The Armenian Diocese in Georgia organized a visit to the Monk Andrew Children’s Cancer Recovery House in Tbilisi to bring festive mood to the children with cancer on the Old New Year. The visit was initiated by the Youth Department of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, with the support of the Diocesan Headquarters and the Hayartun Center. Charitable New Year gifts provided by the young activists of the Youth Department, the clergy and employees of the Diocese were complemented by boxes with different toys and hygiene items, donated by the Director of the Administrative Department of the Diocese, Karen Yeritsyan.

On January 13, 2016, a group of young people, headed by Valera Badalyan, in the company of volunteer Louisa Tamamayn and operator Gevorg Poghosov, made a visit to the Monk Andrew Children’s Cancer Recovery House to organize New Year celebration for 57 children with cancer.

Anna Badalyan, who hosts the Armenian “Moambe” News Program of Georgian First Channel, Santa Clause Emil Sarkisyan and the Snow Maiden Ani Hovhannisyan created a festive atmosphere for the children of the recovery house. Cheerful music and songs, joyful mood settled over the children between 2 to 19 years of age, who joined the celebration, sang songs and recited poems. Later the young visitor distributed the New Year gifts brought by Santa Clause and the Snow Maiden to the children.

The Children’s Cancer Recovery House was founded five years ago after the death of 17-year-old monk Andrew, thanks to the funds allocated by the ‘’Monk Andrew Charity Foundation’’, established by his parents. The house Headmistress Tinatin Chkhvimiani (Anrew’s mother) looks after the children with cancer till the end, in compliance with the last request of her only child. Everyone here calls Mts. Tinatin  “Mother”, because, like other volunteers involved in the recovery house’s work, they give children with cancer all their love and affection, trying to ease their pain.

The youth of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia brought joyful moments into the life of children with cancer. The Youth Department will pay visits to the children of recovery house on regular basis.