The Armenian Red Cross Society helps Syrian-Armenians start their own businesses and live and work in the homeland through business projects. The Syrian-Armenians are provided with necessary items and equipment so that they can do business. Elmira Kocharian has moved from Syria to make pastries in the Mrgashat village of Armavir Province.

According to the Public Radio of Armenia, in 2012, Elmira Kocharian came to Armenia to spend her summer vacation, visited her ancestral home and wasn’t able to return to her husband in Aleppo due to the Syrian war. She and her family have been living separate lives for the past four years. She and her 10-year-old son live in her father’s home in Armenia, while her husband lives with his 90-year-old mother in Aleppo.

Overcoming the hardships, Elmira also takes care of her disabled parents. In 2013, through a program for support to Syrian-Armenians, she participated in training courses for nurses and started working as a nurse at the Mikaelyan Surgical Institute, but was dismissed four months later since she wasn’t getting paid. She received her salaries after her dismissal. The road from Mrgashat village to Yerevan and vice versa has also created difficulties for Elmira.

Elmira’s husband, Minas prints books at the Arevelq Printing House of the Armenian Prelacy of Aleppo. His salary is enough to take care of the family’s needs. Minas has tried to settle in Armenia, but doesn’t want to leave his 90-year-old mother alone. No matter how safe Armenia is, the old woman wants to live in Aleppo. Besides, it’s hard for Minas Kirejian to find a job in Armenia. He tried to continue to print books at a printing house in Armenia twice, but couldn’t find a job.

In addition, he can only cover his travel expenses with the money that he earns in Armenia. “Wherever I went, I was told that I would only receive 60,000 drams, if there was a job…It’s unreliable. There is no trust.”

Due to her fate, Elmira Kocharian is trying to start her own business and not be dependent on others. She has participated in the business program of the Armenian Red Cross Society. She believes her offer is approved. The Armenian Red Cross Society provides 800 Euros worth of necessary equipment so that she can start her business, and she hopes it works out next month.

Elmira Kocharian wants to have a bakery. An expert will help her gain the skills she needs. The economic self-sufficiency component of the Armenian Red Cross Society can serve as the best opportunity for Elmira to reunite with her family and settle in the Mother Homeland once and for all.