Honoring a Hero: The Aznavour Saghyan Scholarship Fund for Displaced Artsakh Students

We are proud to announce the establishment of the Aznavour Saghyan Scholarship Fund, a new initiative by the Lorik Humanitarian Fund dedicated to supporting the children of Martuni, Artsakh, a community that has endured extraordinary hardship and shown even greater resilience.

The Aznavour Saghyan Scholarship Fund was established to honor the memory and sacrifice of a hero while investing in the future of Armenian students forcibly displaced from Artsakh. Through this scholarship, Lorik Humanitarian Fund supports displaced Artsakh students pursuing higher education in Armenia, ensuring that loss and displacement do not prevent access to opportunity.

This educational initiative complements Lorik Humanitarian Fund’s work providing permanent housing for displaced Artsakh families, recognizing that long-term stability requires both secure homes and access to education for the next generation.

Who is Aznavour Saghyan?

Aznavour Saghyan is more than just the Mayor of Martuni, he is a devoted public servant, a loving husband and father, and a courageous defender of our homeland. On September 19, 2023, Aznavour gave his life protecting the people and the land he so passionately served. His sacrifice is a solemn reminder of the human cost of our national struggle, and the power of one individual to inspire many.

Aznavour is survived by his wife Mariam and their three young children. In his honor, we are launching this scholarship fund to help ease the burdens faced by the next generation in Martuni and to uphold the values Aznavour lived and died for.

The First $1,000 — A Family Contribution

This fund was made possible through proceeds from two deeply meaningful projects:

• “Maral in Artsakh,” a children's book written by Marine Jarchafjian

• The sale of Dadig and Babig statues, symbols of Armenian heritage and family

These proceeds have allowed our family to make the first $1,000 contribution to the scholarship. We hope this seed will grow into a lasting impact for generations to come.

A Lasting Commitment

A separate account has been established exclusively for the Aznavour Saghyan Scholarship Fund. Our long-term vision is to turn it into a self-sustaining endowment, ensuring that the children of Martuni will always have support in pursuing their education, despite the difficult realities they face.

We’re also honored to share that Mariam Saghyan, Aznavour’s widow, will serve on the scholarship selection committee, helping to choose the students who will carry her husband’s legacy forward.

How You Can Help

Your support can help us reach more children, grow this fund into a permanent endowment, and keep the memory of Aznavour alive through education. All donations to this scholarship are tax-deductible under 501(c)(3) status and will be managed transparently by the Lorik Humanitarian Fund.

Every contribution, large or small, is a step toward healing, rebuilding, and remembering.

You can support Artsakh student scholarships and help displaced youth pursue education and opportunity by contributing to the Aznavour Saghyan Scholarship Fund through Lorik Humanitarian Fund.

Thank you to everyone who always supports the small things we try to do.

God bless the Armenian nation.