Anna Hakobyan: Sadly, We Have a Family Refusing to Leave Someone Else’s Property

Anna Hakobyan, the chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of the "City of Smile" charitable foundation, stated on her Facebook page that the foundation, committed to the ethics of charity and respecting the personal space of the families it supports, has never disclosed or used their assistance for the benefit of its reputation.

In her post titled "About Poverty, Dignity, and Work," she highlighted the adherence to the principle of “do not harm,” emphasizing that the foundation's beneficiaries have been kept away from becoming subjects of public discussion. She pointed out that a large family’s situation had recently become a topic of debate, stirring significant noise in the media and social networks, shamefully using the family's social vulnerability.

“Unfortunately, there will always be problematic stories, but it is our collective responsibility to protect these families, especially their minor children, from becoming the focus of speculation, to safeguard their dignity and rights, and to show restraint in our evaluations,” she stated.

Hakobyan further noted that she intends to refer to similar existing stories to raise awareness about overcoming poverty without desire, willpower, education, and work.

Over the past two years, with the support of the foundation's donors and consistent efforts by its social workers, several families have received ongoing assistance, including access to social services, involvement in various programs, improvement of living conditions, psychological support, and, in some cases, temporary housing provided free of charge by benevolent citizens.

Thanks to this comprehensive support, families have been able to save money, participate in skill development training provided by the foundation, and secure employment.

With deep concern, we note that alongside families who have significantly benefited from development programs, there are those who have not derived any advantages from these initiatives, exhibiting destructive and rejectionist attitudes while simultaneously refusing attempts to stand on their own two feet.

“Sadly, we have a family that refuses to leave someone else's property; the foundation has been consistently trying to address the employment issue of adult members for two years, but they have declined,” Hakobyan lamented. “There was a beneficiary who spread defamatory misinformation on social media, alleging that the foundation ‘is making noise at first, receiving money for families like this, and then refuses to help them,’ when in fact that same family has received around one and a half million drams from the benefactor through the foundation over the past two years but has refused all proposed solutions to increase their income on their own.”

“On a positive note, we also have success stories; there are families who, thanks to the foundation's support and their determination, have managed to overcome problems and change their lives. It is these success stories that compel us to remain hopeful and continue steadfast on our chosen path.”

“It is crucial that we have supporters evaluating our programs who selflessly stand alongside these families, providing humanitarian support for an extended time. Thank you.”

Hakobyan emphasized that the "My Step" foundation continues to work on improving the effectiveness of its programs aimed at genuinely enhancing the quality of life of individuals in difficult situations, with the underlying values of respecting individual dignity, the importance of self-sufficiency, and fully participating in society. “We will spare no effort or resources in this matter. LET US UNITE OUR EFFORTS FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE,” she concluded.