When I was applying for Youth Corps I had no idea what I was getting myself into. To me, Youth Corps did the unimaginable . I left my comfort zone and got put into a room with six strangers. I had never thought how impossibly easy it would be to live with six people who I had never met before. Even though we have been together for two weeks, I feel as though we have become a family. We learn to work with what we have, look out for each other, and help one another discover ourselves. The reason behind this lies within our passion. The passion we have for Youth Corps, our homeland, our history, and for the future of Armenia and Karabagh. We are all united for one reason: to make an impact and build a bridge of communication between the diaspora and the homeland.

As the first week of camp in Stepanakert comes to an end, I am dissappointed that we only have one more week to spend with the kids. I have made such a connection with the kids at camp that I want to devote more time to them and inspire them in the way that they have inspired me.  They fill me with strength as each child hugs and kisses me good bye at the end of every camp. In all of honesty, I was skeptical and worried about how I was going to handle over a hundred kids, but as soon as I stepped into the classroom, things happened naturally.  I look forward to each camp day because these camps give me a purpose and a something to fight for. They give me hope for the future of Armenia and Karabagh. Some may define happiness in monetary values and materialistic objects, but to me waking up every morning and seeing the kids at camp is worth more than a million.

Mane Khachatryan

By Nanor Bozoyan

It all suddenly made sense the second I stepped foot into the “Tiv Yergoo” elementary school on Monday morning for the very first time. All the kind words, helpful advice, and built-up excitement given to me by previous Youth Corps members and group leaders began to come alive as we began our camp in Stepanagert. The kids’ consistent enthusiasm, forward and impatient introductions, and humble personalities left a great first impression upon me, of how amazing the next few weeks of my life are to be.

My now sore limbs and heavy eyelids suddenly all became worthwhile, upon seeing the excitement in these kids’ eyes. I will probably never forget my first impression of the eight year old boy who suddenly decided to point to me and began shouting to me his intricate riddles in hopes to outsmart me. After really thinking long and hard (no, honestly I really tried) he told me his brilliant answers, and from then on he became my sidekick/best friend. Of course, I was rest assured it was meant to be, because upon splitting up into color groups for competitions, he was the first to be called into my group.

Our first order of business was to create distinct and original chants for our groups. I now find myself barely able to get a word in, between all the amazing suggestions of rhymes with such powerful meanings, that I really had to take a step back and thought about the meanings behind these chants. Not only did I realize how strongly these kids feel about their country and their people, I also realized that if by any chance Artsakh’s seize-fire were to turn into any sort of war, these children are our future front-line soldiers, nurses or doctors, political leaders, etc.

Every drop of blood in their body truly bleeds for their tiny bit of land they can proudly call their own. This characteristic rooted within the core of each and every child, truly was an eye-opening experience to me because after a heavy first week in Yerevan, I was a bit shaken up. After seeing various martyred soldier’s tombs, having encounters with precious loved ones of these soldiers, and even just being in an environment where you wake up to see Mt. Ararat standing so stern and close to the city and yet so far away from our reach, truly struck home. Coming to Artsakh and interacting with these kids really gave me a sense of hope and enlightenment, that the sacrifice of our beloved soldiers brought such an inspirational effect to the future generation of the Armenian race, particularly within the homeland.

Now, only four days into meeting these children on the very first day of camp, I sit in the open playground with three little girls braiding my hair while singing Armenian patriotic songs, and a little boy frantically expressing to me his disappointment for the heartbreaking loss in the game of  “steal the bacon”, all while trying to find a moment to spare to write this blog. Within this short period of time, I have realized really how large of an impact our camp makes on these children. I cannot take three steps on the campground without having a little girl come hold my hand. I have kids begging and pleading for the hours and number of days of the camp to be extended. I have already been thoroughly interrogated about next summer’s plans to come back to Kharapakh for camp; just to give a few examples.

I feel as if a part of me has been stowed away inside all of this time as I spend my days staying contsantly determined to understand the beyond difficult Kharapaghtsi dialect (still working on it!), run our beloved camp with fellow Gharapaghtsi AYF members, rewarding myself on the walk back home from camp with some Grand Candy “marojhni,” as well as making my home with my amazing Youth Corps group members in our lovely Babo’s home-stay, along with her family, a Sooryatsi businesssman, an out-of-the-truck meat salesman with his “Kikor” apprentice, as well as a handsome team of eight year-old soccer players with their trainer. (Yes, we all share one bathroom.)

Against all differences, setbacks, or discomforts I have come across thus far, I can honestly say that I wake up every morning facing a new adventure and every moment is one to look forward to. I am truly greatful for this experience, and most definitely look forward to making a difference here at Kharapagh and later in Gyumri as well.
But until then, enjoy some of my personal favorite chants from the best BLUE group in the history of forever! :]

“Zavagnern enk Artsakhi,
Meroojhani toomani,
Oonenk hastat tsurakir,
Hye Tadi ganonakir,
Knaloo enk menk Javakhk,
Himneloo enk medz panag,
Getseh hbard Javakhtsin,
Kordz chi himar Vratsin.”

“Mardooni oo Martagerd,
Askeran Stepanagerd,
Knank Shooshi kef anenk,
Jengelov hats oo tuti arakh,
Parov yegak mer Kharapagh.”

Day 3 was so much smoother than the first two days. I love how the children wait for us every morning with enthusiasm. When we get out of our cars, they all start chanting their colors and running towards us to give us hugs and high fives.

This morning, Unger Caspar taught them a new A.R.F  ‘ganch’, and almost instantly the campers picked it up and started chanting. It gave me goose bumps.

The other counselors and I have organized the days so well that everything is running smoothly. At first I thought that being in a classroom would be too chaotic, but the most important part of these children’s day is learning something new. They love the English lessons. Of course they misbehave in the classroom, but when it actually comes down to it, they are completely interested.

We, as counselors, have already gotten the flow of things and every afternoon after camp we talk about what went good and what we can do to improve any rough edges.

Although I must maintain an authoritarian role to keep the camp running calmly, I’m happy that I’m making a difference in these children’s life. Even though at times I wish there were more of us in charge of all these children who wait all year long for these two weeks of camp, the entire day is filled with the kid’s excitement, and you could tell in their eyes that they’re happy because their energy tells us so. Not only do we all see and feel this happiness, the children constantly remind us that they’re so happy to be here, and that gives me motivation to wake up in the morning and go to camp with a smile on my face every single day.

Siroon Parseghian

This is my first time in Hayastan, and my first time joining Youth Corps. I definitely have bottled up feelings of everything: happiness, sadness, excitement. I must admit I was nervous before starting Youth Corps, even though I’ve worked with children before.  People had painted a very particular picture of what to expect when I arrived in Armenia however, once we pulled in the school on the first day of camp, and saw those kids outside waiting impatiently for our arrival, I thought to myself: “asonk en mer hay bzdignereh,” (these are our Armenian children).

Immediately, I thought that all I wanted to do is play with them, and spend time with them. When we walked to the fields to play a game and we were singing “mer hayrenik” on the streets of Gyumri, one of the children pulled me aside and asked if I had done this before and I answered, “no, why?,” she said “because you are very dedicated”, and I replied “I’m dedicated because I love you all.”

The children of Gyumri don’t even have running water to drink in the school, yet they’re so excited and ready to play and spend time with us daily. It warms my heart and opens up my eyes and makes me realize all the things we take advantage of in Los Angeles.
The fact that Unger Caspar didn’t deny any child to participate in our camp, even though we are understaffed and lack sufficient supplies to facilitate the number of children, brought instant happiness to my heart. All he said was, “well figure it out.”

Today we had about 180 people in the hall of the school with no electricity to play music from an ipod for “butt volleyball.” Ungeroohi Siroon, who had no piano background, was playing the piano for the game. Talk about improvising.

Nothing or nobody’s comments will affect me in a negative way during this experience. Every day I turn around to my teammates and I say, “we’re in Hayasdan,” and this was only day 2 of 5 more weeks.

Talar Ghazelian