Bestselling writer, Chris Bohjalian, presents his upcoming novel, “The Guest Room,” at “Mer Doon”

ECHMIADZIN — During his most recent visit to Armenia, internationally acclaimed novelist Chris Bohjalian visited “Mer Doon”, a home for orphaned and disadvantaged young women who have aged out of Armenia’s orphanage system.  Bohjalian, the author of 10 New York Times bestsellers, including “The Sandcastle Girls,” was excited to meet the residents of “Mer Doon” to learn about their experiences in Armenia’s orphanage system.

Bohjalian and the girls engaged in a dynamic exchange of questions and answers in a round table discussion.  Each resident introduced herself and related interesting and heartfelt life experiences.  Bohjalian explained that storyline of “The Guest Room” was inspired by a trip to Armenia with his wife and daughter where they witnessed the plight of girls who are living on the streets and vulnerable to trafficking. The novel’s main characters are two 19-year-old girls from Armenia, who are abducted as teenagers, held captive as sex slaves in Russia throughout their adolescence, and then brought to New York City where the captors force them into the sex trade.

Bohjalian shared, “I was so impressed by the young women I met at Mer Doon and so moved by their stories. These are smart, courageous, remarkable young people. And I was so honored to glimpse the incredible work of ‘Mer Doon’. It is a home, with all that word connotes, and it is changing lives in meaningful and important ways.”

Author Chris Bohjalian enjoys a round table discussion with the girls at “Mer Doon”.

The International Labor Organization reports staggering statistics about global human trafficking. For example, human trafficking is a $150 billion dollar industry.  The ILO estimates 4.5 million people were forced into sexual exploitation globally in 2014.

According to the U.S. State Department, perhaps three-quarters of a million people are trafficked across international borders every year – and there are the millions trafficked within their own countries.

About two million children every year are exploited in the global commercial sex trade.

Women and girls make up 98 percent of victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation.

“Mer Doon” answers the serious need for intervention for vulnerable girls in Armenia.  The residents at “Mer Doon” are taught strength, self-awareness, and confidence.  They learn to raise their voices against oppression, abuse and gender inequality. “Mer Doon” provides a safe and trusted place to grow.

“The Guest Room” goes on sale in the United States on January 5, 2016.  It has already received high praise by being named an Indiebound Indie Next Selection.

“Mer Doon” provides orphaned and disadvantaged young women (ages 18-24) a loving and nurturing place to call “home.”  Our mission is to educate and empower them with skills to live independently in mainstream society.  The organization’s Co-Founder and Executive Director, Tigranuhi Karapetyan, manages the daily operations of the program.

“Mer Doon” is located in Echmiadzin, Armenia.  It is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the State of Connecticut and a nongovernmental organization registered in the Republic of Armenia.  Tax-deductible donations can be made by going to www.Mer-Doon.com and clicking on “Donate”.  For information, please email merdoonarmenia@gmail.com.