Among the people that have benefited from the house heating program are Artsvik and Armik Terzyans. One of them is bed-ridden and unable to move or do anything by herself. The second sister is almost in the same health state and can hardly move. They live alone and have no relatives to help them.
Mission Armenia has been serving the Terzyans since 1995. The care-provider visits them three-four times a week and does all kinds of work that is needed – house-cleaning, food provision, bathing, laundry, etc. Besides, the medical team has taken them under the control and provides relevant medical aid.
While visiting the sisters Hratsh Kiujian, the Head of the Australian office saw them lying in their beds. Their care-provider was in the middle of her work in that house. She explained that she had already cleaned the rooms, cooked the meal and helped the sisters with feeding, as they were unable to do it by themselves. The rest of the work – wash up and laundry, foot hygiene, etc. – still were to be done.
The guest turned to the one of the sisters: “Mrs. Artsvik, please tell us about yourselves…” And a whole life story followed the request. The sisters were born in Van, which is now in Turkey. Their father was killed there during the armed conflict. And the sisters’ mother could hardly escape during the Armenian Genocide in 1915. The two old people had experienced almost an entire century full of difficult life…
“By the way, – she said, – I had a very nice voice, soprano, when I was young…” Yet now her voice was as trembling as her hands.
It would be wise to change the topic. “What about the care that is provided to you, Mrs. Artsvik?” She said, “Oh, we would not be alive any more if not that organization and kind people. They do everything for us… You see? How clean our home is… It wasn’t such before our care-provider came. How warm our home is… It wasn’t such… It wasn’t such before we were given the heater. It just saves our bodies from being completely frozen. I know that kind people from Australia and the States have helped us to have it. If you knew how grateful we are for it…”