As Gyumri Trchounian Tun orphanage has shut down last week, we accepted three of their previous students from ages 10-12. All three students will be coming to Debi Arach full time, six days a week. They have also been added to our transportation sponsorship program. Teachers have been paying close attention to these students to ensure that their transition to Debi Arach, and this new lifestyle, is as easy as possible. Especially our psychologist has been checking in with all

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Debi Arach celebrated Christmas at our center with a special visit from Santa Claus, who passed out gifts to all of our students! Our students also put on a small Christmas show with songs and dances! Fun was had by all! We wish all of our donors and supporters a great holiday season! #english

Yesterday we had an extra special visit from Armenian EyeCare Project who came and performed 19 eye exams for our students who exhibited sight problems. 12/19 of those students were confirmed to have sight problems and now will be fitted for glasses ! We cannot thank them enough for this great partnership and providing our students with this opportunity. #english

On November 27th, twenty-four young women received certificates of participation in the fields of hair cutting and design, nail artistry, and make-up artistry. This was the first, free of charge, lo-tech vocational program offered at Debi Arach. Mrs. Amalya Atamian, the director of the unemployment office in Gyumri, presented opportunities for all of the participants to have employment options and work registrations. #english

As the second part of our career fair program focused on the profession of law, 20 of our students were given the rare opportunity to visit a court. The president of the Universal Court of the Shirak Marz, Gagik Hovhannisyan, spoke about the judicial process and how a court case works. Our students received a full tour of the area and learned so much about the work that's involved in being a lawyer. #english

We recently were able to bring a bookshelf to Debi Arach and make a small library for our students. We have over 100 books in Armenian, English, and Russian for our students to be able to take out and read. We have extended our classes two days a week to allow for some independent reading time as well. #english

Our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in the recent weeks have been preparing special presentations per week to present to their peers. Students are split into teams and work with teachers to prepare each topic. This week's topic was a combination of math and Armenian grammar, focusing on Gomidas' work. At the end of the presentation, the students sang one of Gomidas's famous songs that they learned during our music and dance class during the summer. #english

We had an amazing fall mini-excursion with our students to a local park. Our students split up into groups, some picking up trash and cleaning the park, some writing poetry, and some doing arts and crafts with leaves and drawing inspiration from the nature around them. It was an amazing and fun day not only doing good for the community, but appreciating the beauty around us. #english

Children of Armenia Fund (COAF)'s "My Theatre" group performed The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen for Debi Arach Children's Center. The play was a huge success and very well-liked by all who were in the audience. Thank you to this troupe for providing such a great time for the students of Debi Arach! #english