ANDREY – 5/4/2023

The Prelacy’s Orphan Sponsorship program, established in 1993, remains the centerpiece of the Prelacy’s mission in Armenia and Artsakh. We are pleased to share some of the letters that children regularly address to their sponsors.   

This week’s letter, written by his mother on his behalf, is from Andrey,* who is sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Hagop Khatchadourian.  

* We use only the first names of the children to protect their privacy. 

Dear Sponsor, 

Andrey Jr. was born on June 8, 2021, a child who justified my existence and gave meaning to my life… and who is my biggest and strongest life-support.  

On September 27, 2020, the disaster of our lives started. On October 7, I learned that we are expecting our second child. I remember how impatient I felt to announce that happy news to Andrey (Sr.). However, Andrey being a very serious and dedicated intelligence officer, was calling home at big intervals. The evening he called and I told him the news, he stopped talking for a moment as though he couldn’t believe it… then he yelled happily and stopped right away… it was war… 

On November 7, 2020, we received the news. Little Andrey was born without having to meet his father, his care and love… 

We live in Stepanakert. After the war, we decided to go back to our country, the country for which Andrey sacrificed his life and our family – the most valuable thing we had… 

It is 2023 now and Artsakh has been in blockade for 80 days now [Editor’s note: Artsakh has been blockaded by Azerbaijan since December 12, 2022, so at the time of publication it adds up to almost twice as many days]. For 80 days we are deprived of everything, for 80 days we cannot leave for our mother Armenia to visit Yerablur, and I am not even talking about my children being deprived of adequate food. But we stand in the name of our fallen heroes… 

Little Andrey and Gabriela live in their own world. I, their mother, do my best so that they grow up in a wholesome family. Andrey can already say “daddy” – his sister taught him that. When time comes, they will learn about the heroic deeds of their father. 

Finally, I want to thank you for being at our side.