The mistress of a house full of miracles․ Lilia Abrahamyan

It was the third day of the 44-day Artsakh war, when Lilia and a few friends applied to the Lori regional administration. Thus, with the support of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, a coordinating group was set up to support the soldiers serving on the front lines.

When it became clear that the issue of long-term residence had to be resolved for the Artsakh people who took refuge in the Lori region, at the suggestion of the RA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the Artsakhis first took refuge in the Child and Family Support Center headed by Lilia, then in the building of the liquidated orphanage in Vanadzor.

 Lilia says that there were many lonely elderly people in her apartment, who were more depressed and desperate. The first miracle of the residence was the wedding of two of them. The elderly couple, who met in the dormitory, fell in love and got married right there. Dozens of people responded to Lilia’s Facebook post about the wedding in a matter of hours: one presented the bride’s veil, the other  – the holiday cake, the third one – the bride’s dress.

The former director of the orphanage knows very well that children should be kept away from the horrors of war and a lot of worries, that is why all the holidays are celebrated in her residence – birthdays, New Year, Easter, etc. Residents of the apartment work in the kitchen․

Initially, about 150 people lived in the dwelling. Solving the problem of their daily food sometimes created difficulties. That is why Lilia decided that all the issues that can be solved on the spot should be solved. She bought a flour and oven. After that, the bread for the residents of the shelter is baked on the spot. Lilia says that if it turns out that the shelter will have to carry out its activities for a long time, they will start thinking about small business projects. Lilia is convinced that living with the support of the state or benefactors is not the right decision․ Dwellers must learn to make money․

Another miracle that happened in the shelter was the birth of the nephew of one of the dead soldiers, who was named after his uncle ․

Lilia says she feels happy in the shelter, the only thing she regrets is the lack of contact with her children.

Lilia involved the young people of Artsakh living in the shelter in volunteer work. She is convinced that work is the best way to heal.

Today, the people of Artsakh who have no place to return continue to live in the shelter, as well as some elderly people living in Stepanakert who need round-the-clock care. Lilia says that as long as the shelter has supporters, it will function, easing the worries of the people of Artsakh who lost their homes.

Full text in Armenian