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People

Armenian People

Armenians are known for their great respect for family values, warmth and overall hospitality.

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Armenia Diaspora

Today, more Armenians live outside their country than in it. Three million live in Armenia; five million live elsewhere.

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Government

Armenia is a parliamentary democracy with a strong executive branch and a handful of leading political parties.

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Economy

Despite blockades from neighboring countries, Armenia’s struggling economy has seen some growth.

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Agriculture

Agriculture currently accounts for about 55 percent of employment in Armenia and 40 percent of the country’s GDP.

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Industries

Despite blockades from neighboring countries, Armenia’s struggling economy has seen some growth.

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Umud Hambardzumyan

Two years ago, Umud started to have problems with his eyes. It started with a cataract and then many other problems started to occur with his vision. As the complications mounted, the doctors had no choice but to remove his corneas. “It has been seven months since I was able to see at all. After doctors removed my corneas, my only hope for being able to see again was to wait for the corneal transplants. It is very hard to lose your sight all of a sudden. I have already started to forget the faces of my dear ones in my memory,” said Umud.

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In developing countries, it is believed that 60-80% of children who become blind die within 1-2 years.

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Myth: It is okay to swim while wearing soft contact lenses.

Fact: No, it is not okay to swim while wearing contact lenses. Serious or potentially blinding eye infections can result from swimming or even using a hot tub while wearing contact lenses.

Myth: Only boys are color-blind.

Fact: It's estimated that up to 8% of boys have some degree of color blindness, whereas less than 1% of girls do.

Myth: An eye examination is necessary only if you are having eye problems.

Fact: Everyone should follow proper eye care, including regular eye exams, whether or not you're having any noticeable signs of problems. Children should be tested at birth, at 6 months of age, before entering school and periodically throughout school years.

Armenian Flora & Fauna

The wide variety of climates in Armenia accounts for the array of flora and fauna that can be seen at different times of the year throughout the country. Armenia contains twice as many soil types as European Russia, so the climate, soil, and vegetation vary greatly throughout the nation. Many of the world’s bulbs originate in the Armenian Highland, and there is a great assortment of wild bulbs in the country.

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80% of all learning takes place visually in the first 12 years of life.

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Eye Professionals

Armenian Agriculture

Planned Giving FAQ

Ruzanna Harutyunyan, M.D.

“It gives me great happiness to be able to bring sight to a child,” Dr. Ruzanna Harutyunyan says, adding that correcting vision problems and treating eye disease is important at any age, but for children, it can be especially important. Harutyunyan, who’s a Pediatric Ophthalmologist and Chief of the Malayan Ophthalmologic Center Pediatric Clinic, talks more about her specialty.

“Children’s smiles. They are the very best thing about my job,” says Ruzanna Harutyunyan, Pediatric Ophthalmologist and Chief of the Malayan Ophthalmologic Center Pediatric Clinic.

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