Karine Muradyan. “At some point we realized that our pain will be relieved a little if we unite” 

The “Eternal” social-charitable non-governmental organization has been operating in Yerevan for several months now, with the aim of supporting mothers with children during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict escalation, as well as other previous hostilities. “Eternal” NGO also has another important function: to unite the families of the dead, seriously injured and missing servicemen, trying to help them overcome the difficult phase of their lives, to alleviate the severe consequences of the war. The organization was founded by the mothers of servicemen killed during the  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict escalation, and was initiated by Karine Muradyan, who also lost her son, Vahe Yeghikyan, in that war.

Today, a year after the war, it seems that we know all the heroes by name. Albert, David, Narek, Rafael, who went to the war voluntarily and did not return, and many others who look at the pictures and smile, keeping their unfulfilled dreams in their minds and hearts. 19-year-old Vahe Yeghikyan born on Victory Day  sacrificed  his life. In a conversation with WomenNet.am, Vahe’s mother, Karine Muradyan, says that her son was expected  to return home in a few months…

The mother says that during the 25 days of her son’s search, she was petrified to the extent  that she could not even cry, but she was eager to talk to someone and try to help them. Even today, in the days full of relentless bitterness, it is Vahe who gives her the strength not only to live, to be strong, but also to help people, that was his son’s mission, the goal in life today she is obliged to fulfill…

“Vahe wanted to be involved in public activities after military service, he wanted to help me in our business, he had different plans. But life had its plans “.

For many parents, sisters and wives, Yerablur, which unfortunately continues to expand into  new territories a year after the war, has become a second home. It is crowded here at any time of the day, the incense smells always. Every time she visited Yerablur, Mrs. Karine tried to approach other mothers and daughters, to alleviate their grief, despite she was in the same situation. And one day the idea of the “Eternal” initiative was born in Yerablur…

“At some point we realized that our pain will be relieved a little if we get acquainted and unite. We believe that people with the same pain understand each other best, find the right ways to help each other. I am sure that we can pass on the love and warmth that our sons and spouses did not give to other people who need it today” says Mrs. Muradyan.

Today, Eternal brings together more than 200 mothers and wives who lost loved ones in the  result of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict escalation. 

The organization started its activities through meetings, during which people got acquainted with each other, shared the pain and emotions that united everyone. Then the meetings became regular, which is understandable: the birthdays of the heroic martyrs, the days of remembrance, the mothers gave each other strength and went through that path of remembrance. Over the past few months, mothers have had many meetings, including with psychologists. Ms. Muradyan says that “Eternal” is able to fully serve the goal it has set for itself since its inception – to help and support.

One day it turned out that their experience inspired the Yerevan Municipality, as a result of which 13 mothers and daughters of the “Eternal” NGO started working in different communities of Yerevan as equal counselors to social workers in September.

The program is still a pilot, it depends on the results achieved  by the end of the year, whether the Yerevan Municipality will continue to finance it or not, but it is clear. “Eternal” NGO has its way! The memory of the heroes is eternal. Helping each other in difficult moments of life is an eternal mission…

Lia Khojoyan

Full text in Armenian