AVC Y Birthright Armenia: Un Gran Nexo A Nueestros Origenes

Alex Sarafian
(Argentina)

Para comenzar agradezco a Birthright Armenia, organización que se ocupa que la estadía de los voluntarios en Armenia sea lo más satisfactoria posible, y en especial a su director en Ereván el Sr. Sevan Kabakian, quien creo que es uno de esos héroes encubiertos haciendo patria. También a la señora Sharistan Melkonian quien es la directora en Ereván de Armenian Volunteers Corp (AVC) organización que se encarga de conseguir el trabajo a los voluntarios participantes del programa.

En un principio quisiera decir que, siendo de origen armenio, siento que viajar a Armenia no es el típico lugar para visitar como un turista tradicional. Porque uno no es ajeno a ese lugar, a esa gente, a esa realidad. Hay un lazo en común, hasta llegar al punto en que se siente todo como propio. Por eso mismo, cuando decidimos con mi esposa viajar a la Madre Patria, tuvimos la necesidad de ir y comprometernos con un proyecto a realizar. AVC y Birthright Armenia nos dieron esa posibilidad y así pudimos experimentar nuestro lejano país de una forma distinta.


Como armenio de la diáspora y asiduo concurrente a la colectividad de la Argentina, estoy permanentemente enterado de muchas cosas que suceden en el seno de la armenidad, entonces viajé a Armenia bastante informado: su geografía, sus personalidades más destacadas, el conflicto de Nagorno Karabagh, sus relaciones con Irán, Rusia y Turquía, etc. Entonces partí desde Buenos Aires con todo ese bagaje pero sin un elemento esencial el cual sólo pude adquirir estando allí: ese despertar a la conciencia histórico-cultural-social al que se accede viviendo y trabajando dentro de este país milenario y lleno de riquezas humanas. Durante dos meses tuve la oportunidad de hacerlo y pude sumergirme en una cantidad de realidades que creo que a la distancia son difíciles de captar.

Una vez en Armenia (el 28 de febrero de este año), cuando la directora de AVC me preguntó cuál era mi profesión o a que me dedicaba, yo le expliqué que mi trabajo en Buenos Aires está vinculado a la confección de ropa de mujer, por lo tanto mi labor en Armenia correspondería a esa área. Al principio necesité de algunos días para encontrar un trabajo que se relacione con el mío. Finalmente llegué a la oficina de Nina Hovnanian quien es la dueña de los negocios "Tesoros de Armenia". Después de conversar durante una hora me ofreció trabajar en su empresa en el desarrollo de una línea de mallas para niñas. Durante dos meses dirigí este proyecto como voluntario. Fue un desafío mayor confeccionar algo que, creo yo, no se fabrica en Armenia. Desde la tela, hasta los moldes, pasando por los motivos y las estampas, la confección y un sin fin de cosas más, dificultaban día tras día nuestras intenciones de darle un sentido a nuestro proyecto.

Además del trabajo, la organización disponía de la posibilidad de tomar clases de armenio oriental dos veces por semana y todos los sábados, realizar una excursión a algún lugar de Armenia (desde áreas naturales, ruinas históricas, iglesias antiguas, sitios culturales, Nagorno Kharabaj, etc.)

Mas allá de brindar un trabajo relativo a la especialidad de cada uno, de garantizar un hospedaje gratuito en una casa de familia y de reembolsar el monto de dinero del pasaje aéreo una vez cumplido con el programa de voluntariado, AVC y Birthright Armenia ayudan a entender muchas cosas que como simples turistas o visitantes no serían posibles. Por ejemplo, en mi caso y el de otros voluntarios, tuvimos la posibilidad de acceder a forums y havaks (así llaman ellos a pequeñas conferencias y debates semanales) con gente de diversas áreas de la realidad de Armenia: militantes de los derechos humanos, de conciencia ciudadana, ecológicos, gente del área política, de universidades y hasta clases de cocina armenia y actividades tradicionales armenias como pintar huevos de Pascua. Ambas organizaciones además, alientan permanentemente a que uno participe de espectáculos culturales, como danzas, música, arte, etc.

También se tiene la libertad de moverse por cuenta propia, ya que las mencionadas actividades no son obligatorias y uno tiene la posibilidad de estar solo si quiere o de buscar actividades de acuerdo a sus intereses personales.

Realmente la propuesta que ofrecen estas dos organizaciones es integral y está tan bien desarrollada, que a uno le hace observar las situaciones desde otro ángulo muy interesante. Creo que de regreso a nuestros países comenzamos a comprender lo armenio con una visión diferente.

AVC y Birthright Armenia son organizaciones que tienen el objetivo de hacer entender, valorar y concientizar a cada uno de sus voluntarios, de quiénes somos los armenios y cuánto de ese patrimonio que tenemos a tantos miles de kilómetros de nuestras casas nos corresponde por simple herencia. Y más aún, nos dan la libertad de pensar qué hacer con todo ello una vez asimiladas esas características que nos proponen como punto de partida.

Tatjana on Nathan’s Archeological Dig Site

Tatjana Crossley
USA (Florida)

I was given the opportunity to visit Nathan’s work’s dig site. My first visit to an archeological dig! It is a site that is 5000 years old and has remains from a temple and houses. Apparently the archeologists had found 7 sacrificial wolves at the site that are now at a museum.

The dig wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but then again I imagined we’d be dusting off ancient artifacts and going down into enclosed chambers- I guess I pictured a dig more similar to what one might see in Indiana Jones or the Mummy- very unrealistic, I know.

So we spent our time digging up dirt, moving dirt in buckets and moving rocks to a rock pile… when I started moving the rocks, I was told by a few of the men that I shouldn’t move rocks, I should move the buckets of dirt… so I did. But when I started carrying the bucket in front of me as apposed to holding the handle I was told to not do that- I must carry the bucket by the handle because it is not good for my health… and by my health I think they meant the health of my ovaries since as the man was telling me it was bad he kept motioning to his belly, or maybe they meant for the health of my back, I’m not really sure- which I found amusing but slightly annoying since they wouldn’t let me carry rocks and now they were telling me how to hold a bucket.

But it was interesting, and the scenery was lovely. We found lots of ceramic pieces and animal bones and the head archeologist found a little piece of what used to be a bracelet someone wore centuries ago!

This entry originally appeared on Tatjana's blogsite: http://tatjanacrossley.wordpress.com/

Six weeks in Armenia...Volunteering

Kareen Boyadjian
USA

Six weeks ago, countless thoughts were circulating in my head as I was driving to LAX to finally embark on my trip to Yerevan, Armenia. The preparations were made, including living arrangements, work appointments, orientation dates, and a collection of relatively generic, yet comforting thoughts of what I expected to participate in throughout the trip. However, in hindsight, all the planning and imaginary expectations couldn’t possibly have prepared me for such an inconceivable experience.

When I first reached Yerevan, I was not aware of how prominent the language barrier was. Back in Los Angeles, I attended an Armenian school for 15 years and so I believed my language experience was more than necessary to get by in Yerevan. My assumption could not have been more incorrect. It was when I first heard the lightning speed at which the locals spoke, and the effortless insertions of Russian slang that led to me believe the language may take some getting used to. Furthermore, it took close to a week to easily understand the great majority of daily conversation that took place in my work environment and otherwise.

Daily wardrobe, on the other hand was a little more difficult getting used to. Coming from Southern California, I’m used to the daily uniform consisting of jeans, a t-shirt with converse all-stars of every color. Once again, I could not have been more wrong. In Yerevan, the daily wardrobe consists of tight jeans, skirts, frilly tops and high heels. In rain or shine, through potholes and up multiple flights of stairs, high heels must be worn at all times, and any other type of footwear, signals “tourist.” At that point, one might as well be wearing a gigantic camera around their neck with a map in their hands and a LA Dodgers baseball cap.

Things to note when first arriving to Armenia:

Do not have expectations

Try to have an Eastern Armenian friend with you at all times… they really come in handy!

If you’re a Western Armenian speaker, remember, “gor = oom em,” “yao = eli,” “hajees = khntrem” “T = D” “K = G” “P = B” “S = Z” “ooghigh = straight”

In the work place, it is okay to work at a slower pace… everyone does. (don’t slack off though)

Getting the Armenian menu – the biggest compliment
Getting the English menu – slight insult (you’re probably wearing sneakers)

Work environment is very much similar to a family environment… don’t be so serious

SAS Supermarket delivers!

You will always different because you look different, speak different and act different… instead of imitating them, observe them, and embrace the differences.

Everyone stares… it’s okay, it’s not because there is something in your teeth

Always carry manr’s (change)… everyone hates making change

Kareen Boyadjian is volunteering with ReAnimania Film Festival.

Getting Started

Tigran Khatchikyan
USA

When I landed in Hayastan, I saw my papik, tatik, keri, the staff from the Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC) and Birthright Armenia and my homestay father, who is also Deaf. My grandparents were kissing and hugging me as if they had not seen me for a long time. The staff, the host father and I were introduced to one another. My host father’s name is Frunzik. He welcomed us all to his home.

After everyone left expect Frunzik and me, I talked with Frunzik. After a few hours, I went to the Deaf Center and met Shari, the AVC director, Grgor, who is the director of the Deaf Center, and some of the other people who work at the Deaf Center.

The next day I went to the AVC and Birthright Armenia for an orientation with Shari, Sevan Kabakian, the Director of Birthright Armenia, and two other volunteers who had come from Canada.

I have not started to volunteer at the Deaf Center; however, in the two weeks period, I have participated in many activities with Birthright Armenia, such as a basketball game with volunteers, and several excursion including to Noravank and Khor Virap monasteries, and Areni village. I met the Defense Minister of Armenia. And, I went on a four day excursion to Artsakh (Karabakh).

Although I have not started working at the Deaf Center, I have been volunteering at the AVC office. I am looking forward to working at the Deaf Center as soon as possible because I am ready to start volunteering!

Last Recap with SunChild Rebecca

Rebecca Kandilian
USA

As usual, lots of highs and lows but overall a great week in the Syunik region.

Also, this time around I was able to squeeze in a trip with the fellow volunteers to Gharapagh. Unlike most other volunteers, I have not really been in one place enough to make or maintain any sort of a contact with the other volunteers. It had also been a while since I had socialized with folks my age but I quickly found likeminded people and made some long lasting friendships. But, socializing with coworkers and natives is quite an experience itself. For the past two months, I have been away from any and all comfort zones, with locals, no prejudgment, no familial relations, nothing just them and Rebecca. And, to be able to keep your ground, stay true to yourself, do what you’re supposed to and for them to understand and appreciate it all builds character. So, as my professor used to always say ‘try it (volunteering outside of Yerevan and Gyumri) you might like it’.

After spending the weekend with the other volunteers, I rejoined the green bus folks and two days later we drove back to Yerevan. I return to Los Angeles in two days. Million dollar question: How do you feel? Very grateful. Yes, there were as much lows as there were highs but that is part of the process and it is quite unrealistic to expect otherwise. In a weird way, looking back, I am thankful for those lows too because without them some things may have not accomplished.

I must now thank AVC and BR staff for their support and also YOU for reading. Should you have any questions, comments about my volunteer experience or otherwise please feel free to contact me directly at rkandilian@gmail.com.

This Armenian Life: In Volunteers We Trust

This Armenian Life: In Volunteers We Trust

By Edna Baghoumian
Reprinted from hetq.am

What Is The Armenian Volunteer Corps?

I Googled the above and the following result appeared: “Armenian volunteer units or Armenian volunteer corps were Armenian battalions in Russian and British armies during the World War I. “Armenian battalions” [a perfect title for my subject] – “an army of volunteers that organizes change” which could not be a more appropriate description for all the volunteers who come from every corner of the world to Armenia to help.

But this new “battalion” or “army of volunteers” which is headquartered here in Yerevan at AVC, was founded in 2000 by the visionaries Jason Dermerjian (now Der Hovnan Dermerjian), Thomas Samuelian and Tamar Hajian.

“We have over 300 AVC alumni – individuals who served Armenia via volunteering in schools, non-profit organizations, public foundations, institutions and businesses,“ said Sharistan Melkonian, AVC’s director, “but we need more – this is a call for more adult volunteers.”

AVC acts as a volunteer’s “job shop.” Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age. There is no upper age limit, so more mature volunteers who are fit, healthy and willing would be warmly welcome to apply. If one wishes to be considered as a volunteer, you would need to commit to serve in Armenia for at least one month or for any period up to 12 months. Dependent on your skills and personal interests/preferences, you would be placed with appropriate organizations wherever these organizations may be in Armenia. Volunteers work on a wide variety of projects – from working with children or young people to giving “hands on” assistance to conservation projects or to campaigns for the protection of the environment. Volunteers make a vital contribution to all aspects of community life. The diversity of opportunities for voluntary work is limitless.

Meet the Pro at the Command Center

Sharistan Melkonian has been the Director of the Armenian Volunteer Corp since 2009. She moved with her family to Armenia from Boston to be part of this remarkable new wave of repatriation.

Shari says, “Volunteers can do almost anything!“ and “We need you!”

The Army

Twenty one year old health volunteer, Zack Dyer, is from the USA and is AVC’s poster child for being a unique individual with a keen passion to serve Armenia. He is the son of an Armenian mother and an African American father. Zack said, “Volunteerism has always been very important to me and [I] decided to spend the summer volunteering in a place where it meant a lot.” He commutes daily by “marshutkas” (local minivan taxis) from his host family’s home to the Gyumri “Healthy Center”.

He is working on organizing first aid classes for children dealing with summertime first aid concerns and putting together CPR classes for adults to provide emergency help to those with cardiovascular problems. He is also involved in preparing a proposal for application for a grant to fund the building of a bigger building for the center. His supervisor explained how easy it has been to work with Zack even though he does not speak the Armenian language and described Zack as “an extremely intelligent young man we are honored to work with.”

The agriculture volunteer, Nouny Benchimol, 21, is an Agronomy student from Montpellier, France. She decided to volunteer in Armenia for personal reasons: 1) an important journey of self discovery – her grandfather is Armenian and speaks fluent Armenian – she always wanted to learn about her Armenian origins; 2) she wanted to study the animal breeding practices in Armenia first hand.

Working as an intern at CARD (Center for Agribusiness and Rural Development) and visiting farms around Gyumri to help small farmers to increase food production gives her the opportunity to apply her knowledge where it’s needed and to gain additional experience of different farming and food production methods that are in practice in Armenia.

Environment volunteer, Ohannes Markarian, 21, comes from Jordan. He is passionate about environmental issues.

He decided to visit Armenia as a volunteer rather than as a tourist. He works with different NGOs involved with environmental issues and is also busy writing a children’s book in Armenian.

Business development volunteer, Tatjana Crossley, 21, is a Senior at Rice University in Texas. Her mother is Armenian. She wants to learn about Armenia, devote her time doing voluntary work and to put her knowledge to good use where it may be needed most. She is excited to be part of the work being carried out on an architectural project in Gyumri called the Techno Park – working on the on-going research and development to make this important project come to life in the very near future.

Education volunteer, Saro Danalian, 21, is from Los Angeles. Saro is working with Armenian Young Lawyers Association in Gyumri as an interpreter and he also teaches English to the other employees at the office. He said that the idea to do voluntary work in Armenia was inspired by his Jewish friends most of whom left for Israel once they reached the age of 16 in order to help their country. He was keen to do the same for his country and made the necessary enquiries and learned about AVC and Birthright Armenia (Depi Hayk in Armenia).

Birthright Armenia (Depi Hayk in Armenia) is AVC’s partner organization which sponsors volunteers from many different volunteer organizations with the travel fellowship and host family living arrangements as well as organizing unique excursions, language classes, forums, and much more. This organization makes the experience of the volunteers worthwhile and rewarding. Depi Hayk strongly believes in global participation in Armenia’s social, cultural and economic development.

I have met so many dedicated volunteers, like Valeria Cherekian, 32, of Argentina, who recently completed her three months’ voluntary service in Armenia. As an accomplished singer, she decided to work with the Little Singers of Armenia and the Centro Hispano. She also fulfilled her lifelong ambition to record songs, here, in Armenia.

Another such volunteer is mid-career professional architect, Lilly Djaniants, 30, from New York. Born in Baku, she decided to return to Armenia after 18 years abroad and spend two months volunteering. She is currently involved with three projects: helping with the initial design and planning for a tourist information center in the heart of Yerevan with the National Competitiveness Foundation; assisting the TUMO Creative Technologies Center to design a children’s park at the edge of the city; and working with a team of architects and urban planners on the initial designs for a Techno-park in Gyumri.

Why Volunteer to Work in Armenia? Armenia needs you and public spirited people like you. This country also needs skilled people and volunteers from all professions to come here to help with the immense work that needs to be done and to help this country to grow and prosper. The volunteer organizations need you to come and be, for however short a while, a part of life here in Armenia. When you then return to your own community – be it in Los Angeles or Buenos Aires or elsewhere – the hope is that your experiences will be encouragement and inspiration to like-minded Armenians in your community to follow your good example.

Before volunteers leave Armenia to return to their respective countries of residence, they are asked if they have a complaint about their voluntary work experience in Armenia. The invariable response is a big smile and the words “I just wish I could do more.” What spirit!

10 Things I Hate/Love About You

Zach Dyer
USA

10 things that regularly annoy me about Armenia:

1. dairy
2. not knowing what hunger feels like anymore, but always being thirsty
3. the supposed difference between the letters գ, վ, and ք
4. that no women sit in the front of a marshrutka even if 20 of them are cramped standing in the back and no one's sitting up front
5. entitled diasporans
6. that if you ask a young person about their dreams, they usually include leaving Armenia
7. superstitions, especially those that are health-related
8. that the english word 'bribe' is more commonly known than the word 'please'
9. trash. everywhere.
10. they make their ice cream with butter

10 things I strangely love about Armenia

1. the fact that no matter who I talk to, after "where are you from, are you armenian, how long are you staying," the next question is "are you married" from a woman and "do you like our women?" from a man.
2. marshrutka drivers
3. the fact that saying someone is fat is not insulting, just a description
4. freshly made cherry juice
5. the phrase "problem chgah"
6. how good the tap water tastes
7. the sheep at my bus stop in the middle of the city
8. pomegranate wine
9. that strangers are typically trusted because they typically can be
10. THEY MAKE THEIR ICE CREAM WITH BUTTER!!

Sunday Recap with SunChild Rebecca

Rebecca Kandilian
USA

Blog 8 already…only one more left. I don’t know how I feel about that so we’ll leave it at that.

Change of pace… Here is a list of 5 things I did this week to avoid getting lost in the little details and to focus on the ‘major’ events.

1. The beginning of the week…Off of the Green Bus
-Catch up on sleep and laundry
-Re-fill the bus with gifts, calendars, and supplies for the next trip

2. Meet with potential Sponsor for the Debetavan project
- A fairly positive meeting

3. Lots of text editing in between things…
- Getting pretty good/fast at this

4. Seminar on ‘Networking’ intended for the staff of Ministry of Nature Protection with a rep from Environmental Protection NGOs (i.e. me)
- Communication 101 all over again…
- Met lots of folks from the ministry of Nature Protection
- Got invited to their weekend Getaway out in nature as a NGO rep again

4.5. The Green Bus is being worked on and we cannot leave until next week so I can accept the invitation…

5. Off to Zigitar National Forest with the Ministry
- Surrounded by like minded and highly educated folks, the whole weekend was spent out in the woods, talking about wide array of things including what they each do in the ministry and answering their on-point questions
- Besides the billion mosquito bites, I would say this weekend will go down as one of the more memorable and interesting ones.

Sunday Recap with SunChild Rebecca

Rebecca Kandilian
USA

Sunday 1:09 AM and it’s only been a couple of hours since I’ve been back in Yerevan.

So many things happen in just a day on the green bus that it’s almost impossible to do a one-week recap in less than a page. But, I can always try. Before I left for Lori, ‘Lori’ itself did not mean more than a region on the west side of Tavush. But, after spending a week there, it means a whole lot more—a slew of unfortunate and very serious environmental issues.

Throughout the week, as soon as Sergey and I said we represent Foundation for Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Affairs (FPWC), peoples’ eyes lit up and they poured their hearts out. Lori region is rich in copper-molybdenum deposits which has opened the doors for people (mostly non-natives) to use it to produce copper. Rather, ABuse it as the waste is not disposed of properly. Specifically, the open-pit copper mine in Akhtala faces one of the most beautiful churches I’ve yet visited—such pity. In between the church and the factory runs the Akhtala River. Yes, some of the waste is dumped into the river and the rest left out in the open (instead of being fenced by cement) diffusing all through the town and making its way to the lungs of the locals. Naturally, the animals drink the local now-yellow river water, people eat those animals and you have a problem.

The affects of it all on the inhabitants became apparent when we went to the local kindergarten in Akhtala to do our presentation. Besides the suffocating smell of the chemicals present in the classroom, the dark under eye circles present on the pale faces of the children explained it all (see pic). All 30 of them had them—it’s from the polluted water, and air the staff explained. Does the owner at least provide some support to the school? I asked. She pointed to the old worn out carpet—enough (not) said.

The copper produced in Akhtala is sold for much money in England we were told and the workers here don’t even get lunch breaks. What money can make people do. Or, what people do for money. By now, I think it’s pretty clear that I have a soft spot when it comes to kids and seeing those kids’ eyes and in such poor conditions and at the same time knowing that it’s mainly a result of greed and material gains just made me sick to my stomach.

Besides Akhtala, we visited 8 other villages. Most had the same problem as Akhtala and those that did not have a copper mine debated about allowing or disallowing the establishment of one. A no-brainer in my opinion.

In a couple of days, after much rest and laundry, we will leave again to go to the Syunik region.

(Apologies for the delay this week. We had some Internet challenges.)