In the early 20th century, the city of Constantinople was a multicultural center at the literal crossroads of Europe and Asia. An estimated 3,200 Armenian refugees came to Constantinople in 1920 and 1921 with many more still on the way. Widowed by the horrors of the Armenian Genocide, many of the women refugees were forced to leave their children at home alone while they looked for work throughout the day. A solution was critically needed.
Two thousand Near East Relief orphans found a temporary home — and two dedicated relief workers found love — in a gleaming palace by the sea. Sadly, the shores of Corfu were also the site of a great tragedy.
After a sudden and life-threatening flight from Turkey, Near East Relief orphans found a new home in an ancient city.
It was a paradisiacal setting with very real dangers. Learn how the orphans of Corinth overcame the odds — with the help of two incredible women.
Let’s visit Juniyeh Orphanage, where 500 girls found strength in survival.
A Crusaders’ castle for a classroom. An archaeological site for a playground. Let’s dig into the story of Jubeil Orphanage.
This emotional essay by Azad Kechian, age 12, was published in the New Near East magazine in April 1924. In addition to being a Genocide survivor, Azad Kechian survived the devastating 1923 malaria epidemic that struck Nahr Ibrahim Orphanage and the surrounding community. He wrote about the experience of leaving his orphanage home for Jubail with a clarity and sensitivity far beyond his 12 years.
Today we are joined by Vicken Babkenian, an independent researcher and an expert on Australia’s work with Near East Relief.
Explore one of the Near East Foundation’s most beloved archival items in this special video dispatch.
Nellie’s busy vacation at the Birds’ Nest comes to an end — with a few special surprises.
Nellie’s visit to the Birds’ Nest continues with a busy day in the life of the orphans.
Near East Relief worker Nellie Miller loved to visit the little “birdies” at the Birds’ Nest Orphanage.
The church at Kazachi Post appears in many Near East Relief photographs. What is the story behind the majestic building?
Between 1915 and 1925 the city of Aleppo, Syria welcomed tens of thousands of Armenian orphans and refugees.
In 1923, Greece agreed to accept more than 16,000 Near East Relief orphans after the evacuation from Turkey. Many of those orphans built a new home (literally) on the beautiful island of Syra.
Near East Industries provided a source of income for thousands of refugee women. It was much more than a series of shops — it was a means of cultural preservation.
With more than 20,000 children in residence, what was it like to call the Orphan City home? This dispatch is the second in a series about life in Alexandropol, Near East Relief’s largest orphanage complex.
If one of your relatives grew up in a Near East Relief orphanage in Armenia, there is a good chance he or she lived in Alexandropol – a complex of three orphanages that housed more than 22,000 children at its peak. This dispatch is the first in a series about Alexandropol.
The Near East Relief orphanages required an astonishing amount of food. Where did it come from?
