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About Armenia

Traditions & Holidays

Armenians celebrate their rich heritage and cultural traditions with a level of hospitality unseen by most Westerners.

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People

Armenian, a country of three million people, is characterized by a high degree of ethnic homogeneity.

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History

Armenia is bursting with historical and religious magnificence and is known as the “cradle of civilization.”

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Culture

At the very heart of Armenia’s identity is her unique historical and religious story told through brilliant art and music.

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Geography

Armenia is located in the Caucuses and was first to declare independence from former Soviet Republics in 1991.

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Armenia Quick Facts

  • Armenia is well known for its Cognac
  • Armenia is home to the world’s longest non-stop double track cable car
  • In Armenia, ‘Merci’ is an acceptable form of ‘Thank You’
  • The country’s national symbol is Mt. Ararat
  • Armenia shares borders with Iran, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Nakhchivan
  • Armenia is rumored to be the first to adopt Christianity in 301 A.D.
  • Armenia reportedly has the world’s best apricots

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Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the middle and low income countries.

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Which of the Middle Circles Looks Bigger?

How Many Legs Does This Elephant Have?

Is the Checkerboard Straight?

The Trend

It all started two summers ago, when Mrs. Donna Evans, the wife of former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, visited the 10th century renowned Armenian Monastery of Sanahin in Lori region. A child, playing in the courtyard, caught Mrs. Evans’ attention.

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The leading cause of blindness in children is EYE INJURY and 75% of injuries happen when no adult is present.

Most of these injuries can be prevented by using proper
eye protection and following safety precautions.

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Macular Degeneration

Eye Professionals

Cataract Vision

Refractive Disorders

Refractive disorders affect the cornea and the way we see. Our eyes are very much like the way a camera takes a photograph – the refractive process. The cornea and lens in your eye act as the camera lens and the retina is similar to the film. The image that your retina “sees” goes to your brain, which tells you what the image is. The cornea bends, or refracts, light on the retina enabling us to see. When the curve of the cornea is irregularly shaped, the cornea bends light imperfectly on the retina. This is what causes a refractive error and affects your vision — myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

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Hyperopia or farsightedness is a common vision problem affecting about 25% of the population.

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Myth: Reading fine print for too long will wear out or damage your eyes.

Fact: This is one of the most widely held myths about vision. Some people are concerned that they should not read too much because it will wear out their eyes. Although extensive or prolonged reading of fine print can cause eye strain, there is no evidence to suggest that it will damage or wear out your eyes.

Myth: Using a nightlight in your child's room will contribute to nearsightedness.

Fact: There is not enough evidence to support this claim. Keeping a nightlight on in your baby's room may actually help them learn to focus and develop important eye coordination skills when they are awake.

Myth: If you need glasses, your eyes are not healthy.

Fact: Wearing eyeglasses has nothing to do with eye health, but with normal changes in parts of your eyes.

Lucik's Story

Lucik Yeritsyan lives with her family in a house on the outskirts of Artsvaberd, a small village in the Tavush marz. The house has one living room, one bedroom, a kitchen and a corridor where Lucik lives. The wooden stove is in the corridor next to Lucik’s bed. In the one-bedroom house — with a small orchard, a vegetable plot and a few sheep and hens, eight other people live with Lucik. They include her husband, Armen; son and daughter-inlaw Ashot and Maro; and five grandchildren- age five through 16.

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WHERE WE WORK