Narine Simonian, a French-Armenian organist originally from Gyumri, laureate of international competitions, and founding president of the “Friends of Gyumri – France” union, has established close cooperation with “Endanik” organization. Thanks to this collaboration, on the 30th anniversary of the devastating earthquake, a pipe organ by the renowned Alsatian master Rothinger was donated to the Holy Sign (Surb Nshan) Church in Gyumri.
The organ was dismantled by French expert craftsmen and safely transported to Gyumri with the support of the company “Muscari.”
Due to the extensive activities of “Endanik” center and Narine Simonian’s broad professional connection with music, many adolescents have had the opportunity to learn to play unique musical instruments. This is made possible not only through the efforts of specialists from Gyumri but also through the master classes of well-known musician-educators from across Armenia.
In support of the cultural and spiritual revival of her hometown, Narine Simonian donated several musical instruments—including a harmonium, an organ, and a clavichord—to “Endanik” organization. In 2018, an organ festival was organized with the participation of internationally acclaimed musicians, which was enthusiastically received by the public.
The Swiss humanitarian organization KASA participated in the heating system installation of “Endanik” organization’s building from 1998 to 2005. In 2003, KASA also supported the implementation of design work, roof renovation, and fencing of the land area for a semi-constructed building that had been granted free of charge by the Shirak Regional Administration.
SPFA (Solidarity between the Protestant Church of France and Armenia), a French charitable organization, has supported and cooperated with“Endanik”NGO since1990 through numerous programs. Over the years, it has contributed to the development of educational groups focused on national crafts and arts by partially providing necessary materials, equipment, and tools.
Together with “Endanik” NGO, SPFA implements the following programs:
Summer recreation program for children from socially vulnerable and large families, held at the “Arbanyak” camp in Vanadzor, owned by “Endanik” NGO.
"The Joy of Reading" program for young children attending the center.
Biannual visits of French tourists to “Endanik” center, aimed at introducing Armenian national crafts and arts through the creative works of Armenian children.
SPFA has also supported French language education and the establishment of a French-language library.
Since 2006, cooperation with the American charitable organization “ARA Project” has provided many socially vulnerable families and children with disabilities the opportunity to spend their summer holidays at the “Arbanyak” camp in Vanadzor.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the ARA Project’s committee, the organization also supports the celebration of Christmas and Easter for the children attending “Endanik” center. In addition, they implement individual sponsorship programs for children in need.
“Endanik” Charitable NGO also collaborates with Yerevan Brandy Company CJSC, which provides support in the tuning, transportation, and restoration of musical instruments.
It is worth noting that the organ class of “Endanik” Youth Creative Center, under the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (MoESCS), has been named after Patrick Ricard, president of the world-renowned Pernod Ricard company.
Since 2020, cooperation with the French organization Œuvre d’Orient has provided social and humanitarian assistance to numerous families displaced from Artsakh, including children orphaned by war and people with disabilities who have become unable to work.
Within the framework of the partnership between Œuvre d’Orient and “Endanik” NGO, the following initiatives are also planned:
Social support and financial aid for vulnerable families
Construction of a training kitchen and cafeteria
In collaboration with “Armenian Civitas” NGO, which is active in the fields of civic, entrepreneurial, and financial education “Endanik” Charitable NGO has implemented the programs “Valued Crafts” and “National Souvenirs” at Gyumri State Crafstman School No. 4.
As a result of these programs, students have been given the opportunity to promote, value, and gain wider exposure for their handmade works—both through exhibitions and skill development.
Since 1990, “Endanik” Charitable NGO had been operating in a temporary wooden structure intended for just two years. Over time, the building became severely deteriorated both physically and morally, no longer meeting the organization’s needs.
Recognizing the importance of “Endanik” center, by RA Government Decision No. 15, dated January 10, 2001, the Shirak Regional Administration donated a semi-constructed building and a 6,000 sq.m. land plot to the organization free of charge under a contract signed on July 11, 2002, for the construction of a center dedicated to creative, cultural, spiritual, and adolescent development.
In 2008, at the initiative of Jacques Matossian, a builder and French-Armenian philanthropist representing the French charitable organization SPFA, the construction work of the semi-built structure of “Endanik” NGO was launched. Key contributors to this initiative included:
“Armenianos” Swiss Foundation, President Jacques Hochstetter, private benefactor
French-Armenian Alain Gayaeyan
Lebanese-Armenian individual benefactor Azniv Arslanian
In October 2008, approximately 40% of the semi-constructed building located at 5a, 11th Street, Ani district was completed and put into operation, allowing “Entanik” organization to continue its work in a new wing of the building.
All organizations and individuals interested in and supportive of the organization's mission are warmly invited to participate in the continued construction of the remaining part of the center, which aims to support the development of adolescents in Gyumri.
The Jinishian Memorial Foundation and “Endanik” Benevolent NGO have jointly implemented several educational and development programs aimed at empowering socially vulnerable children through professional training. These include:
2003 – “Carpet Weaving and Artistic Woodworking Training for Children Attending ‘Endanik’ Center in Gyumri”
2005 – “Training in Silversmithing, Sculpture, National Costume Design, Carpet Weaving, and Fashion Design for Children in Gyumri”
The goal of these programs was to develop the abilities of socially disadvantaged children by providing them with professional skills, helping them become more competitive in the future job market.
In addition to these educational initiatives, the Foundation has also supported the “Summer Recreation” program and festive celebrations organized at the center.
The results of cooperation with the US Peace Corps are long-lasting and useful in the education and upbringing of teenagers in Gyumri. The English language training and business courses conducted by the volunteers will help the participating teenagers apply the knowledge they have gained in their daily lives. An English-language library, named after the Schindler volunteers, operates within “Endanik” center’s study hall, further supporting language learning and cultural exchange.
"Endanik" charitable non-governmental organization also cooperates with the "International Relief and Development"-IRD company, the "United Methodist Relief Committee" /UMCOR/, as well as the ARDA charitable foundation, which help the organization's beneficiary children by regularly providing humanitarian assistance.
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