For the Sake of Victory: Children Join Nationwide Movement to Support the Army

Given the wartime situation, individual students and schools have joined the efforts to support the army on their own initiative. Many children from different regions of Armenia are making donations, generously giving both the money they have saved for years in their dream boxes and the profits from their small initiatives. This information was provided by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport.

Vahе from Armavir was one of the first to start helping soldiers by selling walnuts—100 drams for one walnut. For days after classes, the 6-year-old has been selling walnuts and donating the money to a foundation. Vahе's example has become contagious: little Anna, for instance, is making and selling plaster figures and bracelets. She says it is humiliating that money is given without taking the product in return.

Students from a school in Noravan community of Armavir have been selling masks to citizens for six days, contributing to both the rear and the front. The total amount from the sales was 1,766,500 drams, which has been donated to a foundation.

In the village of Metsavan in Lori region, little residents collected money and presented around 68,000 drams to the municipality to be sent to the foundation. Border residents have also stepped up to help. Ninth-grade students from the local secondary school in Nerkin Karmiraghbyur are selling tangerines at the initiative of their teachers. According to the students, many in the village have tangerine trees, and once the news spread, everyone was eager to help: “They said, ‘How much do you need? Come and pick!’”

Ten-year-old Tina replaced her dream of having a bicycle with the anticipation of victory, donating 51,500 drams to the foundation. Her sister, 11-year-old Sona, joined her with a donation of 71,800 drams. Their dream now is not a bicycle but rather a helicopter to be bought for the army with their small contribution. Sisters Elen and Meri have also chosen to donate the money they saved for skateboards and dolls to the foundation—for the sake of peace and carefree childhood.

Mher had been saving for two years to see Egypt, but with his accumulated funds, he stood by his older friends. Guitar-playing brothers are also performing for passersby and donating the proceeds to the army. Thirteen-year-old Areg, who studies in a private school, is also by the side of the Armenian army and has donated the entire 250,000 drams scholarship he received for his high academic performance to the foundation. Many children are also supporting the rear with their work, helping their parents and older friends. Some are participating in the production of power converters for the army.