Armenian Volunteer Corps

Welcome to the Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC) blog. Here our volunteers and alumni reflect on their experiences living and volunteering in Armenia. For more information about our programs, visit our website www.armenianvolunteer.org, follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Armenianvolunteer or drop us an email: info@avc.am .

Monday, July 30, 2012

El Voluntariado Como Camino


Ya en Uruguay, a una semana de mi regreso, me tomo un momento para poner los pies sobre la tierra y evaluar los sucesos que han revolucionado el transcurso de mis días. Ser voluntaria me hizo transitar un camino del que no puedo -ni quiero- regresar.

Mi trabajo durante tres meses en HomelandHandicrafts fue sumamente interesante y enriquecedor.
Puedo separar el análisis en varias líneas.

En primer lugar, el aporte desde mi profesión -Secretaria Ejecutiva- fue altamente gratificante y hoy estoy convencida de que durante el tiempo en que allí trabajé, amplié mis capacidades. Podrá decirse que el trabajo que una secretaria puede hacer en una oficina en Armenia no resulta desafiante.
Pero si nos enfocamos en la básica condición de los registros, archivos, sistemas de administración, grandes pueden ser los aportes. Si a eso le sumamos la gran confianza de un supervisor-compañero (Tim Straight, un “no armenio” más armenio que muchos “ian”)  que está siempre listo y abierto para escuchar los aportes e ideas que podamos tener, la recompensa se duplica, y se motiva la toma de decisiones.

La otra línea de análisis es mucho más amplia y enriquecedora. No hubiera tenido la oportunidad de vincularme con un proyecto de este tipo si no fuera por Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC). Y esto deriva en conocer cómo es la vida de las mujeres responsables de los maravillosos productos que Homeland Handicrafts ofrece. No sólo ofrece; sino que asiste, asesora, y contribuye.
Mujeres que habitan lugares donde la palabra “esperanza” había pasado de moda. Y sin embargo, haciendo uso de un conocimiento que todas poseen, y tan antiguo casi como desde el tiempo de sus tatarabuelas, desarrollan un trabajo a su medida. Han encontrado una forma de trabajar sin descuidar la crianza y cuidado de sus hijos, y teniendo un ingreso para el futuro de los mismos. La satisfacción se ve en sus rostros, y las ganas de seguir adelante son infinitas.

Nunca olvidaré mi experiencia como voluntaria de AVC en Armenia, porque me ha permitido conocer realmente el país de mis bisabuelos, con sus virtudes y aspectos a mejorar.

Nadie que tenga la posibilidad que tuvimos y tenemos los voluntarios de AVC debería desaprovecharla. Estoy convencida de que hay ciertas decisiones que se toman con una cuota de riesgo, y esas mismas son -en general- las más gratificantes.

Esta experiencia me ha demostrado -con hechos- que una Armenia con un futuro dichoso y llena de oportunidades es posible;y que, somos nosotros en parte responsables de que eso suceda.

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Friday, June 15, 2012

An Unexpected Opportunity


by Alexander Azizian
(USA)


Volunteering has always been a long time idea I wanted to look into. But I thought I knew nothing, I had no solid education, and I was just 21. What could I do for someone? Then one day I completely overlooked what I do know; that I did not think was important, sports.

I have been fencing for some time and although I am no grand master or anything, I can still teach the basics. Alas through Armenian Volunteer Corps and Birthright Armenia I was able to get into a Fencing School in Armenia to teach fencing to the small children here. The children are so fun and energetic; they really burrow into your heart when you work with them. The teachers here are great, but the Western ideas and tactics are not taught here and with me here teaching it, it does nothing but benefit everyone. This is truly a dream, not only do I get to work with the small children; I can also train with the National Team! They are also sharing their wisdom and teaching me some new tips and tricks I never heard of before.

Every detail of what I have or know goes a long way here down to the exercises, stretches, and mentality of it all. Although Armenians are sometimes stubborn when it comes to learning things they think they know, I have been creative and found ways to subtlety creep in. The language barrier is not that strong here in sports too, despite my lack of full knowledge for the language. Sports are a mere “monkey see, monkey do” game, it is no different in my situation.

The most rewarding moments happen to take place every day. One of the national team members was heading into competition, and they were missing an important part for their weapon. I just so happen to have an extra piece! One of the students couldn't take classes with the key coaches because of the time schedule; I was able to help this student out due to my time flexibility.

In conclusion, I would say that the kids are so well disciplined; they respect you the way they talk and listen to you. The expressions, the words they use, and the gratitude you receive, are all extremely inspiring.






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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Sunday Recap with SunChild Rebecca


Rebecca Kandilian (USA): A Freak of Nature

Green is ‘in’. Or, so I thought. Well, it is certainly ‘in’ at the office I used to work at. Forth floor of Alan Hancock Foundation Building, at University of Southern California (Go Trojans!) located in the heart of Los Angeles. A place where the use of plastic bags is an absolute taboo and leaving a light on after leaving a room is a crime (not sure if it’s a felony or a misdemeanor). And, really, who uses plastic bottles? As a student worker, I gained the respect of my much older colleagues by replacing my plastic water bottle with a stainless steel canteen one. But, based on four days of observing life in Yerevan, green does not seem to be THAT ‘in’. It is however making its way -- slowly but surely. One of the biggest proofs of just that is the establishment of the organization by the name of SunChild; hence the terribly creative title of my blog. SunChild is a project established by the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets. Now, for the next nine weeks I will be working for SunChild. Frankly, I do not know a whole lot about their projects and I am not yet sure what I will be doing exactly. But, I will make sure to inform and provide a recap of what I do during the week on Sundays. Do I expect everyone to develop hatred towards plastic bags and their cars at the end of my nine weeks? Absolutely not! I hope to do something that will someday somehow in someway make something better or NOT. I can only do my best and hope for best; a good philosophy to live by if you ask me.

Now, since I have not yet started to work and arrived here on Wednesday (May 19th), I have had a couple of days to explore. Soon after my arrival, my host family (i.e. the family I’m staying with for the moment) handed me a map so I can familiarize myself with the city. I couldn’t help but gaze my eyes towards the green and blue areas—representing parks and lakes respectively. What a disgrace right? But, we have these beautiful Hrabaraks people would tell me. But, we also have these beautiful parks has been my answer. I mean how can you turn down the beauty nature offers? I can’t. Anyway, my host cousin asked me where I wanted to explore. I told him “Bnutiun shat em sirum”. Basically, I’m a freak of nature. He responded with something along the lines of “the feeling is mutual”. Off we went to the Children’s Railway. Now, allow me to explain as you may say what would a 22 year old do in a Children’s Railway? It is actually a partial misnomer as it is not just a park with a chu-chu train. It has this beautiful greenery with a river running right through it where Garen and I sat for a while discussing a wide array of topics with the sound of the water fall keeping us company. I wish the cousin did not smoke but that’s a whole another story…

Well, that’s all for this week’s blog.

I thank you for reading. If interested, be sure to check back next Sunday night for another ‘Sunday Recap with SunChild Rebecca’. By then, I wish to have visited more of those green areas on my map and have learned more about what I will be doing during the coming weeks at SunChild.

Thanks again for reading and don’t forget to recycle!

Tune in next week because Sunday Recap with SunChild Rebecca will be appearing on Sundays for the next several weeks!

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