The first beginning
In 2004, 15 years after the earthquake, René Beunk returned to Leninakan, which had since been called Gyumri again. As with so many volunteers from the earthquake period, it was nagging and it was important to go on site to see what had become of it. He found a city that “was no longer on the ground, but had now sat down again.” Some old acquaintances were also still in town and he decided to work with them to set up small projects.
A collaboration was established with Gevorg Amiryan to supply his library with English, French and German books. Nashuatec donated a large copy machine and the first transport with a large number of books was a fact. The highly effective collaboration continues to this day (see the heading “Library”).
Alvan Tsarik Foundation
In addition, another collaboration emerged with the daughter of one of the other older acquaintances from the earthquake era, Lilit Gasparyan. It was decided to set up a foundation in the Netherlands with the aim of making small-scale projects in Armenia possible. Lilit Gasparyan suggested the name “Alvan Tsaghik”, the name of a well-known fairy tale in Armenia. René and his brother Servaas Beunk were the founders and board members of “Stichting alvan tsarik” in 2005 (the name was slightly adapted in spelling to Dutch pronunciation). Later, board members Gerard Bloemberg 2005-2022), Annie Bodde, Jean Paul Vossers and Hannie Boevink were added (both from June 2024). The foundation coordinates relief efforts, looks for sponsors and provides information about its work in Armenia. The Alvan Tsarik Foundation has ANBI status.
Alvan Tsaghik Foundation
Lilit Gasparyan established a foundation in Gyumri under the same name in 2006 with a notarial deed in which she became the director of this foundation. The Dutch Alvan Tsarik Foundation has sent two containers with relief supplies that were handled by the Armenian foundation. There was also cooperation in educational projects in the field of preschool education in a number of villages around Gyumri. This collaboration came to an end in 2011 and Lilit Gasparyan took steps to end up with the Armenian foundation in a legally correct manner. The Dutch foundation has provided financial support for this.
Alvan Tsaghik Social and Educational Center NGO
The Alvan Tsarik Foundation has continued its ongoing projects in Gyumri and the surrounding area since 2011 and found a good coordinator in Lilit Gyunashyan. In 2015, it became apparent that there was a great need to have a legal entity in Armenia. To this end, an NGO called Alvan Tsaghik Social and Educational Center was established. Among the “founding fathers and mothers” were René and Servaas Beunk and Lilit Gyunashyan. The statutes with the objectives and description of the working areas of Alvan Tsaghik Social and Educational Center have been approved by the Armenian government. The NGO now consists of seven members and Lilit Gyunashyan has been the director of the NGO since its inception.