600 volunteers from 38 countries - the volunteering corps, which has been functioning in Armenia for already 15 years, has rich practice and a long list of volunteers. The idea to introduce the practice of experts around the world into Armenia belongs to the Armenian Volunteer Corps. The Executive Director of the Corps and some of the volunteers have shared their volunteering “recipe” with Mediamax.

dossier

DOSSIER

The Armenian Volunteer Corps was founded in 2000. The organization was initially engaged in only long-term volunteering, but the changes made over the years enabled short-term volunteering as well. Engaging experienced experts in long-term volunteering was not an easy task, and therefore the organization started offering short-term volunteering, too. more

The Armenian Volunteer Corps was founded in 2000. The organization was initially engaged in only long-term volunteering, but the changes made over the years enabled short-term volunteering as well. Engaging experienced experts in long-term volunteering was not an easy task, and therefore the organization started offering short-term volunteering, too.

The Volunteer Corps cooperates with Depi Hayk (Birthright Armenia) organization. The volunteers are mainly non-Armenians or Armenians above the age of 30 residing abroad.

The volunteers choose diverse areas – from social to agricultural and community development. Especially high is the number of applications for volunteering in the sphere of art, culture and IT. Some are seeking purely professional work.

 

Executive Director of the Armenian Volunteer Corps Tania Chichmanian says

Photo: Mediamax

Experts from France, India, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, Iran and England are currently volunteering in Armenia. Last year we welcomed our first volunteers from Mexico, Czech Republic and Egypt. There are volunteers who expressed their wish to come to Armenia for the second time. Some of them have even moved to Armenia. A Polish girl who volunteered in Armenia for two months three years ago, contacted Armenia and moved here around 18 months ago. Two volunteers from Egypt and Canada did the same.

Why exactly Armenia? We have rich practice in pulling volunteers to Armenia. I should happily state that very often volunteers themselves are interested in Armenia.

One of our volunteers who came to Armenia from Mexico opted for our country simply because of his birthday and a task he was assigned in his graduate class. The young man born on April 24 was to study genocides and it is how he came to know about the Armenian Genocide. Years later he decided to complete his last study stage doing research in Armenia and thus, came here as a volunteer. The search engines prompted to the Armenian Volunteer Corps.

A Czech volunteer who was schooled in France stayed in an Armenian dormitory. The large library there opened to him the culture and history of Armenia due to which he decided to come to Armenia after completing studies and engage in volunteering for some time.

Volunteers are accommodated by host families. Volunteers mainly stay in families as it’s a more affordable option and other than that, there is direct communication with people owing to which volunteers easily adapt to the society and quickly learn the language. 

The volunteering geography is diverse in Armenia; volunteers do not focus on the capital only. Volunteers choose to stay in capital Yerevan mainly during winter but when the weather gets warmer they also opt for the regions. Presently there is only one person volunteering outside of Yerevan – the volunteer is in Vanadzor and works with children.

Among regional cities, volunteers primarily pick Gyumri and Vanadzor. They also choose Artsakh – long-term volunteers who have already gained certain practice and know Armenian leave for Artsakh. They work with various organizations and in various areas such as education, art and culture. Artsakh has welcomed volunteer-photographers, designers, translators and teachers.

The Corps is going to increase the number of volunteers in 2015. The professional volunteering program aims to bring volunteers aged 32 and above to Armenia for a period of two weeks to a year. The program seeks to introduce grave vocational practice in Armenia.

Another program known as Voluntourism will take people to the places of interest of Armenia where they will be involved in volunteering activities for a few days. It grants an opportunity to arrive in Armenia with families for a period of 12 days. We are planning to take these volunteers to border villages.

We are discussing ways to attract volunteers in order to expand our activities. Raising awareness via media and social websites is our principal option. We are also cooperating with Armenian centers and universities abroad. Foreign educational programs render huge support to us.

James Glover, 26, United Kingdom

Photo: Mediamax

I came to Armenia as a volunteer for 10 months – from November 2014 till August 2015. I volunteered at Tumo Center for Creative Technologies and Armenian National Engineering Laboratory (ANEL). I am currently working on two projects at the College of Science and Engineering at the American University of Armenia (AUA).

I had decided to volunteer but had yet not found the country where I would love to. I came to Armenia as I have an Armenian friend owing to whom I had increasing interest to this country. Before volunteering I had been here a few months before and stayed at my friend’s place for a week.

I am now learning Armenian but I am yet not able to speak well. Owing to my volunteering work, I communicate with various people from Armenia and abroad, carry out various tasks and study the Armenian culture. It’s a wealth of experience for me.

Gayane Gyunkhandanyan, 32, Canada

Photo: Mediamax

I was born in Armenia but at the age of 16 I moved to Canada with my parents. I long wanted to return and have another view of my motherland. I came here for four months and my volunteering period is coming to its end but I do not want to leave. I have once already extended the term.

I was born in Armenia and grew up here. I had “tasted” Armenia and this bond is eternal. The situation gave me a chance to return. 2015 is an important year and I had to be here.

I volunteered at “Reanimania” 6th International Animation Film Festival, “Manana” Youth Center and “Tsil Busats” Children's Harmonious Development Center. I deliver sand animation classes for children, hold drawing classes at educational centers and teach classical music, fine art and history.

To me, volunteering means being in the right place at the right time. I get positive emotions at seeing a child enlightened when getting an answer to their questions and learning something new. 

Arshak Karsavaryan (Karoglu), 40, Australia

Photo: Mediamax

I came to volunteer in Armenia for seven months – from November 2014 till June 2015. I work at “Instigate”. We are developing unmanned aerial vehicles. I picked engineering as a second specialty and decided to gain professional practice in Armenia. Long searches yielded a result – I found a relevant work. I am presently attending Armenian language courses and I can speak a little bit now.

Work is highly segregated in Australia. You can engage in a work of your particular specialty only. The practices of these two countries greatly vary – if you are a designer in Australia, you cannot work in the sphere of electronics. Armenia has broad opportunities for foreigners to try something new and enrich their knowledge.

Marie Tarian

Photos by Emin Aristakesyan