On October 25, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan had another meeting with Syrian-Armenian Raffi Bashourian. During the meeting, the Minister asked about the treatment for his hand damaged from a gunshot, the progress and if he needed anything. “I want you to fully recover, have a job and settle in Armenia. This is your home. You can address us with any issue and be rest assured that all your issues will be solved and all your questions will be answered. The Ministry of Diaspora tries to solve the problems of all Syrian-Armenians with housing, employment, education and social issues in Armenia and do everything possible to make sure they settle and become quickly integrated in the Homeland.”

Raffi Bashourian is from Damascus. He and his brother, Gabriel moved to Armenia a couple of months ago. Raffi hurt his hand after a bullet went into his arm and came out of it, damaging his tissues and nerves.

A couple of days ago, Raffi visited the Ministry and said he had to meet with the Minister since only she could help him. “I have seen her. She helps all Syrian-Armenians, and she will help me too.” He talked about how he had left his father and brother in Syria and had moved to Armenia with his elder brother with the decision to settle.

The long-anticipated meeting was finally held. The Minister received the boy with open arms, asked about his problem and immediately called the relevant experts.

In just a couple of days, Raffi came back to the Ministry with a smile on his face, with shining eyes and moving his hand. He was so happy that he didn’t know what to say to express his gratitude and demanded to meet with the Minister to personally express his gratitude for her help, heartfelt attitude and dedication. “God willing, if I get married and have a daughter, I will name her Hranush.”

Today, Raffi is in need of long-term treatment. He has to find a job and a home, and he wants to help his brother find a job. First, he will see a physiotherapist to fully recover his arm, after which he will attend the courses for Syrian-Armenian businessmen to become familiar with Armenia’s taxation and labor legislations. Perhaps one day he starts a business in Armenia. Raffi is a high-class baker, loves to bake tasty pastries and talks about the secrets of his recipes in detail.

Among hundreds of other Syrian-Armenians who address the Ministry of Diaspora with their problems and difficulties and believe that the Ministry will help them and provide them with guidance, Raffi is also certain that the Ministry is his home where the employees are always ready to see him, listen to him and console him and where he has may friends.