Interview with ARCL REB Chair Maral Mekhjian
by Houri Papazian Emirian
The Armenian Relief Cross of Lebanon (ARCL) has been and continues to be one of the most effective and extensively dynamic institutions in the Armenian community in Lebanon. The services of the ARCL extend to different groups of people of all ages and backgrounds.
In an interview with ARCL Regional Executive Board (REB) Chair Maral Mekhjian, we learn more about these activities, the current difficulties, and the future projects of the ARCL.
The role of the ARCL and its Volunteer Activity
Speaking about the role of the ARCL in the Armenian community in Lebanon, Mekhjian said that the 86-year-long activity of the ARCL is based on the volunteer work of the devoted ARCL members.
She noted that today, it might be difficult to find, even on an international scale, a women's association where all members work voluntarily.
“At the ARCL, we have an army of around 4000 volunteers spread across 26 chapters,” she said. “The aim of these ladies is to be a support and refuge to everyone, extend a hand to the student, the elderly, the widowed, the needy, and the sick, as well as commit to preservation of national and cultural values and traditions.”
According to research, voluntary service is the most noble and sincere work through which an individual can achieve inner satisfaction with their dedication. The work the ARCL does is a true reflection of this statement.
The ARCL Work Scope
The ARCL scope of work is extensive and branched targeting everyone ranging from children to the elderly and providing all relevant services.
The ARCL Children
The ARCL has many programs for the children. The Recovery Center (Gaztourman Gayan), held each year in Ainjar at the ARCL’s “Alexan & Araxi Kelbashian” Center, is one of them. There is also the ARCL "Narod Ardaljian" Children's Library program that allows children and teens to attend the Library during the summer and winter under the observation of supervisors and assistants.
The children also participate in the events the ARCL organizes on Children’s Day and for New Year’s.
Mkhejian noted that the ARCL has embraced these children under its wings, and that in the future, they will become the future generation of the ARCL.
The ARCL Elderly
Twice a week, the ARCL Kitchen program provides a hot meal to 180 elderly registered with the ARCL thanks to sponsors Vartouhi Degirmendjian and the Keropian-Jombalakians.
These elderly also participate in the New Year’s celebrations and the trips that the ARCL organizes specially for them. The ARCL makes every effort to make sure they do not feel alone or abandoned.
Preservation of national and cultural values
To preserve the Armenian cultural heritage, the ARCL Embroidery Center organizes annual exhibitions where most unique pieces of delicate and beautiful Armenian lacework and needlework are displayed and sold.
To keep Armenian traditions alive, the ARCL Promotions Committee prepares leaflets that describe the meaning of Armenian holidays and festive traditions. The Committee also organizes related events and lectures for the same purpose.
“We are always vigilant in the preservation, spreading, and familiarizing others of our Armenian traditions,” stated Mekhjian.
The Educational Committee
The ARCL aims at helping students that apply to the Association for grants. The ARCL Educational Committee researches the cases applied and prepares a list of all needy students. The ARCL REB discusses the cases and ratifies the list of students applying for aid.
The administrations of relevant schools receive the list that aims at informing the directors of the names of the students attending their schools whom are receiving financial Aid from the ARCL.
The Sanitary Committee
The ARCL Sanitary Committee organizes health lectures and campaigns periodically to raise awareness for prevention of some diseases and to provide general health information. Various booklets and pamphlets are also prepared for the same cause. The ARCL believes that prevention is very important especially since incurable illnesses are numerous; so, it focuses on prevention first.
The ARCL organizes a series of lectures and offers free blood tests for those who attend all these lectures without absence.
All of these activities are held in cooperation with the director of the Araxi Boulghourjian Socio-Medical Center (ABSMC) and the officer of the Precautionary Department.
The ARCL Promotions Committee
The ARCL is active online on its own website and Facebook page. It has a special page for its activities in the media and a radio program as well.
Each December, the public eagerly awaits the ARCL calendar dedicated to a specific theme each year.
The Annual Fundraiser program is the most renowned of the ARCL programs. Mekhjian said, “On that day and in exchange for the ARCL’s endless and unrestrained services, we expect our community to express their gratitude and with their participation assist us in the execution of that substantial duty. For us, this isn’t just a financial aid, it’s also a moral satisfaction, because it proves that the people support us. Even with the smallest of contributions, they will be giving us so much more.”
The Relations Committee
Mekhjian spoke about the current ties the ARCL maintains with local and foreign NGOs as well as embassies and other institutions. She said that these ties are very important since through them various collaborations are born; in addition, the ARCL stays up-to-date with the latest innovations, modern projects and developments.
These relations help make the ARCL activities known to the foreigners as well.
The Araxi Boulghourjian Socio-Medical Center (ABSMC)
The Araxi Boulghourjian Socio-Medical Center’s vast operation that provides services to all Lebanese people is the main and most important work carried out by the ARCL.
Speaking about the challenges facing the ABSMC, Mekhjian said that the center’s Committee constantly observes the daily activities at the bustling center as the number of attendees grows day after day especially after the rise of the number of refugees in the recent years.
The Center is one of the community’s most active institutions. It has 28 staff members who operate under the supervision of the Center’s director. For years, the ABSMC has provided medical assistance to all those who have stepped inside its doors for small amounts of money and without refusing anyone.
As a result of the Syrian crisis, large numbers of Syrian refugees settled in Lebanon. Meeting the needs of these refugees requires tremendous effort; however, we are doing everything possible to satisfy the needs of everyone to a maximum extent.
The Center has approximately 48 doctors across a range of specialties who work on a half-time or full-time basis. The ABSMC emergency department has certified nurses, an assistant, 2 specialized doctors, and 4 bone specialists.
The ABSMC also has its own pharmacy, radiology department, physiotherapy department, ambulance, dental center, and laboratory.
Mekhjian stressed the importance of the preventive and public health department office, which aims at derailing the progression of serious illnesses.
The other ARCL Health Centers
The ARCL also has two clinics: The Filhanessian Center in Ainjar and The “Mihran Der Melkonian” Clinic in Achrafieh. The clinics, which primarily provide medication, have their own caretakers.
The ARCL Social Services Office
The ARCL social servants do a remarkable job guiding the growing number of cases applying for help. They help the best they can and, if needed, direct some cases to other charitable institutions.
Recently, the Armenian drug prevention and rehabilitation center, “Horizon”, joined the ARCL. Their hotline provides emergency help to all who need it.
Mekhjian said, “I must add that last month (October 2016), representatives of the Lebanese Health Ministry visited the ABSMC to inspect our activities. We proudly announce that they found that our center - with our medical specialists, equipment, services, pharmacy, cleanliness, and mission - complies with international health standards.”
Enlisting and Recruiting Young Volunteers
Attracting new and young volunteers has been a concern discussed during ARS International Conventions and ARCL Conventions in the past decade. The ARCL REB has taken on the challenge of rejuvenating the ARCL ranks. We believe that this task needs a lot of effort and time.
Mekhjian said, “Recently, we started recruiting newcomers to our ranks who will modernize our operations through their contribution to the ARCL activities based on their specialties. These young newcomers operate with high enthusiasm, and we are glad that they are part of our large family. We were more pleased with the recruitment campaign that we organized for this occasion. The recruits came with a lot of enthusiasm and brought new vigor to the Association. We hope this eagerness persists and keeps our large family revitalized.”
She added, “By recruiting volunteers from this technology-hooked generation, we are also helping them disconnect from the machine and establish more human-to-human relations, reinforcing in them human principles and values. This way, this youth will also feel the satisfaction resulting from volunteer work.”
Mekhjian insisted on mentioning the elder members of the ARCL who provide their support at all times in service of the success of the ARCL activities.
Finally, ARCL REB Chair Maral Mekhjian expressed warm appreciation to the administrations, members, committees, and personnel of all ARCL Chapters. She stated that it gives her great pride to see how the collective efforts of these devoted people is keeping their commitment toward the ARCL firm and strong.
She also appreciated the sponsors of the ARCL whishing that God will compensate them even more. She expressed greater gratitude to the beloved Lebanese-Armenian community that always stands by the Association, believing in the mission of the ARCL and encouraging its activities, adopting the slogan: "from the people, for the people", lending their support so that together we continue this sacred work.
She concluded saying, “May the efforts of everyone be rewarded.”
