A Message to Our Youth Corps Volunteers

Dearest Youth Corps participants,

It is very hard to describe the anxiety, anticipation, and the emotions I know all of you may be going through on the eve of your departure. My biggest advice would be to cherish it, embrace it, and don’t take it for granted.

There very rarely is an occasion where individuals have the opportunity to have a direct impact on the lives of others, especially within such a short amount of time. As young Armenians living in the diaspora, we don’t have the connection to our homeland because it is not surrounding us all the time. Participating in this program will only give you a glimpse of the lifestyle of our brothers and sisters. This program is the first step, to what will hopefully be a long term commitment to our homeland.

You are going to learn a lot about yourself, and from our extended family back home. What you are doing is special, life-changing, and emotional. You are going to be entrenched in the day-to-day life of Armenia for six amazing weeks. You will experience one of the purest interactions an individual can ask for, when speaking, singing, and teaching the youngsters at our camp in Gyumri.

I want to wish you the best of luck, and an amazing time. Remember how proud you’ve made your fellow members here, but more so, how much of an impact you are going to have on over a hundred souls over there, as well as the impact that they will have on you.

I, and the entire AYF membership wishes you all the best on your journey.

In Common Cause,
Arek Santikian
AYF-WR  Central Executive Chairman