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!