Stanford and Harvard Students Join Hands in the Second Annual Fast For Armenia

The commemoration of the Armenian Genocide on April 24th holds a larger significance this year due to the 90-year anniversary of the atrocities committed by the Ottoman regime during World War I. As a sign of remembrance on this symbolic day, Fast For Armenia encourages Armenians across the globe to fast. The money that would be used to purchase food can then be donated to Fast For Armenia where donations will be used to provide textbooks and other necessities to schools in Armenia.

Former Stanford graduate students Chris Guzelian and Alex Vartan founded Fast For Armenia last year in hopes of enhancing education for the youth in Armenia. It has become a way of commemorating the fallen victims of 1915 as well as a productive plan to provide assistance to students, the future generation of the Armenian nation. In its first year alone, 53 students of Antarout village received a complete set of textbooks. Also, the libraries of Karakert Village have maps that the children can utilize for class projects.

This year the Stanford and Harvard Armenian Student Associations, with the help of students from numerous other ASAs across the US will continue the work and build upon the successes of last year. "By building a strong grassroots foundation in the next generation of Diaspora Armenians, Fast For Armenia believes it could exponentially impact and inspire the next generation of native Armenians," says Seepan Parseghian, president of the Stanford ASA and Fast For Armenia Executive Director. Christine Megerdichian, the president of the Harvard ASA and Eastern Region Director for FFA says, " It was so powerful. As soon as the idea was presented to us we knew we had to be a part of it." This year and next, more university ASAs across the nation and overseas are expected to join the effort, creating unbreakable bonds between Armenian students worldwide and making the plight of students in Armenia an important issue.

Fast For Armenia will deliver modern textbooks to Armenian students in regions where children have limited access to such materials. It will send desks to classrooms where three or four sit at a table for two; it will purchase books for libraries; and it will send other necessities to schools where funding is problematic. Ten dollars pays for a year's supply of textbooks for one child and thirty dollars pays for a desk and chairs for students. Thus, even a small donation provides a great many opportunities for Armenian children. Students' access to these resources will strengthen and promote their education.

Because education plays an important role in the future of any nation, strengthening the education system of Armenia is imperative. Those who receive the best education become the strongest and most capable leaders. Thus, participating in Fast For Armenia allows all Armenians to play an active role in creating a more stable and strong Armenia. On a personal level, fasting serves as a reminder of the pain and suffering incurred upon the victims of the massacres of 1915 and the drive to overcome the difficulties of the past and progress into a unified group. The project's success hopes to further motivate international aid organizations and donors to realize the importance of education in Armenia.

The Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America and the National Foundation for Science and Advanced Technology are tax exempt non profit organizations in the US and Armenia respectively, which facilitate the Students' efforts with transparent and accountable management of the funds.

Participants of Fast For Armenia can help by fasting, donating money, or volunteering time. Also, this year's program includes a wristband campaign. These wristbands, which say "Remember the Forgotten" on them, can be purchased in either black or red/blue/orange.

Be engaged and active; convince others, including non-Armenians to commemorate the memory of our Armenian ancestors and inspire a bright future for Armenia's children. Involve co-workers, schools, communities, churches, and social organizations to participate in the Fast For Armenia.

For more information and how to make donations and order the wristbands, visit www.fastforarmenia.org.

-- Annie Voskerchian