Home of Their Own- FINAL Outcome

In October 2007, Roza and Astghik locked the door of the defunct preschool, where they had been living for 8 years, and headed toward their new home. They were going to Yeghegnadzor, the nextdoor town, where Astghik was born and where she wanted to live. In Yeghegnadzor there would be more job opportunities for her mother, it was close enough to the village for Astghik to continue teaching until she found something new and they would be closer to quite a few relatives. Below is the view from the balcony of their new home.

This was the first warm and comfortable winter in a long time-- they purchased a gas furnace and not only enjoyed the convenience of gas, but saved money due to better efficiency and the price of natural gas compared to wood.

With the remaining $1,000 after purchasing the home, they procured some necessary furniture: kitchen cabinets...

...dining room chairs, 

...and a large hutch/entertainment center (designed by Astghik).

Here's the hallway. The bathroom/toilet are behind the doors on the left. Front door is down the hall on the right. Storage closet at the end of the hallway. Roza's bedroom at the end of the hall on the left.

This is Roza's bedroom.

A view from the other side of the bedroom.

This is Astghik's bedroom.

They moved in in October, and even in March folks were continuing to come over to congratulate Roza and Astghik on their new home. Lusine came from her husband's village to see the place. Astghik grew up with her and they were best friends through school.

On this particular morning we got up early (7:00 am) to eat "khash," a traditional dish that stews all night long. Notice the vodka shots waiting to be consumed. What a way to start the day!

Laundry is hung to dry from the balcony.

The night before I left. Roza was sprinkling the dry lavash in order to fold it up and send it home with me to my mother.

My mother came with her two friends Paula and Linda to visit in November 2007, just a few days after the move.

Their new location enabled Roza to obtain employment. She was hired by the folks who sold her the home. She works 7 days a week as the sole employee for this little convenient store located just next door to their building.

Here's a photo of the little store.

If Roza needs to leave the store (to do laundry or something), Astghik covers for her. Astghik, a schoolteacher, is multi-tasking-- preparing for tomorrow's lesson and grading papers, while watching the store.

This is the building in which their apartment is located.

When I asked what has been different about living in their new home, Astghik replied, "Sophi jan, our lives have completely changed. Life is just so much easier in so many ways. Things that were so burdensome for us to do before, we now do with pleasure. Preparing for the 12-day New Year's feast was so easy! Before, with no kitchen, no running water and insufficient heat, everything was difficult and stressful. I don't miss the preschool at all. We are very happy here." 

With Roza's new job, the mother daughter team are bringing in almost twice the income they were before. After teaching for 15 years, Astghik is ready for a career change. Her desire is to start a small business.