New Year and Christmas celebration for women suffering from cancer

A celebratory meeting was organized on December 13, 2016, at JMP–L’s “Kurkjian” hall, with the participation of 15 women who suffer from cancer and battle the disease with the help of financial assistance that JMP–L provides for the coverage of their medical expenses.

The meeting’s welcome speech was delivered by JMP–L social worker Mrs. Ani Aznavourian, who provided an overview of JMP–L’s 50-year work and stressed that JMP–L is ready to assist those suffering from medical conditions, including cancer. Mrs. Aznavourian also conveyed her heartfelt wishes on the occasion of Christmas and New Year.

Next, Mrs. Angel Melkonian, a nurse, provided useful information about the foods and lifestyles that lead to the development of cancer. She specifically warned attendees about the dangers of the extreme use of salt, sugar and fats, while stressing the importance of physical activity. She also spoke about early diagnosis and treatment methods, and she communicated her message of hope to the attendees, noting the importance of praying and spiritual activities as ways to face the disease.

Toward the end of the event, Ms. Garineh Antranigian presented Christmas and New Year songs. A cake-cutting ceremony followed, along with the distribution of gifts and a sum of money, provided by the donor.

Christmas and New Year event for people with physical and mental challenges

On December 20, 2016, a Christmas and New Year celebratory event took place at “Ararad Palace” with the participation of 36 people with physical and mental challenges.

Bourj Hammoud Municipality policemen assisted with the organization of the event. Together with JMP–L social workers, they visited the homes of the needy individuals to help them ride the special buses provided for their transportation.

Social worker Mrs. Sevan Ishkhan welcomed the event participants and thanked the JMP–L donor for helping spread smiles to people in need. She invited Father Ghevont Loshkhadjian to address the participants. Father Ghevont said that Jesus Christ illuminated our lives and his birth brought happiness and peace to the world.

The event’s artistic program included a performance of renowned Armenian songs by singer Ararad Aharonian, accompanied by Mr. Shant Dishchekenian (keyboards) — both of whom participated voluntarily. The joyful event ended with the distribution of gifts by Santa Claus.

Distribution of blood pressure meters

A special event was organized on December 21, 2016 at JMP–L’s “Kurkjian” hall in order to distribute digital blood pressure monitors to 30 individuals facing socioeconomic difficulties who suffer from high blood pressure.

Before the distribution of gifts, Dr. Elie Tashjian gave a lecture, using a PowerPoint presentation. He briefly listed the causes of high blood pressure, as well as the ways to recognize its early signs, methods to treat it, and steps to follow in case of emergencies.

Each blood pressure monitor recipient also received instructions about its usage. The event closed with the reading of a spiritual text by Ms. Nanor Tashjian, the coordinator of JMP–L’s Community Health Development – Medication Dispensing Service.

Assistance to needy families

JMP–L selected 15 families with financial and social difficulties in order to provide them with financial assistance on the occasion of Christmas and New Year. These families shared a lunch and celebrated together the birth of Jesus Christ, thus enjoying the warmth of a family gathering that is so essential especially during holidays.

The families expressed their gratitude to JMP–L, the donor, and social worker Mrs. Lucie Khatchadourian, who follows up closely on their cases and provides the necessary guidance and advice to help them overcome their difficulties.

• Read the Armenian version of this article published in The Aztag Daily.

On the occasion of Easter, a gathering took place in the Jinishian center, on 4 April 2013. The event’s guest was Father Mesrob Kerkezian, who talked about the Easter Holiday. He explained the special meaning of each day of Holy Week, such as the parable of the Ten Virgins, the washing of the feet, the Last Supper, and the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ. Father Kerkezian also spoke about the symbolic importance of Easter traditions, such as egg dying and cracking.

The event included an artistic program by students of the Karasoun Manoug (Forty Martyrs) School, who read poetry and presented a number of songs. Afterwards, the students and the elderly played an Easter egg-cracking game, and the winning elderly woman received a gift.

The participants had the opportunity to taste the delicious sou beoreg donated by Mamig’s Kitchen company. The salad was prepared by volunteer women, who also assisted with the food distribution.

By bringing together representatives of different generations, this event succeeded in creating a strong bridge and spiritual bond among them.

• Read the Armenian version of this article published in The Aztag Daily.

The visiting team also included Father Garabed Tateossian from the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate as well as some parents.

The patients gathered in a hall and were offered traditional Easter treats and sweats (colorful eggs, tcheoreg [sweet bread], chocolate, etc.). They also received some gifts. Through a prayer, Father Tateossian conveyed the spirit of Holy Resurrection to the attendees.

The parents expressed their gratitude to Jinishian for offering them an opportunity to visit their children. The patients, many of whom are often abandoned even by their own families, cherished the attention and care they received from the event organizers and participants.

• Read the Armenian version of this article published in The Aztag Daily.

In her opening speech, MC Maral Harboyan emphasized the importance of Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I’s declaration of 2013 as “Year of the Armenian Mother.” Next, she invited student choirs and dance groups from the following Armenian schools to successively perform Christmas and Armenian traditional songs, and Armenian and non-Armenian dances: Armenian Evangelical Shamlian-Tatigian Secondary School, Yeghishe Manoukian College, AGBU Levon G. Nazarian Elementary School, and Armenian Catholic Mesrobian High School.

Next spoke Bishop Mgr. Hovhannes Teyrouzian, who led the lunchtime opening prayer, and then presented an excerpt (in Armenian and Arabic) from the Book of Psalms: “Each of us lives for 70 years, or 80 if we are healthy. But all that time is filled with trouble and sorrow. The years quickly pass, and we fly away.” He wished attendees to be always in good health in order to bless those around them with their wisdom.

Words of thanks were expressed to JMP–L, the Armenian Relief Cross, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), and the social service committees of the three Armenian religious denominations for sponsoring and supporting this event and for helping make it a success. Thanks were also given to Hi Food for donating the meals. For the various gifts distributed to the elderly, Mrs. Maral Harboyan thanked Mr. Nazaret and Mrs. Jane Ayanian, Mr. Hovsep and Mrs. Seta Imasdounian, and the Mayor of the Municipality of Bourj Hammoud. Women volunteers helped organize the distribution of the meals.

The next speaker was Rev. Soghomon Kilaghbian, who stressed the following section from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Rev. Kilaghbian said: “As Armenian Christians, we always have to be merciful and compassionate.”

Following his speech, Setrag and Shakeh Baghdassarian entertained attendees with a series of Armenian songs.

The last speech was delivered by Archbishop Kegham Khatcherian who said: “We have come today to give you speeches, but in fact you have a lot to teach us thanks to your long years of experience. Pray for the young so they can remember you.”

The event ended with a cake-cutting ceremony and distribution of gifts.

• Read the Armenian version of this article published in The Aztag Daily.

Commemorative Corporation, Armenian Relief Cross of Lebanon, and Jinishian Memorial Program–Lebanon) visited the Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross. The visit was organized by the Union of Armenian Social Workers in Lebanon, in order to celebrate Easter with the Armenian patients in the hospital.

Twenty-four male Armenian patients had gathered in the hospital hall when the group of social workers arrived. They welcomed the group with smiles and said that they are happy for the visit and proud to be Armenian. Together, they prayed and talked about Easter. Then, the social workers distributed sandwiches which they had brought with them, and the visit ended with an egg-cracking game. The patients asked the social workers to visit them again on other occasions and a number of them sent their regards to their parents.

Next, the visiting group went to another department where they met with 14 Armenian female patients. The department’s social worker welcomed the visitors and talked about the problems that these patients have. Then, they all prayed and thanked the visitors for remembering them at Easter time.

This visit was successfully completed thanks to the coordination of different organizations. The social workers joined efforts to bring joy and happiness to the psychiatric hospital’s Armenian patients who wanted to keep their ethnic identity and were proud of their national cultural heritage, in addition to their Christian faith.

Within the framework of these events, a Mid-Lent gathering for elderly was held on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at the JMP–L center.

A group of students from “Levon and Sofia Hagopian” Armenian College surprised attendees with their artistic performances during the event. They entertained the elderly with their songs, dances and poetry readings.

The student who delivered a speech on behalf of her classmates said that it is a great pleasure for her and her friends to be present at this event and receive the blessing of the older generation. She asked the elderly to pray for them to become hard-working and creative Armenians.

At the end of the performances, the students distributed presents to the elderly which they had bought with the money they had raised by organizing a dessert-sale fundraiser at their school.

The second part of the event opened with a speech by Father Sevag Vasilian. He spoke about the meaning and importance of Lent, inspiring attendees with his spiritual advice and spreading hope among them. He also added that love, repentance, and forgiveness are graces that Jesus Christ taught us about, and that praying constitutes spiritual salvation.

A group of female volunteers prepared and distributed the meal. The dessert, Armenian tahini bread, was offered by an Armenian bakery.

The event was unique because it brought together representatives of younger and older generations on the occasion of Lent. The enthusiasm of the young students to show their care for and respect to the elderly, as well as the efforts of the women volunteers, are praiseworthy.

Read the Armenian version of this article published in The Aztag Daily.

In an opening speech, Mrs. Maral Harboyan said that the older generation has much wisdom and experience that should be passed on to the younger generation. Then, students from four Armenian schools had presentations including songs, poetry readings, and dances. The elderly were entertained by Mrs. Karmen Ajemian who sang Armenian national songs with the accompaniment of Mr. Georgig Delalian on the drums.

During the event, the representatives of the three Armenian churches spoke to the elderly. They said that it is a blessing to honor the senior generation and thanked the younger representatives of the community for caring. Then, together they cut the cake which was provided by the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU).

The celebration ended with the distribution of presents by Santa Claus. The gifts had been offered by the Municipality of Bourj Hammoud and “Sesitex” institution. Women volunteers helped the elderly in distributing the meals, cake, fruit and coffee.

All of the attendees expressed their happiness and gratitude for the care and support of the community institutions and volunteer workers.

Read a related article published in The Aztag Daily (in Armenian).

On September 15, 2011, a group of 25 elderly, two volunteer women from JMP–L’s Community Health Development Program, and two staff members went on a daylong trip to KCHAG, the Christian Youth Summer Conference Center of the Armenian Evangelical Churches.

The elderly enjoyed the refreshing mountain air and the view. They joined pastor Datev Basmajian in the church, who after welcoming the elderly shared his thoughts with them. He spoke about the problems that youth face today and the difficulties they often encounter, such as drugs, alcoholism, and lack of moral and religious values. He asked the elderly to pray for them, give advice and support when needed.

Then, he read Psalm 90 — the prayer of Moses, the man of God. He said that God created the whole world, and can turn people back to dust. For Him, a thousand years are like a day. So we should ask God to teach us to number our days, to rest His favor on us, and to establish the work of our hands. Then Rev. Datev and the elderly prayed and a few shared testimonies based on their own life experiences.

The volunteer women served the meal, which was prepared in the summer camp’s kitchen, and the elderly returned home carrying with them the memory of a beautiful day of recreation and spiritual uplift.

The aim of this event was to show love and respect to the grandparents.

From JMP–L, 19 elderly people, two volunteers, and the social worker of the Elderly Care Program joined in this activity.

The program of the event included performances with the participation of the Internal Security Forces’ orchestra, singer Joseph Azar, teenage singer Rima Abi Rashed, and the folk dance group Alhan. Also, Carol Aoun and Shady Ghiedamounie sang a special song paying tribute to grandparents written for this occasion by lawyer Pierre Haddad.

The director of Kibarouna, Mrs. Henriette Haddad, thanked all who take care of the elderly, those in charge of the NGOs, and the participants of the event, honoring them with special plaques of acknowledgement from Kibarouna.

The elderly people and the volunteers from JMP–L joined the entertainers in singing and dancing. They returned home with the transportation means secured for them by JMP–L, expressing their gratitude for being thought of, loved and respected.

Within this framework, an elderly gathering was held on April 28, 2011 on JMP–L premises, to celebrate Easter.

The program included a presentation on a health-related topic, presented by nutritionist Maria Tekeyian. She also provided helpful information to the elderly suffering from chronic diseases and advised that they adopt a healthy diet to avoid complications caused by such diseases.

During the second part of the program, a presentation was given by Rouzanna Salkhanian from the “Loosavortchi Gantegh” (Illuminator’s Lamp) community. Salkhanian talked about the spiritual significance of Easter, and inspired attendees to look for spiritual uplift and have hope.

The surprise of the day was the presence of “Chick,” one of the characters of the “Happy Birthday” group, which entertained the elderly with dances and songs during the Easter egg-cracking game.

Lunch was donated by the firm “Mamig’s Kitchen.” A group of volunteer women helped with the distribution of the food.

The attendees left the event spiritually uplifted.