Maro Siranosian

Name: Maro Siranosian
Hometown: Whittier, California
Age: 22
Duration of Service: Oct - Dec 2006
Volunteer Worksite: Counterpart International
I am currently interning at Counterpart International, specifically with the Civic Advocacy Support Program (CASP). My tasks include editing text, creating presentations, and writing success stories about NGOs which receive grants through CASP. Recently, I was given the opportunity to go to Goris, in the Syunik Marz, and interview seven NGOs in the surrounding regions. The experience was truly rewarding, not only was I able to visit different cities in southern Armenia (Kapan, Sisian, Vayk, Yeghegnadzor, & Goris) and interview different NGOs, I also got an opportunity to get a sense of how the NGO sector in Armenia works in general. On one occassion, I was even invited to sit in on a meeting between an NGO advocacy specialist and the Mayor of Syunik. It was interesting to experience, first-hand, the interaction between the two, and be present as important decisions regarding the Syunik Marz were being made.

My time in Armenia is quickly coming to an end and I have only recently realized how short two months can feel! I have three weeks left in Armenia, and I intend to take advantage of every moment and hopefully return very soon.

Laura Tashjian

Name: Laura
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Duration of Stay: One year

Background: professional work in public interest research and community organizing, international experience in sustainable development and women's advocacy work

Volunter work in Armenia: Teaching English, women's workshop, compiling journal and organizing events at the Kanayq Hayots Women's Resource Center in Yerevan.

Living and working in Ijevan (Tavush Region, Northern Armenia) with World Vision's Building Sustainably Livelihoods Program, which supports the community in business initiatives (such as piggeries, honey-making, stone workers, etc.)

Motivation: While standing through the Badarak procedures, it became painfully obvious that I am an outsider to my own culture. Incense, which smelled like my grandmother’s favorite dress, floated through the holy archway of the church and into my pew. I inhaled these memories slowly, hoping my lungs would accept a fraction more of air before I exhaled. I prayed my lungs would expand into the next pew until the remnants of my lost culture was allowed to circulate through my blood again.

The notes of a distant organ interrupted the rhythm of my breathing; my eyes opened and, instinctively, I understood that negotiating between my cultural “otherness” will always hinge on my understanding of the “homeland.” Long ago I launched my formal study of the Armenian language, culture, and history, but volunteering in Armenia has always been a missing link in my cultural puzzle.

Although discovering my “Armenianess” is a personal motivation, I believe strongly in the philosophy that work is only truly rewarding when it serves others and, with a background in the non-profit sector, I have dedicated my professional life to this end. Volunteering in Armenian is an ideal bridge not only to my personal questions of identity but also to my professional goals.

AVC volunteers march with Women's Coalition for Peace in South Caucasus

Armen Khatchadourian

Name: Armen Khatchadourian
Birth place: Beirut, Lebanon
Country: Canada (Montreal)
Age: 23
Education: B.Sc (Biochemistry)
Duration of stay: Sept 6 to Nov 30

I had two job placements in Armenia. The first one was at the Nork Marash Cardiology Centre, where the well known Dr. Hrayr Hovagimian operates. I worked at the biochemistry lab where they do blood tests on patients suffering from heart disease. For example, we determined the amount of glucose, creatinine, HDL/LDL and many other compounds in the blood. It was more a techinical type of work rather than something that involved research and thinking. However it did help me to learn many scientific terms in Armenian and Russian.

After two months spent at the hospital, I switched to conversational French teaching at the Alliance Francaise d'Armenie. You can imagine that teaching french and working in a lab are totally different, and as a volunteer, I really liked the teaching. The students were dynamic, motivated, interested about a lot of things; I never got bored. Plus it was fun to teach French in Armenia because it's kind of uncommon.

My overall experience in Armenia was indescribably rewarding. If you're thinking to take off for a few months and have a great experience, you know what to do.

Alliance Francaise: http://www.ambafrance-am.org/article.php3?id_article=255
Nork Marash: http://www.nmmc.am/

Dr. Ishkhan Babajanian, M.D. & Mrs. Anahit Babajanian, C.N.A

Names: Dr. Ishkhan Babajanian, M.D. & Mrs. Anahit Babajanian, C.N.A.
Hometown: California
Place of Birth: Iran
Duration of Service: September - December 2006; Living & Working in Stepanakert, Karabagh

I have retired as a practicing pediatrician from the William Beaumont Army Medical Center. It has been my mission to serve my Armenian community back home. I have toured the Nagorno Karabakh Republic with my family 2 separate times. I have come to respect the people of Artsakh, their perseverance, diligence, and their ethnic and national pride.

As a retired Armenian pediatrician with US experience, I would like to offer my time and professional and social experience by working in Nagorno Karabakh as a volunteer pediatrician. I would like to join our people there in building and improving pediatric health care in the region. As a person who is deeply committed in improving the condition of our people and preserving the legacy of our forefathers, I hope I can dedicate my small, humble share to my people.

Sevan Ohanian

Name: Sevan Ohanian
Hometown: Rockville, MD
Age: 25
Duration of AVC Service: Sept - Nov 2006

Volunteer worksite: Armenian Tourism Development Agency (Armenia Info)

Tasks included: Writing a guidebook on the Syunik Region, Helping Coordinate the hosting of 172 French Tourism Representatives and Journalists on a familiarization trip (pictured with co-workers, awaiting the arrival of the French Delegation at Zvartnots Airport), Writing various speeches and letters for the Minister and Deputy Minister of Trade & Economic Development

Final Remarks: I don't want to leave. If I had to do this over again, I would have stayed at least 6 months, and spent some time in a village or town outside of Yerevan. The only suggestion I have to AVC is maybe to promote volunteering outside of Yerevan more to potential and current volunteers.

AVC Fall 2006!

Kef Time

Friday night, we gathered to complete the Part II of the AVC training session. The evening began with AVC board of trustee’s member, Tom Samuelian, who gave a lecture on economic development in Armenia. He presented us with some very insightful facts on the present economy of Armenia, as well as proposing ideal ways that could boost the economy in the near future. The second part of the session, was lead by AVC director Anoush Tatevossian, who guided us through a workshop dealing with leadership, and our role as volunteers in Armenia. The group discussed how our work is useful to the development of Armenia, as well as some of the important resources we have to offer while volunteering.

What better way to finish off our great session, but to have a true Armenian kef! The volunteers, along with their coworkers, host families or friends, came together at Beirut Restaurant for an evening of mingling and dancing! Throughout the night, volunteers got to meet and socialize with local Armenian young people, make new friends, and dance the night away to our favorite Armenian music. Seeing how this event had such a good turnout, and everyone greatly enjoyed themselves, AVC is definitely going to make this a regular event!

AVC Training 2006

As many new Fall volunteers have been slowly arriving and getting into the groove of their volunteer work, AVC organized an official 2-part training session for its new and old volunteers.

The first session was extra special because we had the chance to meet some expert volunteers who actually led the training, but also because we had the opportunity to get out of town and head to peaceful Yeghegnadzor, for the second part of the day.

Bright and early, a group of 10 volunteers gathered at the office to attend a lecture on community development held by Jason Sprague, a Peace Corps volunteer from the US who has been living and working in Gavar for nearly 3 years. Jason led an informative session on ways which we can take a small idea and project, and transform it into something truly meaningful and useful to the smaller communities outside of Yerevan. During the lecture, he discussed all the simple steps on to how plan and implement our own projects, as well as the difficulties we may encounter while doing so. It is always inspiring to meet young Americans like Jason, who are living and working in different regions throughout Armenia. Most of them come to Armenia as Peace Corps workers for 2-3 year terms, not having any prior knowledge of the language, culture, or history of Armenia. However throughout their term, they become the most knowledgeable individuals on what life in Armenia is truly like, as well as a key resource when wanting to do development work throughout the regions.



The 2nd part of the day was spent at AVC alumni Sheila and Antoine Terjanian’s beautiful home in Yeghegnadzor. While there, Antoine brought us over to his neighbor’s home to watch some ladies prepare fresh lavash for us! After tasting the delicious bread, the afternoon was spent discussing issues dealing with cross-cultural differences, as well as cultural difficulties and encounters one faces when working and living in a foreign country. For the last part of the training, Sheila and volunteer Joe Levonian, who are skilled English as a second language teachers, used their personal experience and led a workshop on ways to teach while in Armenia.



It was truly an enjoyable day in Yeghegnadzor, where the volunteers had the opportunity to finally gather all together and discuss their personal experiences, gain some helpful advice and of course……enjoy each others company!

Armenia Diaspora Conference

The Third Armenian-Diaspora Conference

Through September 18th- 21st, the 3rd Armenia Diaspora conference was held in Yerevan, and AVC along with Birthright Armenia took part in this very successful event.

Organized by the Foreign Ministry, the event brought together important individuals, businesses and organizations that strengthen ties between the Diaspora and Armenia, while the conference dealt with important issues regarding Armenia’s development and future homeland- Diaspora relations. Seeing how AVC and Birthright have created opportunities to bridge the gap that exists between Armenia and the Diaspora, we were present at the conference’s business fair. With a great info booth, we did a great job promoting AVC’s interests and services to the hundreds of local Armenians and Diasporan's who were present. It was a fantastic way for AVC to get its word out within the community, and to build new contacts with Diasporan representatives throughout the world, specifically in those communities that are unaware of the great opportunities offered by AVC and Birthright Armenia.

Laurence Manessian

Name: Laurence Manessian
Age: 31
Place of Birth: Paris, France
Place of Residence: London, UK
Placement in Armenia: French Armenian Development Foundation
Length of Stay in Armenia: 10 weeks

I grew up in France, both my parents are of Armenian origin but I have never been really much involved in the Armenian community there. I work in finance in London, I have quite a demanding job. Last spring I felt the need to take a break from my professional and private life and to reflect on which direction I wanted my life to take. I obtained a 3-month career break from my work.

The choice of coming to Armenia came naturally. I had been there briefly 10 years ago, I had spent most of my time in a small village in the North of the country. Since then I wanted to go back, get to know the country more in depth and understand what it meant to me.

Through AVC I got a placement at the French Armenian Development Foundation based in Yerevan. They finance projects all over Armenia for the long-term development of the country. The types of projects they finance are: equipping hospitals, renovating schools or working with handicapped and deaf people to improve their living conditions in Armenia and help them find jobs. I help in the monitoring and co-ordination of existing projects and also in finding funding for new projects, asking for grants from international organizations.

I find that it is such an advantage to be of Armenian origin here. It makes the experience so much more profound. I was accepted as one of them from the start, I could really experience everything from the inside, and I never felt like an intruder.

I am so glad I came to Armenia, the experience is so much more complete that any I could have in any other country. I learn and see things on so many different dimensions.

Of course there is a linguistic and cultural dimension to the experience. I get to know the country, its history, its specificities and customs- who were Parajanov and Komitas, what is Borsch, who are the Armenian Navy Band, how to do a proper Genatz.

But I also find there is a very strong human dimension to the experience. You meet so many different people, have so many different interactions. You meet of course other volunteers, diasporans from all over the world with which you can share your experiences. You also interact with Armenians from Armenia. I found that they are very easy to talk to, they let you come into their lives straight away, they confide in you very quickly, tell you about their life, their problems.

I also found that there is a strong artistic dimension to the experience. Armenia is a country which is very orientated towards arts and I have never had such a close artistic experience than in this country. I met painters who brought me to their studios and explained me their arts, I met ballet dancers who took me to their rehearsals. It is so easy here and cheap to go to classical concerts, operas or ballets.

Somehow I also found my experience here spiritual, even though I am not such a devoted Christian. The journey through the forest to the Arekolov church, the frescos of Kobair and the sceneries from Gandzazar are all conducive to spiritual thoughts, I found.

Being a very city person, I found that my trip to Armenia brought me back to nature. Through various hikes around the country, I discovered its very diverse sceneries- the vast and dry hills of the surroundings of Yerevan, the green forests of Dilijan and the North East or the moonlike landscape of Aragatz.

Through my experience here, I have also discovered the world of NGOs and international organizations, a world much of its own, with its own rules.

I also found that this trip opened my mind to a number of issues and concepts that I had never given a proper thought before. Through the forums organized by AVC and Birthright, talks with people and my own observations, I got to think about a number of different world issues, such as: the influence and impact of communism, the place of Armenia in geopolitics, the economy of developing countries or humanitarian aid versus private investment.

All in all it is quite a complete and certainly amazing experience and one that I would recommend to any diasporan Armenian.

Zatik Orphanage Summer Festival

Zatik Orphanage Summer Festival Organized by Armenian Volunteers

YEREVAN August 28, 2006. This Saturday, September 2nd, the children of Zatik Orphanage will learn that their friends in the Armenian Diaspora do not forget about them. For the third year running, Richard (Ric) Gazarian from Chicago, and the Armenian Volunteer Corps, is hosting a full day Festival, complete with face painting, popcorn, cotton-candy and a pony ride, for the 136 children at the orphanage!

Numerous businesses have made promises to make generous donations which will make this day successful. Tumanian Shaurma will provide food and Grand Candy will provide ice cream, for the third year running Luna Park has donated it’s Moon Bounce for the day, and Cheers Disco Pub is supplying speakers and a DJ to kick off the fun!

Additionally, many other friends will participate to make the day as eventful and memorable as possible. Roughly 20 volunteers from the Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC), and also the Birthright Armenia/Depi Hayk Foundation, will be in attendance to help run the carnival games and do face-painting. The Zeytun dance group will put on a small performance, and professional clowns will provide amusement.

And why does Richard return every summer to host and sponsor this event for the children of Zatik? He simply says, “They are like my extended family.”

This relationship began in 2004 when Ric volunteered as an English teacher and mentor at Zatik Orphanage through the Armenian Volunteer Corps, an organization devoted to facilitating Diasporan Armenians with the opportunity to live and work in Armenia for long and short term volunteer service in hopes that those Diasporans will establish a life-long relationship with their countrymen and women in Armenia so that they can together build a stronger future.

Ric developed a strong attachment to his new found friends at Zatik, and they with him. Upon the end of his AVC service term in the summer of 2004, Ric decided he wanted to organize something special, something to bring happiness to the children in a memorable way. He organized the first “Zatik Festival” and like a true friend, Ric and the AVC volunteers try to play a continuing role in the lives of the children, and so are once again organizing the Festival fun this year.

Habitat for Humanity, Part 2

On Wednesday, September 6, AVC volunteers had an opportunity to return to Gavar and once again partner with Habitat for Humanity. Here, we worked on the same apartment building as before. Once finished, the building will house 24 families and close to 100 people.

We arrived at the site at 9am and, after a collective morning prayer, we recieved our day's placement. We worked side-by-side in one particular apartment with the man who would soon live in it: his first new home. For the entire day, AVC volunteers plastered and sanded the walls of the apartment in order to prepare the walls for painting. It was interesting to see how meticuluous the man's work was and how proud he felt to be working on his home. The smile that erupted on his face everytime he walked onto his balcony attested to his appreciation.

My second time on the worksite, I was amazed to witness the abundance of progress that Habitat has made on the building in only two months. When I first went in July, the building was a mere skeleton. Now, however, the apartments have tiled floors, beautiful wooden doors, and more. The humble works of every person that volunteered with Habitat for Humanity will greatly and directly influence these people.

-Stephanie Johnson

Welcome to the Fall 2006 Season

move mountains
1. if someone or someone's beliefs or feelings can move mountains, they can achieve something that is very difficult.
Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms © Cambridge University Press 1998


A message to the departing Summer volunteers, and the incoming Fall volunteers:

AVC's motto is "come move mountains" because living and working in Armenia is an act of faith and an investment of hope in the future of our homeland and nation. On behalf of the AVC family I thank you again for making that commitment.


With great love and respect,

Anoush Tatevossian
Executive Director
Armenian Volunteer Corps

Lena Maranian

Name: Lena Maranian
Age: 25
Hometown: Encino, California
Birthplace: Basingstoke, England
Internships: Smart Consulting, Children of Armenia Fund

In April of this year, I was accepted in to graduate school, to pursue an MBA starting in the fall of 2006. I quickly realized that I should figure out somewhere to go for my last summer before returning to school. I pulled out my long list of places around the world to explore when it occurred on me that I should focus more on something to do, rather than somewhere to go. A volunteer opportunity seemed like an excellent pre-text to business school and since I had visited Armenia twice before, I knew the country had many options for volunteering.

I gave up my job as a business consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers and set off for a two-month journey to Armenia with hopes that I could transfer the project management skills I had learned at work. Since being in Armenia, I have helped develop various project management materials, and conducted a seminar on the subject of project management for a group of business and economics students. I found the experience extremely rewarding especially during our ‘question and answer’ section. We discussed the differences between Armenia and the United States in terms of work ethic, employee motivation, salary and bonus structures, business readiness, barriers to entry, and knowledge management. I learned that there are boundless opportunities for me to use project management techniques here and that the workforce in Armenia, especially the student population, is eager to adopt new ideas and develop their skill sets. I also realized how much Armenia has to teach me about living life, enjoying our heritage, and developing deep ties to the homeland, such that I am always called back for more.

AVC Library Project

In Beginning of June, a few Volunteers ,along with myself, pioneered a brand new concept to the children of Yerevan: Integrate the children’s library IN the summer. The concept was two fold: one was to bring the children off of the streets and bring them into the libraries and secondly to strongly integrate the libraries into these children’s lives. With help from the librarians, we began a consistent schedule twice a week for several hours to completely bring the world of libraries, books, imagination, theatre, music, and writing. I’ve found that the children up-held such a strong standard for the volunteers solely because they knew we studied in universities in North America. In exchange, we gave them unconditional friendship and mutual respect for them. It was a two-way road to gain and learn from one another. The studiousness of these children was astonishing to me. We realized quickly how eager they were to learn absolutely anything that we could possibly offer for them.

I began to realize the need to utilize my English writing skills and convey a whole new aspect of writing to these kids but I wanted to bring a motivator for them; creating their very own book. The minute I told the 12-14 year olds the idea of creating their own book, full of their personal English-written essays, was so completely surreal to them. This far-fetched idea of these young Yerevan kids becoming published authors and cumulatively creating their own book by the end of the summer seemed attainable now to them because of the positive guidance I feel the volunteers have brought.

The blend of games bringing in the laughter, the reading which sparks imagination, and the writing which fills the room with thoughts makes the AVC Library Project truly remarkable and one that I am eager to see grow.


By: Maral Melkonian

Habitat for Humanity

On Wednesday July 12th several volunteers from AVC joined a group of 26 youth from Buenos Aires to help out with one of the ongoing projects organized by Habitat for Humanity. The group traveled to Gavar, a city close to Lake Sevan, to help out the staff of Habitat who were working on the construction of an apartment building. The Habitat team equipped the volunteers with shovels and buckets and guided them, as they had to transport sand up and down the floors of the apartment building. The assembly line of workers not only included diasporan volunteers but locals within the town who wanted to join in on the fun!


One by one, everyone played an important part in passing the buckets of sand to each other in order for it to make it up to the top floor, where the sand would later be used to cement and tile the bathrooms in the apartment. It wasn't all work and no play at the work site, as the Argentinean volunteers led the large group to sing and dance while they were working hard transporting the buckets. The day was a success as AVC volunteers traveled out of town and and spent the day mingling with new diasporans and locals, working together to help out Habitat for the day on a task which seemed to be a nice break from everyones daily work assignments in Yerevan. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves, and hopefully AVC will partner up with Habitat again in the near future!

Makur Yerevan

Below, Argam demonstrates a perfect "Before" and "After"...


Seeing all the trash all over Yerevan sparks something in an individual. Growing up in the States, society teaches you to not liter and to care for your communities cleanliness. Participating in Markur Yerevan made it possible for us Diasporans, in combination with native Armenians, to help in the cleaning of the streets of our home country. It felt good to see the streets of Yerevan clean after lugging out bags and bags of trash and seeing the locals applaud our efforts and promise not to liter. I know that if more locals see that others are contributing to a clean Yereven they too will be inspired to do the same and therefore have a clean capital that we can be proud of.

AVC Takes Action Against the Recall of Ambassador Evans

The AVC teamed up with over 150 activists on June 28th under the TV screen in Republic Square to protests the recall of the American Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans. Evans' recall is the result of his comments a year ago verifying the Armenian Genocide, which Evans defended as a historical fact that cannot be debated, despite increasing Turkish denial of the event. Evans' comments are currently out of line with US Policy, which fails to recogize the First Genocide of the 20th Century.

Volunteers gathered in the Square and lit candles, performing a largely silent protest that lit up their corner of the square and attracted the attention of news agencies, onlookers, and many tourists staying at the Armenia Marriot Hotel.

The protest was staged at 10pm in Yerevan, to coincide with the beginning of the US Senate confirmation hearings of Ambassador Evans' replacement in Washington DC (2pm EST). Photographs of the event in Armenia were quickly emailed to collaborators in Washington and projected on a screen outside the hearings, where other protesters stood with yellow tape covering their mouths.

The yellow candles and tape were representative of the Yellow Ribbon Campaign, which was started by Mr. Edward Balasanian as a campaign against the silencing of the Armenian Genocide. Mr. Balasanian spoke briefly about the campaign and the Ambassador at the protest, which lasted roughly an hour. A special thanks to all the volunteers who showed up to support Ambassador Evans.

You can read more and view more pictures here.

AVC Monthly Meeting

The AVC held its monthly meeting on June 9th. Among things covered, the new volunteers met each other and were introduced to Anoush and AVC Board Member Tom Samuelian. Anoush talked about work sites and what to expect from working at different organizations in Yerevan.

Volunteers then had a screening of several films either made by AVC volunteers, or by organizations that AVC volunteers work with. The line-up included a promotional video for Hieffer International filmed and produced by Sophie Malkasian (2005), a series of short films produced and directed by the children of the Manana Youth Organization where Julie Couston worked (2006), a documentary film about the destruction of Armenian Khatchkars in Naxichevan produced by RAA where Raffi Kortushian volunteers (2006), and a marketing video directed and produced by Anoush Tatevossian (2004) for Bars Media.

AVC in the News

The AVC's efforts in the Russian xenophobia protest on June 5th was cited in a recent news article outlining meetings between Armenian President Robert Kocharian and a representative of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The protest can be considered a success, as the Armenian government has stepped up diplomatic pressure with Russia to be proactive about the xenophobia issue. Thanks to all those who took part in the event.

You can view the article on www.armenialiberty.org.

Also check out this article on Hetq Online.

Nick Bazarian

Name: Nick Bazarian
Age: 21
Hometown: Quechee, Vermont
Boston, Mass
Herndon, Virginia

Started with AVC: February 14th, 2006
Worksites: USAID Armenia Legislative Strengthening Program
Armenia Tourism Development Agency/Information Center
Taught English with Mary Keyork

Currently I am working for AVC. I was supposed to leave Armenia in May, but instead took a mini vacation in Europe and came back. I love it here, not so much Yerevan, but all the people I have met since I came in February. Traveling this country is incredible as well. Each region is so diverse, yet so close that one could see half the country in one day and feel like you went to four different continents. I would love to start and adventure/ski touring company here someday...

If you come here, make sure you get out of the city and stay with people in a village at some point. This is where you will truly learn about life in Armenia, because ultimately Yerevan is just like any other city. Learn about people's struggles, joys, and teach them about life in your own country. Learn to drink like an Armenian as well.

AVC Protests Against Racism in Russia

The AVC joined other protesters on Monday, June 5th in front of the Russian Embassy in Yerevan to protest the recent and ongoing killings of Armenians and other foreign peoples in Russia during the last half year. Over the last month, 3 Armenians were killed by skinhead groups in the Moscow metro area. In total, there were around 100 people gathered in the street in front of the embassy, many holding signs saying "STOP". This was a major press event, and many volunteers were interviewed by news agencies. The volunteers described their irritation and anger towards the killings, which they claim Russian officials aren't doing enough to deter. After the rally, protesters marched to the Armenian Foreign Ministry in Republic Square. The protest was considered a success, as this was the first organized resistance of Armenians to the killings.

Maral & Sayat Arslanlioglu

Name: Maral & Sayat Arslanlioglu
Age: 32 and 36
Hometown: Istanbul
Started AVC Service: April 2006
Worksite: Armenia Tree Project & Armenian Forests NGO

We have had the great experience of working with these organizations through AVC, for the reforestation of our beautiful Armenia. We have planted trees and worked in the tree nurseries in several vilages. AVC has also made the arrangement for volunteers to join community tree planting activities in various weekends.



Our experience in Armenia was unparalleled. We met best people and we saw best sceneries there. Each tree is a new hope for the future of Armenia and we have seen many hopes planted for that paradise country.

Both Armenia Tree Project and Armenian Forests NGO are excellent organizations who do wonderful work to reforest Armenia, which has a very critical level of 8% of forests today. Together with AVC, they made every effort to make our volunteering experience a fruitful and pleasant one.

Mary Keyork

Name: Mary Keyork
Age: 23
Hometown: Montreal, Canada
Started AVC volunteer service: February 2006

Work sites:

Bridge of hope wich is a non-governemental organisation and its main goal is to promote the inclusion of chidren with disabilities in our society (www.bridgeofhope.am).

Armenian Legislative Strengthening Program (ALSP) is run by USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and its main objective is to improve democratic governance.

I also conducted english conversational classes with another AVC volunteer, Nick Bazarian.

My experience in Armenia was phenomenal and I will never forget it!! I have never felt more proud of being Armenian! I met the most amazing people and I saw some of the most breathtaking sceneries of my life.