Orran Information

Orran, meaning "haven" in Armenian, was established in downtown Yerevan in April 2000. The center started with 16 children, but within six months, it had grown to embrace more than 26 at-risk elderly and 40 socially vulnerable children, some of whom were orphans. In 2009, another Orran center was established in the city of Vanadzor named after its major benefactors Krikor and Anna Krikorian. The number of our beneficiaries keeps increasing. Today, we have 100 elderly and 230 children, with ages ranging from five to sixteen years. Since its inception, Orran has helped thousands of families in need, all over Armenia and in Artsakh. Orran's mission is to: Divert vulnerable children from the streets and engage them in academic, cultural, and extra-curricular activities Fight the concept of beggar children as the principal breadwinners of their families Identify and develop vulnerable children's interests and talents toward a working career Help families "in crisis" Assist the lonely and needy elderly Prevent the spread of destitution and begging among Armenia's children and elderly To accomplish this mission, the staff at the Centers provide the children and elderly with the following services: Food Prior to the arrival of the children, the elderly receive a nutritious lunch at the centers six days per week and socialize with one another and the staff during this time. he children walk or take the bus to the centers after school where they have a homemade meal consisting of soup or salad, a hot, nutritious main course and dessert. In preparing the menus, the staff nurses ensure that the children are receiving well-balanced meals six days per week. The children look forward to eating the delicious food prepared by the dedicated and talented Chief Cooks and her their assistants.