Hovhannes was a small boy when he was deported with his family. He does not remember the name of his native town nor does he remember the name of his father and mother. As far as we can understand, his parents must have been passing the town of Malatia. There the boy was either given by his parents to some Kurdish woman or left on the road because they were too weak to carry the child any longer. However, until now Hovhannes was living there working very hardly at his age, in order to gain his daily bread. Lately the Kurds began to insult him very badly, telling him that sooner or later he was going to be killed because he was a Christian. Hovhannes tired of this kind of life offered his servives to a camel driver in order to accompany him to Syria where from he could flee easier. His services were accepted so he made his way to Syria, and with it to freedom.

Left our care: December 31, 1929. Living with his aunt in Muslimie.