In 2004, a handful of Armenian students from Stanford University embarked upon an ambitious program to supply schools in the remote villages of Armenia with the basic supplies they need to educate Armenia’s future. They were inspired by the promise their grandparents and great grandparents, survivors of the Armenian genocide in the Ottoman empire in 1915, made to their perished families to create a new Armenian nation, empowered with knowledge and the tenacious desire to excel.

The pilot program called on people around the world to fast on April 24 and donate the money they would have spent on food to Fast For Armenia. This money would then buy school supplies for students in Armenia. In its first year, Fast For Armenia used the raised funds to provide textbooks and opportunities for the children in two schools in the Aragatsotn and Karakert regions of Armenia.

The response from the Armenian and non-Armenian international community was overwhelmingly positive. This year students from Harvard University and Crescenta Valley High School in Los Angeles joined the Stanford Armenian Students Association generating innovative ideas to do even more. They inspired fellow students not only to fast on April 24 but also to buy the commemorative tri color wristbands marked with the words “Remember the Forgotten.” This phrase asks us to remember not only those who were annihilated in the 1915 Armenian Genocide carried out by the Ottoman Turks, but also the Armenians who narrowly escaped annihilation by Azerbaijan from 1988 to 1990, and are currently living in the remote border villages of Armenia. This effort by university and high school students became an international cause, garnering support from people all over the world who donated and purchased wristbands to provide a tangible solution to Armenia’s tragic past and vulnerable present.

Because of the great outpouring in 2005, Fast For Armenia supported seven village schools with textbooks, desks, and laboratory and gym equipment totaling $11,700. These schools include those in the border villages of Akhbradzor and Vanevan in the Vartenis region in the north east, the Antarout village on Mt. Aragats, the Shvani Dzor school near the southern border of Meghri, the Vaghatur school on the south east border near Goris, the Vaghatin school in the south west border near Sisian, and the special art school in Sisian. All together over 900 students in Armenia benefited this year from the international effort of Fast For Armenia. The gratitude and excitement that these children express for the support extended to them by the international community through Fast For Armenia is truly rewarding and inspiring. We invite our friends and patrons to visit these remote villages during their trips to Armenia and to experience the contagious excitement that radiates from the children.

Next year Fast For Armenia will continue with even more intensity, incorporating other university student organizations who will accept this vision as their own, and inspire people all over the world to fast on April 24, purchase the tri color “Remember the Forgotten” wristbands, and make donations for Armenia’s future. Next year Fast for Armenia hopes to complete the needs of the currently selected schools and reach out to more schools in Armenia and Artsakh. In addition to textbooks, desks, chalkboards, and laboratory equipment, the program will also purchase other necessities for less fortunate children in the remote regions of Armenia to promote the academic advancement.

Two non-profit, tax-deductible organizations, Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America and the National Foundation for Science and Advanced Technology in Armenia have joined forces with Fast for Armenia to provide outstanding administrative service. For more information on Fast for Armenia, to make donations, or to purchase our tri color wristbands visit www.fastforarmenia.org

Please join us in this amazing effort to open doors and invest in the future of Armenia.