Please consider reading through this message for a minute. I’m Vaagn Avakian based in UK
Dear fellow Armenians
Please consider reading through this message for a minute. I’m Vaagn Avakian based in UK, writing this message from Dubai which I’m visiting due to my work. I took an opportunity of my regular business visits to Dubai also to get accustomed in my free time with some of the local Armenians (which are relatively few in comparison with other parts of diaspora). My current visit was marked by an amazing discovery: meeting an amazing Frenchman who is deeply involved in Armenian (and especially Artsakh) causes.
Please meet Monsieur Nicholas Paillart. Not a drop of Armenian blood, a Frenchman as pure as a Chardonnay wine, he is doing truly wonderful things for our homeland and community. Nicholas had been visiting last year Artsakh with humanitarian aid, he told me how he was held for interrogation by Russians on the border for 12 hours, but finally managed to get through and deliver medicine and goods for Armenians over there.
Nicholas started a charitable project Sewing Hope Armenia, where he employs refugees from Artsakh, currently 30 women, producing handmade bags, home goods and other accessories. He is distributing the products through a website (please consider following the link) which operates in UK as well, with items ranging $10-$100.
Please consider purchasing something and also spreading the information about this as much as possible among family, friends and general public, as it is vitally important to keep the production going. Nicholas is based in Dubai running his Family Office from DIFC and doing finance for a living; it could be clearly seen that a project like Sewing Hope Armenia is non-commercial, currently loss-making and with less than 50 employees and handmade manufacturing there is almost no chance of benefiting from economy of scale and turning this into a profitable business; hence I believe it is very important to keep the ball rolling so at best the income from sales could cover the costs and people continue to be employed making bespoke Armenian products. Apart from all, to my humble understanding it is quite exciting and rewarding to own a product from one’s own home country, a 100% hand made items, not manufactured in Taiwan, China, Malaysia or - God forbid! - Turkey all of which are famous for their inferior quality and nowadays driven only by the aim of maximizing profits at the expense of the end consumer.
Apart from this endeavor Nicholas is also currently working with Armenian groups like Network State, recently sent medical and food support for Artsakh with Red Cross. Please take a note once again that he’s not an ethnic Armenian and him doing this off genuine altruism is truly amazing and so promising.
Please PM me if you have any questions or want to know more about Nicholas or Dubai Armenians, I’ll be happy to answer. I’ll be on 18th March at Klingen concert and would be happy to meet in person with those who’ll attend.
Take care))
Vaagn Avakian, United Kingdom, March 3
I am honored to be carrying a bag made by these brave ladies…
I am honored to be carrying a bag made by these brave ladies and be part of the Sewing Hope for Armenia story. Each stitch is an empowerment for these ladies who are given a unique opportunity. Supporting this cause while carrying such a nice bag makes you feel good, artisanship with an aura of Armenia.
Gohar Mirzoyan, Los Angeles. March 22
Your initiative is really inspiring
Your initiative is really inspiring. I can see love, warmth and Armenian soul in every product. Keep going ❤
Mari Chakryan, Armenia, June 21
Thanks for my personal bag!
Thanks for my personal bag! It is a perfect combination of my initials and my nation. Thank you once again. Now my looks are more close to my nature.
Narineh Chorbadjian, Argentina, May 15
Being far from my homeland now I have a part of it ❣
Being far from my homeland now I have a part of it ❣ The pillowcases and table sets perfectly complement the interior of my home.
Sarin Der Avanessian, California, May 27
I want the whole world to see that I am wearing an Armenian bag!
My home is where my heart is, my heart is in Armenia! I want the whole world to see that I am wearing an Armenian bag!
Lyusia Badalyan, Ukraine. March 24