On 14 September, 2018, Aleppo-NGO hosted professor Salpy Agarakian, the Head of Armenian International Medical Fund and the Director of International Programs and Nursing Qualification Division of University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

In 2003, aiming to help those people of her homeland for whom the world is silent, professor Agarakian, in collaboration with leading surgeon Akira Ishiyaman from UCLA and Armenian International Medical Fund which funded Regional Cochlear Implant Center in Yerevan. Since 2004, the Center has been initiating a unique surgery – cochlear implantation – with the participation of surgeon Akira Ishiyaman and Armenian professionals at Erebuni Medical Center in Armenia.

Thanks to this Center, more than 111 children with bilateral severe hearing and deafness have undergone surgery receiving expensivecochlear implants for free.

“Cochlear Corporation which produces the implant, has specified its market price of $ 38.000,but we have managed to reach an agreement with the Corporation. Thanks to the good will of the Corporation, the implant is provided at a cost of $ 16.750”,-says professor Agarakian.

The lecture, organized in the framework of “Socio-Psychological Assistance to Syrian Refugees” project of Aleppo-NGO, gave the attendees an opportunity to get acquainted with the activities of the Regional Cochlear Implant Center.

“My father, originally from Kharberd, was a great patriot. He cultivated patriotism and kindness in me. His patriotism was a driving force for me. He used to say that knowledge is the biggest weapon. And today, when everyone chooses to express love towards the homeland in their own way, I choose to apply my own knowledge for the development of my homeland”,-says professor Agarakian.

The effectiveness of the activities of the Regional Cochlear Implant Center, founded by Salpy Agarakian, made Armenia the second country in the region to perform exceptional high-tech surgeries.

“I cannot save the whole world but I can help someone in this world. When I see that there is a need for action, I act: the most important is to get started,”-says professor Agarakian. Thanks to her efforts the funds for purchasing the expensive implants are being raised.

Professor Agarakian’s lecture at Aleppo-NGO was not a coincidence, since she was one of those who encouraged the establishment of the organization back in 2013․

“My parents have conveyed to me the values of Armenians from Aleppo. Out of all the qualities, I most appreciate the honesty existing in the Syrian-Armenian community. And I could not stay apart from encouraging and inspiring the implementationof projects aimed at ensuring the well-being of the Syrian community in Armenia”,-says professor Agarakian.

At the end of the lecture, the audience, who had the opportunity to learn about the charitable activities of the Regional Cochlear Implant Center in Armenia, addressed their questions to professor Agarakian.

As a reminder, the free socio-psychological assistance meetings at Aleppo-NGO provide support to Syrians who went through the war and find themselves experiencing psychological side effects, helping them to recover and become actively involved in the civil life of Armenia.
A priest (APD) and various speakers hold lectures during those meetings.The meetings take place every Friday, at 16.00, at the Aleppo-NGO office. The address is 11 Northern Avenue, -1 floor.