My Story

Qajik Melkumian: I was born on August 17, 2010, in Goris, Syunik province. My hair and eyes are black. I'm in the 9th grade. My favorite subject is Physical Education. I attend our local Evangelical church and am part of the local youth group. I have schizophrenia. My father, Armen, is a seasonal worker. He has problems with his joints. My mother, Hermine, abandoned us in 2020. My father remarried after that. My stepmother's name is Gayane. I have a 9-year-old sister, Taguhi, and a 17-year-old brother, Zhora. Our guardian is our father. My grandmother, Gyulnizar, also lives with us. Our income is not enough to care for our needs. It includes my father's salary, my grandmother's pension, and my medical pension. We live in a four-room apartment in a state-owned building, which is in urgent need of renovation. The roof is leaking. Communal facilities are available, but also need renovation. The apartment is connected to the gas supply, but heating is provided with wood. There is furniture, most of which is old and worn out. With your assistance, we care for our basic needs. (6-191; update)

New* Qajik is a very active and restless child. He has little interest in studying and receives only barely satisfactory grades. Qajik is enrolled in the state inclusive education system. He enjoys playing with his sister and brother.