Two villages will have medical care, thanks to WHS Armenian Club

The Armenian Club at Watertown High School held a fund-raiser in February and raised enough money to buy medical supplies and pay for doctors to go to two remote villages in Armenia this summer.

Last year, the Armenian Club was successful in supplying medical care to one village, but because we have been able to raise more money this year, we are able to meet the medical needs of two villages this time. The money raised goes to paying doctors to examine each and every villager in both physical and mental examinations, supplying medication as needed, using portable X-ray machines, and conducting lab tests.

In March, the Armenian Club participated in the annual SPEAK week activities held in the cafeteria. Students were able to look at Armenian art, listen to Armenian music, participate in an “Armenia Knowledge” quiz, and sign their names to a poster calling for international recognition of the 1915 Armenian Genocide.

This month, the club members, as well as the Armenian-language class students, have put up posters in the lobby to commemorate the 99th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. One wall displays all those countries which have officially recognized the occurrence of the genocide.  Another wall is covered with the contributions of Armenians to the arts, sciences, education, mathematics, etc. It is called the “Armenian Wall of Fame” and honors those inventions and contributions, but also makes a statement, asking how many more inventions and contributions would have been made if more than 1.5 million Armenians had not been massacred in the genocide.

The club plans on continuing its fund-raising efforts and in promoting awareness about Armenian culture and identity. If you would like to be involved in the club, please see the club advisor, Sonia Tamakian, in Room 335.  All WHS students are welcome to join.

–April 11, 2014–