SYDNEY: The Armenian Missionary Association of Australia (AMA-Australia) has raised $35,000 for Shogh Day Centres in Armenia and Artsakh.

AMA-Australia set a goal in 2019 to raise funds to support the AMAA's "Shogh" Educational Day Care Centres in Armenia and Artsakh, which provide provisional services for underprivileged children. The Centres – located in Gyumri, Vanadzor and Yerevan in Armenia and Askeran and Shushi in Artsakh – support children 6-12 years old who are living in socially underserved families, providing them a safe environment during parents’ working hours. The main objectives of the Centres are to help these children overcome educational difficulties, grow personally and become part of an educated and healthy society.

AMAA Representative in Armenia, Harout Nercessian was invited to Australia to share this important work done with the children in these Centres and in their communities.

On Sunday March 24, Mr. Nercessian spoke at St. Andrew’s Uniting Church of Longueville to a combined Worship Service with Lane Cove Uniting Church, where he delivered the message and made a presentation about the Association’s work in Armenia and Artsakh. A Lawn Bowls Fundraising event followed the Worship Service at the Longueville Sports Club. This unique event was the first in a series of events organized for this year’s AMA-Australia Week, which was well attended by young people and enjoyed by all.

Later that afternoon, a cultural event was held at Longueville St. Andrew’s Uniting Church, featuring the Zela Margossian Quintet. Their amazing ethno-jazz performance with a taste of Armenian traditional music was greatly appreciated by all. The group donated all proceeds from the Concert to the "Shogh" Educational Day Care Centres.

The opening of a Photography Exhibition followed the Concert in the Church’s War Memorial Hall, where Raffi Elejian, a recent arrival from Aleppo, Syria, exhibited his photos. The Exhibition was opened by the past President of Uniting Church of Australia (UCA), Stuart McMillan and was open throughout the following week.

On Tuesday March 26, Manvel Saribekyan's documentary movie “Map of Salvation", about five young European Missionaries who were witnesses to the Armenian Genocide and subsequently founded shelters for Armenian children and women, was screened at St. Andrew’s Uniting Church War Memorial Hall.

On Sunday, March 31, the AMA-Australia Sunday Worship and Praise Service was held at the Armenian Evangelical Church of Sydney in Willoughby. Many dignitaries, UCA clergy, politicians and representatives of Armenian organisations were present. The Service was led by Rev. Hagop Sarkissian, Church Minister. AMA-Australia President and Executive Director Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian offered the prayer and brought greetings on behalf of the Association. Mr. Nercessian brought the message based on Luke 12:13-21 "The Parable of the Rich Fool".

He also gave a report on the inspiring work that is done for children in the "Shogh" Centres and the amazingly transforming impact that has been achieved in their lives and in their families, all for the glory of God. During the Service, talented and famous opera singer Natalie Aroyan performed an aria by Pucini, accompanied by talented pianist Alex Sahagian. At the conclusion of the Service, UCA President Dr. Dierdre Palmer offered prayer, led the Lord's Prayer Hyre Mer and gave the Benediction.

Following the Service, the AMA-Australia Annual Luncheon was held at St. Andrew’s Uniting Church War Memorial Hall. The Luncheon was well attended and included politicians and UCA leaders. All enjoyed the delicious food and the wonderful entertainment provided by the Lane Cove Delta Jazz Band, led by David Cant, a member of St. Andrew’s Uniting Church. Rev. Dr. Youmshajekian presented a brief audio-visual report about last year’s AMAA Centenary Fundraising for the Artsakh Kindergartens and the completion of the renovations. He made an appeal to continue their support to the AMAA’s projects, especially this year’s fundraising for the “Shogh” Day Centres, including the Sponsorship programs. Mr. Nercessian outlined the work done with disadvantaged children in these Centres. Some beautiful handicrafts, made by the children of “Shogh” Centres, and the bilingual New Testaments were available for purchase.

With the generous donations of supporters throughout the week-long activities, $35,000 Australian dollars net was raised for the “Shogh” Educational Day Care Centres in Armenia and Artsakh.

During his stay in Australia, Mr. Nercessian also spoke at the Armenian Evangelical Church Ladies Group Worship Service and visited the Armenian Day Schools of AGBU Alexander School and Hamazkaine Galstaun College.

Officially established in 1991 as an independent charitable organisation, AMA-Australia is a sister Association of the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA). AMA-Australia is the brainchild of the former AMAA Executive Director, the late Rev. Dr. Movses Janbazian, who unfortunately didn't see its fruition. It pursues the same aims as the AMAA, serving the religious, educational and social needs of Armenian communities in the Homeland and Diaspora.