Vahe’s Story
Vahe’s dream of becoming a professional singer CAN come true with aecp’s support
An aspiring singer, Vahe Poghosyan has dreamt of becoming a professional vocalist his entire life because singing was his passion and a way of expressing his emotions. Vahe’s strong beautiful voice is captivating to hear as he sings “Krounk” by Komitas. After getting married and welcoming his daughter, Vahe finally decided that it was time to take serious steps towards becoming a professional singer and started taking vocal lessons.
His plans were cut short by the war that broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2020. As many of his friends, Vahe volunteered to join the Armenian army to protect his homeland. He was sent to the border, an area that was constantly under heavy attacks by the enemy. During one of these attacks, a rocket hit the truck Vahe was riding in along with his fellow soldiers. Fourteen Armenian fighters were killed on that day, and only three of them survived, including Vahe.
“I was covered in blood,” – remembers Vahe. “I couldn’t see anything as there was shrapnel in both of my eyes.” Vahe spent the next eight and a half terrifying hours lying on the battlefield, bleeding and unable to see, until it was possible to rescue him. With only a few minutes left to live, Vahe was rescued and rushed to a hospital in Yerevan, the capital, where he was treated for almost a month. His eyesight was gone and all he could see was a bit of light. Vahe thought he was going to be blind for the rest of his life. After escaping one traumatic experience of going through the war and losing his friends, Vahe was going through another ordeal, thinking he would never be able to see again. The thoughts about his singing career were vanishing quickly.
“I remember so vividly the effects of the first Karabakh war in Armenia,” – recalls Dr. Roger Ohanesian, the Founder and President of the AECP. “It was the unrest during that time that led to the beginning of the Armenian EyeCare Project. Now, thirty years later, I am happy to say that because of the AECP’s emphasis on medical education and training, doctors in Armenia are capable of performing complex surgeries and offering top of the line eyecare to their countrymen.”
Dr. Georgi Grigoryan, one of the AECP fellows, successfully performed two complex surgeries on Vahe’s eye, removing the shrapnel and replacing the lens, which allowed Vahe to see again. “I can see my daughter’s beautiful smile now,” – says Vahe with immense gratitude. After regaining his sight, life has drastically improved for Vahe as he is now able to work, drive a car and earn his living.
“I am deeply grateful to all the donors of the AECP for saving my sight and allowing me to see again, to raise my child, to grow my family and to reach all my dreams,” – says Vahe with a smile.
As Vahe walks up the hill to Yerablur, the burial site of Armenian soldiers who died protecting their homeland, the song praising the bravery of his fallen friends can be heard far and loud. Vahe’s lifelong dream of becoming a singer can come true with the help of the AECP doctors and donors.
