The Armenian Caritas benevolent organization opened a new center for children with multiple disabilities in Gyumri on September 26.

Present at the opening ceremony for the Emil’s Sun center were Armenian Caritas Executive Board President Archbishop Raphael Minassian; Germany’s Ambassador to Armenia, Matthias Kiesler; Governor of the Austrian province of Volralberg, Johannes Rauch; and Donatus Koeck, Deputy Director for European Integration and Foreign Affairs of the Federal Ministry of Austria. Representatives from a number of Armenian civic, health and cultural organizations were also present.

Work on the center, unique in Armenia, started in October 2013. Forty children are now being treated at the center via physiotherapy, art therapy, music therapy, and others. Center Director Tigranouhie Hakobyan told Hetq that the premises can accommodate up to 80 children.

A majority of the center’s funding was from Emil Nakhbaver, who was disabled in a car accident forty years ago. Mr. Nakhbaver couldn’t make the ceremony and was represented by his daughter Gudru Urban Nakhbaver. The center is named after its prime supporter.

Gudru Urban

In his letter, read by his daughter, Emil Nakhbaver wrote: “After an automobile accident I was paralyzed and forced to learn to live again. But I was lucky since there were many helpful people around me. I became more sensitive after becoming disabled and was able to see the needs of others. By the grace of God I have the capability now to lend a helping hand. The possibility of helping others gave my life new meaning. Naming this center after me is an extremely great honor for me, but it, of course, makes me happy.”

1st left – German Ambassador to Armenia Matthias Kiesler

The German government allocated one-third of the center’s financing. Ambassador Kiesler, who came to the center’s opening with his wife and son, just a few months old, said that he was impressed with what he saw, especially the solar powered water heating system.

Archbishop Raphael Minassian

The Emil Sun Center, which occupies three hectares of land in Gymri’s Ani neighborhood, generates more energy than it consumes. Armenia’s largest photo-voltaic station has been installed on the building’s roof. The sun’s energy is transformed into electricity. Water is pumped from a well 100 meters deep into the ground.