18 year-old Narek Tovmasyan, a student at Yerevan State University’s Department of Psychics, has been accepted at Stanford University in the U.S.; one of the top colleges in the world. However, tuition costs at the prestigious school top the scales at $50,000 per year. Due to the efforts of the “Ayb” Foundation, Narek has found a network of friends, who are ready to cover the tuition costs for the young student since they realize how important it would be for the boy to continue his studies at Stanford.

There is one problem that remains however. Narek doesn’t have the 8.5 million drams in cash, nor property of equivalent value, to pay the pledge/guarantee which RoA legislation demands before travelling abroad.

Government requires 8.5 million pledge from those of military age

18 year-old Narek still hasn’t served in the Armenian military and the pledge is sought for this reason; ostensibly to oblige him to return. Narek states that he is willing to serve in the army. “I won’t be staying in the U.S. All my relatives are here. I do my service after finishing my education. I believe that what I learn could be of benefit to the Armenian Army. For example, I and my brother could design weapons.” “I want to start something new for Armenia, to change things for the better. And I can do this only if I participate in modern scientific discourse. This is the reason why I wish to go to the U.S. to continue my studies,” Narek says.

Narek’s brother says, “I’ll pledge myself”

The boy’s family says that it is ready to put up their house and property in the village of Metz Masrik in the Vardenis district as a guarantee. But even this is nowhere near the 8.5 million drams needed. “We are ready to pledge all that we own on this earth; down to the last cup and saucer. Combined, however, all we own is worth about 4 million drams,” says Narek’s 19 year-old brother Mourad, adding, “I’ll even pledge myself, just as long as my brother gets an education.” Mourad is concerned that they won’t accept the family’s village property as a pledge. “If a guy is very smart and gets accepted to a foreign college but doesn’t have the 8.5 million in property, does it mean that he’s not entitled to an education? All our relatives in the village are prepared to put up their land as a guarantor. But it’s possible that they won’t accept it.” Narek is hopeful that by the start of the new school year, sponsors will come forward to assist in solving this matter. “Rest assured that my brother will not disappoint anyone who helps us. I am convinced that Narek has a lot to offer our country in the future. If people help him today, Narek will do the same for others like him tomorrow,” Mourad says. Stanford University wasn’t the only school that Narek was accepted at. Last year, he past entrance exams for colleges in Texas, New York and Boston but the death of his father in a car accident prevented him from leaving Armenia.

From the village of Metz Masrik to Stanford University

Narek’s family moved to Yerevan from the village of Metz Masrik in 2003. The boys needed more than the local educational system could offer. My brother and I took exams and won the right to attend the “Kvant” academy for free. That’s why we moved to Yerevan,” Narek relates. He and Mourad have participated in and won numerous Armenian and international competitions in the fields of general knowledge, mathematics, astronomy, geography and biology.

Mother gives up being a doctor to sell fruits and vegetables

Silva, the boy’s 50 year-old mother, pulls out all the stops to keep the family going and to see that her boys get the best education possible. “At night, I go to buy fruits and vegetables and then resell them at the market at the train station in order to make ends meet. The boys help me out quite a bit but they often just don’t have the time to spare. That’s just fine. What’s important is getting an education,” the mother says. The youngest in the family is 12 year-old Nayiri who wants to become a doctor when she grows up; just like her mom. “I worked as a doctor in the village; also in Yerevan. But I always was paid late and I have to pay the rent on the 15th of every month. That’s why I stopped practicing as a doctor and took up trading,” Silva says, adding, “I’m willing to work twice as hard just so long as my boy’s education isn’t cut short.” Mourad is a top student at Yerevan State University Department of Psychics but doesn’t plan to continue on at a foreign school. Right now his sole focus is on helping his brother. “Let my brother study at Stanford, I’ll take care of the family while he’s away. I can reach great heights in Armenia just as well,” Mourad explains.

P.S. Clearly, both Narek and Mourad are on the right track in terms of future accomplishments. All they need is some help from the government and from a few caring individuals.