 As a Board member of the Yerevan City Greek Community, I was invited two months ago to a concert organized in honor of the delegation including members of the Greek Lions Clubs which is part of the world-known Lions Clubs International. Representatives of the Greek Lions Clubs, under the direction of the Governor for Greek Lions Clubs 117-A Mr. Kostas Geroitos, provided humanitarian help to Greeks living in Yerevan and in other cities of Armenia. This was the second time in six months that they'd given humanitarian help to Greeks of Armenia.
GREEKS LIONS CLUBS HUMANITARIAN HELP
By Dr. Marina Mkhytaryan
During their first visit, I was not in Armenia. I was delighted with the scope of the Lions Clubs International activities. With the world economic crisis escalating throughout different countries and interfering in the life conditions of people, such humanitarian help is of great value. The Lions Clubs International website states that: 'Whenever a Lions club gets together, problems get smaller. And communities get better. That's because we help where help is needed - in our own communities and around the world - with unmatched integrity and energy.' I can only say that I'm in total agreement with their approach.
According to official data, the number of Greeks living in Armenia is 1176 people. With the world economic crisis escalating throughout different countries and interfering in the life conditions of people, such humanitarian help is of great value.
Besides helping local Greeks, the delegation under the direction of Mr. Kostas Geroitos, visited school N 74 located in Yerevan. Children here learn Greek as a foreign language from the second class. Optical glasses for children from needy families were funded by guests.
My thanks go to the Governor of the Greek Lions Clubs 117-A Mr. Kostas Geroitos and his associates, officers of the Greek Embassy in Armenia, and the Head of the Yerevan Greek Community "Pontioi" Mr. Fruntik Nikolaidis for organizing such necessary help. My special thanks go to the representatives of the Armenian authorities who helped in organizing the transportation of goods from Greece to Armenia.
While doing my research on the Greeks of Armenia, I was delighted to see the Armenian-Greek feeling of brotherhood and friendship. This friendship dates back to ancient times and its roots are strong. Time and history continue to strengthen and develop these ties between the Armenian and Greek nations.
Dr. Marina Mkhitaryan
Armenia
|
