Meet Armenia’s Defenders: Hayk
Tags: Updates, Karabakh War, Armenia, Crowdfunding, Nagorno Karabakh

Hayk Zhamkochyan is a 21-year-old engineer from the town of Nor Hachn, not far from Yerevan. He was already serving in the Armenian Armed Forces when Azerbaijan launched a war last year that lasted 44 days and claimed the lives of 3,360 soldiers and 65 civilians officially.

“I was serving in Askeran as part of the largest military unit in Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] when I was injured,” says Hayk.

“There was a firefight in the early hours of October 16. We were surrounded, and the fire was endless. When I got hit my leg went weak and I fell to the ground. My unit couldn’t get me out right away as they were under fire. I was worried that they had shot me in the heart and that I was going to die, so I closed my eyes for a minute and thought about my family. I opened my eyes and felt around my back, and realized I was hit in the spine, not my heart.”

Hayk used a tourniquet to minimize the bleeding until his unit got him to a medic. He was taken to Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh, then Yerevan for surgery. After his surgery he remained in the hospital for a month and a half, until he was brought to Homeland Defender’s to continue his rehabilitation, free of charge.

Homeland Defender’s is a social enterprise that provides anyone injured defending Armenia and Artsakh, including active duty soldiers, veterans and volunteer fighters, free medical care and rehabilitation, including short-term and long-term, inpatient and outpatient care. They’re currently remodeling a 4-floor wing of their center to increase their capacity so they can care for a total of 670 wounded soldiers per month. Donations to our current fundraising campaign will secure the equipment and furniture they need for this wing to care for soldiers like Hayk.

“I’ve been here for about 3 weeks, and during this time there’s been a big change in my health. In the hospital, before I came here, I was very weak. At times I couldn’t even eat food. But thanks to the help of the doctors and the staff, I’ve become more active. I’m very satisfied by everyone here. I’m motivated to continue my rehab exercises so that I can stand again. There was a time when my personal trainer wasn’t available, but the other soldiers receiving care here motivated me and exercised with me. The environment here is great.”

The doctors caring for Hayk estimate that he will walk again in about 2 months. He does strength exercises for his legs and hand with the center’s specialists, who are certified twice a year. “Right now my main struggle is finding my balance. Once I’m able to stand up and maintain my balance I’ll be able to walk again.”

When Hayk and the other soldiers aren’t working on their rehabilitation, Hayk says they spend their time in one of the center’s lounges playing chess and checkers or watching movies. Soldiers that are able to go swimming in the center’s pool, which is also retrofitted for people living with disability and is used for physiotherapy. Visits to the center are limited due to the coronavirus pandemic, says Hayk, but the soldiers do see their family members once in a while who come to visit while maintaining social distancing measures.

What does Hayk plan to do once he is healed and walking again? “By profession I’m an engineer. I want to continue my education in IT.”

Hayk began his military service in January 2018 through the Ministry of Defence’s “I Am” program. Through the program, soldiers serve on the frontline for 3 years rather than the standard 2, and are offered 7 months leave to see their families during their service, plus compensation after their service. Hayk’s 3-year service was almost complete when he was injured in combat. He’s been relieved of his duties and his service is over.

“I don’t regret my decision. I have decided to buy a house for my family using the compensation I will receive for my service. I’ve already found the right house. As soon as I receive the funds I will put down the deposit.”