AYF Youth Corps Participants Arrive In Yerevan

GLENDALE – The Armenian Youth Federation Western Region Garo Madenlian Public Affairs Office announced that the participants of the 2007 AYF Youth Corps program arrived in Armenia on Friday.

The 15 participants, from all over the America, will stay in Armenia and Karabagh during their 45 day trip. Most of their time will be spent renovating a youth center and teaching English and computing to schoolchildren in Stepanakert, the capital of Karabagh. The group members will live life amongst their brethren in our homeland and will see Armenia in a profound way. Participants will have a chance to meet government officials and local Armenian youth in an effort to assist them in the rebuilding process following their liberation struggle and in order to experience life as they do. “I feel very fortunate to be able to participate in a program that not only includes education but also hands on work,” said participant Sose Thomassian.

The Youth Corps program will culminate with participation in the ARF Bureau Youth Jamboree which will take place from August 9th to August 16th. The eight-day Jamboree will serve as a remarkable opportunity for Western Region AYF members to meet AYF members from around the globe, in Armenia.

The AYF Youth Corps program was created after the Karabagh cease-fire in 1994. “Now in its 13th year, it continues to serve our cause by connecting Diasporan youth with their homeland in a meaningful and compelling manner; not simply as a tourist,” stated AYF Central Executive member and Youth Corps alumni Vrej Haroutounian

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) has grown to become the largest and most influential Armenian American youth organization; with chapters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world. Inspired by our past and motivated by the needs of the future, the AYF actively strives to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of all Armenian youth.