of Armenia’s fallen soldiers.
Founded by Adam Kablanian, FASF partners with other organizations to support programs that address the needs of families who have lost loved ones in service to Armenia. Its two most recent campaigns supported very different initiatives: a sustainable livelihood program for families and a summer camp for children and their mothers.
Through its partnership with ZINAPAH, FASF provided a $15,000 grant to support a rabbit-breeding program benefiting 10 families of fallen soldiers. ZINAPAH matched FASF’s $15,000 contribution, bringing the total funding for the program to $30,000.
The program offers participating families an opportunity to develop a small, sustainable source of income. Rather than simply addressing an immediate need, the initiative gives families the means to build something that can continue to benefit them over time.
FASF’s second campaign supported a very different kind of need. The foundation provided $18,000 to ZINAPAH to help make possible a four-day camp in Dilijan for nearly 300 children of fallen soldiers and their mothers. With ZINAPAH matching FASF’s contribution, the campaign set a $36,000 combined fundraising goal and successfully reached it.
The children attended the camp in four groups, spending four days in the beautiful surroundings of Dilijan filled with friendship, play, and new memories. For children growing up without their fathers, the camp offered not only a welcome break before the new school year, but also the opportunity to spend time with others who share a similar family experience. Their mothers, too, had the chance to come together and share those days with other families.
