STRONG AND TRADITIONAL FAMILY IS THE BIGGEST FORCE OF HOMELAND

In the Ministry of Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan received the women who showed themselves during the service as well as mothers having more than 10 children. In the end of the function the Minister made a surprise for those mothers – he invited their sons-soldiers and gave a 10-day vacation as a prize.

– I am Anjela Melkonyan, I have 12 children, this is my soldier-son…

Martik Melkonyan: – My 11 children were born in our 1-room apartment. There was a big room with lots of beds, and a lot of warmth, love, children’s noise, joy. 14 people in one room.

With my wife we worked from morning till night, children, too. They learned it from us. The elders take care of the juniors, after school go to the filed, work to facilitate family’s difficulties. The state helped us, gave money for construction materials, and we, all our family, with our hands built our house.

Anjela Melkonyan: – People get surprised – how could I live 18 years in one room and give birth to 11 children? I’ll tell you a secret – in my family always were love and solidarity. My children are organized, kind, obedient, hardworking, submissive. My Baghdasar is 18 years old, he is a soldier. Bavakan is 17, Shoushan is 15, Daniel is 13. These 4 are already fledged people, they are our helpers. Satenik is 11, Mariam is 10, Nazelie is 9. These are so organized that take care of the small ones. Sara is 6, Armineh is 5, Esther is 4, Samuel is 2, Melineh is 1…

When all 15 sit at the table, my house becomes full of blessing…

Soon we’ll enlarge our apartment. Our Minister, Seyran Ohanyan, promised to help. Thank God! There is no woman in the world happier than me. I don’t need anything.

Baghdasar Melkonyan: – I was very happy and proud that took part in this function organized by the Defense Ministry. I saw Mr.Seyran Ohanyan from very close distance, he shook my hand, put his hand on my shoulder. I dream about the day, when I wear officer’s uniform, with shoulder straps, stars.

GAYANEH POGHOSYAN