ArmInfo.The idea of creating a "4090 Charity" Foundation, which symbolizes the highest peak of Mount Aragats, arose immediately after the 44-day Artsakh war.
The five friends rallied around a sincere desire to help war veterans adapt to social life and have a chance for a decent future through education after the upheavals they experienced. The Foundation decided to take on the task of educating war veterans, identifying it as "the best weapon to change their lives and the lives of those around them."
However, no matter how pure and necessary the intentions are, outside support is always required, including from partners and patrons. Araratbank was one of the first to join the "4090 Charity" Foundation as a partner and friend, which, within the framework of corporate social responsibility programs, attaches particular importance to the development of education in the country.
On November 20, with the Bank's support, a concert was held by the Armenian Symphony Orchestra "Symphonic Mansuryan" in Yerevan at the Aram Khachatryan Concert Hall, which performed the works of maestro Tigran Mansuryan, written for Armenian films of the Soviet era, which are of special value to this day.
Mansuryan's music was accompanied by video episodes from the favorite films of "Armenfilm". The composer himself honored the event with his presence. Executive Director and Chairman of the Management Board of Araratbank Mher Ananyan noted that it is a great pleasure for the Bank to participate in such programs. "I always avoid the word <charity> in such cases, we just feel more accomplished when we participate in events of this kind, and we see people who, despite their still very young age, have gone through great trials, and after that they make efforts to become wealthier members of society," he stressed.
Mher Ananyan drew attention to the fact that banks should not only provide financial support, but also help bring together people who create values and their holders, which will help to educate good people, citizens and society. He called the composer Tigran Mansuryan a person who forms values, who, according to him, is the standard of human values, the image of an Armenian, and patriotism. <Our work is small. it consists in facilitating the transition of young people to "Mansuryan values". We are living in difficult times, and at this moment the most important thing is the formation of the right value system, the right person and citizen. And we all have to do this together," stressed the head of Araratbank, noting that without general cohesion, financial resources, human qualities, positive emotions and impulses have no value.
In turn, Executive Director of the "4090 Charity" Foundation, Irina Pahlevanyan, said that the organization took its first steps with 27 beneficiaries, collaborating with 9 universities, and today the Foundation helps 60 young guys who participated in the wars to receive education in 17 universities of the country. He noted that most of these young people were educated in medical and technological specializations, but there are also economists, historians, musicians, radio physicists, etc.. "Our goal is to change the quality of life of our fellow war veterans through education. It is very important for us that they live a decent life in their homeland>, Pahlevanyan emphasized.
She also said that in addition to financial assistance in obtaining education, beneficiaries go through several stages of recovery. Moreover, lectures and trainings are held within the community with the participation of experts, including international ones. The Foundation also creates a platform for communication with people who have achieved success, which inspires young people to create a worthy future for themselves and their loved ones.
"But for us the most important thing is to help the guys lead a responsible lifestyle, because education is not always the key to being a good person, citizen, member of society," Pahlevanyan noted.
The Director of the Foundation said that when choosing beneficiaries, in addition to participation in the war, the social status of the latter, the financial component, health status, and aspirations are also taken into account, while the average qualification score should be above average. The beneficiaries are also required to actively participate in lectures, seminars organized within the Foundation, and volunteer. <Our goal is that in 5 years we will not be needed. Let there be no war, war participants, veterans and those who have the status of such a beneficiary," she said.
In this regard, Irina Pahlevanyan noted that next year the Foundation plans to actively conduct lectures, seminars, master classes for beneficiaries with the participation of highly qualified specialists within the Organization; to establish a platform for career guidance in 2025; those who entered the university this year will graduate from the bachelor's degree in 2026, and by 2028 the Foundation strives to become an educational fund with endowment capital, which will carry out larger programs and research. She also said that the Foundation also holds events outside of Armenia, in particular in Moscow, Doha, Los Angeles, in order to attract the potential of the Diaspora to work.
It should be noted that before the concert of Symphonic Mansuryan, the participants of the 44-day Artsakh war climbed the stage, and as a sign of respect and gratitude, the Yerevan public stood and greeted them with non-stop applause.
It was noted that all proceeds from the concert will be transferred to the "4090 Charity" Foundation.