Toronto, ON — October 6, 2025 — The Founder and President of Lorik Humanitarian Fund, Shant Charchafian, recently concluded a ten-day visit to Canada, meeting with Armenian communities in Cambridge, Montreal, and Toronto to strengthen ties, share updates on Artsakh, and promote humanitarian efforts supporting the 150,000 forcibly displaced Armenians from Artsakh.
Throughout the visit, Charchafian delivered presentations on Artsakh’s people, history, and resilience, drawing from personal experiences living in Artsakh from 2020 until the forced displacement in September 2023. The presentations also highlighted Lorik Humanitarian Fund’s ongoing projects, including humanitarian aid, refugee support, and community rebuilding initiatives.
In Cambridge, Charchafian met with members of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) “Aram Manoukian” Chapter.
In Montreal, he visited the Laval and Montreal Armenian Community Centers, meeting with the ARF Juniors “Tro” and “Kedashen” and AYF “Levon Shant” and “Pegor Ashod” chapters, alongside representatives of the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC).
At Sourp Hagop Armenian School, under the leadership of Principal Mrs. Lori Abrakian, charchafian presented to students in grades 5–11 about Artsakh’s humanitarian situation and the importance of community led advocacy.
“I was deeply impressed by the school and by Mrs. Abrakian’s leadership,” said Charchafian. “A young principal raised in the community, she embodies the Armenian spirit of education, fostering pride, unity, and a commitment to the betterment and advancement of our nation.”
On Tuesday, September 30, Charchafian also visited the Armenian Prelacy of Canada, accompanied by Dn. Zaven Der Sahaguian, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sourp Kevork Armenian Apostolic Church Laval.
During the meeting with the Vicar General, the Right Rev. Fr. Keghart Kosbakian, and the Director of the Department of Christian Education, the Very Rev. Fr. Hagop Yacoubian, Lorik Humanitarian Fund presented updates on its charitable work providing families from Artsakh with permanent homes in Armenia. The Prelacy shared details about its broad educational and pastoral programs, discussing opportunities for ongoing collaboration.
The trip concluded in Toronto, where Charchafian met with the AYF “Simon Zavarian” and ARF Juniors “Rosdom” and “Krisdapor” chapters, and gave the final presentation at the A.R.S. Armenian School, led by Principal Mr. Raffi Sarkissian.
Under Mr. Sarkissian’s guidance, another young principal brought up within the community, the school provides an exceptional Armenian-spirited education rooted in national values and civic engagement. The school’s Student Humanitarian Council has raised and contributed more than $3,000 CAD over the past two years to support Lorik Humanitarian Fund initiatives in Artsakh.
“Our unity as Armenians transcends borders,” said Charchafian. “Through compassion, education, and collective effort, we can bring hope and stability to those displaced from Artsakh.”
Lorik Humanitarian Fund remains dedicated to providing humanitarian aid, empowerment, and long-term recovery programs for displaced Armenian families.
About Lorik Humanitarian Fund
Lorik Humanitarian Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Armenian people through humanitarian aid, education, and sustainable development initiatives. The Fund has implemented projects in Artsakh and Armenia focused on community rebuilding, refugee assistance, and youth empowerment.
