64 Karapet Ulnetsi Street, Yerevan, Armenia

Orran charity public organization

Orra, which translates to “shelter” in Armenian, was founded in April 2000 by Raffi and Armine Hovhannisyan in downtown Yerevan. Initially, the center began its journey with a group of 16 children. But soon, within six months, it expanded its reach to include more than 26 at-risk seniors and 40 socially vulnerable children. Some of these children were orphans and in need of support.

In 2009, thanks to our major benefactors Grigor and Anna Grigoryan, Orran extended its reach to the city of Vanadzor, establishing another vital center. Since then, our reach has continued to grow, currently providing shelter to 100 seniors and more than 300 children aged 6-16.

Orran’s impact reaches far beyond its walls. Through food packages, shoes, winter clothing, hygiene items, sleeping bags, baby formula and other essentials, Orran has helped 30,000 people to date. Orran’s apprenticeship program has successfully paired young people with skilled craftsmen, resulting in 300 graduates now earn their living using the skills they have acquired.

Declipse Armenia

The idea of establishing a Mountain Retreat emerged from the four-year experience within the Refugee Assistance Project by SconfinaMenti and Declipse Armenia for th Armenians of Artsakh, which primarily supported refugee communities in Yerevan and Vardenis, with additional one-time support initiatives addressing material needs of refugee families in Vayk and Aghveran.

This new project both dovetails with our previous efforts and aligns with our goal of decentralizing efforts to help more families forcefully displaced from Artsakh. We aim to establish a non-formal, extracurricular education center in the picturesque mountains of Arzakan, Kotayk province, Armenia.

The Mountain Retreat project represents a forward-thinking approach to tourism, environmental education, and community support.

By combining the beauty of the natural world with sustainable practices, this project aims to create a haven for relaxation, learning, and environmental stewardship while supporting families forcefully displaced from Artsakh.

We invite stakeholders and potential partners to join us in making this vision a reality, contributing to a healthier planet and a more informed and engaged society.