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“Chek Marseloo”

Yesterday was a very emotional day for me, as I participated in a protest in Armenia for the first time. The circumstances are as follows:

Two weeks ago, on June 17, I landed in Yerevan, overwhelmed to be back home. Little did I know, upon my arrival, 3 military doctors were brutally beaten at Harsnakar Restaurant, which is owned by one of Armenia’s very well connected parliamentarians. Two of the three were badly injured and unfortunately one of them, Vahe Avetyan, was murdered.

A mix of mourners and protesters gathered in front of the restaurant to express their anger, frustrations, pain, and utter disillusionment with the current situation.  Hundreds of candles were lit, the walls were smeared with the words “oligarchi hantsakordz,” “sbantanots,” and “chek marseloo.” The crowd passionately chanted the likes of “martasban” “baykar” and “amot” as they confronted the police keeping them from entering the building.

This senseless murder was a perfect example of the unchecked “goshd-gobid” behavior of Armenia’s oligarchy. It has come to the point that these people use and abuse their power knowing that, most likely, some fake measure of “justice” is the worst they will have to deal with. Simply stated, the rule of law does not exist in Armenia when it comes to its oligarchic class of thugs.

Throughout the protest, I felt as though I was on an emotional rollercoaster. I had pain in my heart and nothing but anger on my mind. I couldn’t believe the amount of people that showed up and protested furiously no matter how intensely the rain poured down on them. I honestly was expecting a much smaller turnout, however I was truly inspired by my surroundings. The biggest question going through my mind and the mind of the other protesters was “How can an Armenian kill another Armenian so senselessly?” No matter how tragic the circumstances are, I feel as though the people of Armenia are taking a step in the right direction by standing up for their humanitarian rights and working towards a better future no matter what the odds are against them.

Hoory Minoyan

 

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Flipping the Switch – Real Investment with an Added Level of Real

The switch flips alright, but it flips on its own. The second my journey to the homeland began, no amount of waiting in airplanes and airports could phase me. I feel like Balotelli on steroids, a Euro saved from doom, an Occupy Mashdots Park and Save Teghut gone viral into every corner and every mind of the country.

With that said, I landed three days ago and have been pouncing around Armenia frantically getting everything in order. The beauty of this year’s Youth Corps is in its constant move toward real connections and real effects. Almost all of our materials for this year’s program are being purchased here in Armenia. Our program books are being printed here, our t-shirts are coming hot off the press from Mineh Printing down the street from the hrabarag, we bought our sports gear, paper, pens, and other supplies all from local Armenian businesses. Our participants have been coming in one by one, with some already here working with Birthright Armenia, and others spending quality time with their relatives. We plan on officially getting the entire group into motion July 2nd, once all of our participants have arrived in Armenia.

The sheer thought of being able to influence over 600 kids in a matter of six weeks is sending adrenaline through my body like no other. The connections we’re going to make with the land, the people, the customs and life lessons we’re going to learn through our interactions, the civil society building, getting the idea of the real value of one’s vote across to a turned-off country, the sharing of ideas, the power of our interactions are all a few days away from materializing into yet another successful summer of progress.

So long for now, you’ll be hearing from my teammates as the group gets together to officially launch our program.

Genatsnoot,

Berj Parseghian

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AYF Attends IUSY World Congress 2012

The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) recently participated in the three-day World Congress of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) in Asunción, Paraguay. IUSY is the biggest political youth organization in the world, representing about 150 member organizations from more than 100 countries. IUSY is the youth wing of the Socialist International, bringing together the socialist, social democratic and labor political youth organizations from around the world that work to enhance principles of democratic socialism, equality, human rights and social justice.

The AYF, as a member organization, exercised its full member status by sending two delegates to the Congress. This year ARF Shant Student Association executive member Nora Kayserianand AYF South America executive member Guillermo Ferraioli Karamanian represented Armenia at the Congress. “This was an opportunity for AYF to share with the rest of the world’s leading youth organizations its mission and activities, while learning from and networking with other socialist parties from around the world,” stated Guillermo.

The World Congress entitled “An Equal World is Possible! Struggling for Democracy and Social Justice for all,” held its opening ceremony at the Parliament, where delegates listened to talks highlighting how the left in Latin America has taken the lead in the fight for democracy. Delegates also had the chance to meet the President of Paraguay, Fernando Lugo. The rest of the weekend was focused on the election of the new leadership, as well as the adoption of the IUSY Global Political Manifesto.

“It was inspiring to meet activists from around the globe who are fighting the same fight. While it is indeed an uphill struggle, we are not alone. Our struggle for democracy and social justice is one of hope and resistance and as long as we continue to fight for what we believe in, we will see change,” said Nora Kayserian.

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The .2%

By: Gev Iskajyan

The 24th of April has come and gone for the 97th time since the Turkish government’s failed attempts to eradicate the Armenian race. That’s 1,164 months since the systematic murder, rape, and deportation of over a million and half Armenians began in the city of Constantinople.

35,405 days of continued denial and billions of dollars spent by the Turkish government to rewrite history.

849,720 hours since hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children marched through the scorching Syrian desert only to meet their end.

Yet we have allocated one day of our entire year to demand justice. Just one day to contain anger, frustration, and the struggle to right a wrong.

Many argue that Armenian efforts for justice have been stagnated by divisions amongst ourselves. However, our limitations are not based on differing ideology or philosophies; but rather priority.

We spend 0.2 percent (1/365) of our entire annual schedule to fight injustice. With those minimal collective efforts we have managed to become one of the most influential lobby groups in the United States. Over 21 Countries and 43 States have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide. Schools and colleges across the world are educating a new generation of youth about the atrocities of 1915. With the majority of us focusing on just one day of events and commemorations, we have achieved so much. Now imagine if we worked with the same passion and fervor for two days out of the year.

This does not highlight our shortcomings or failures but rather our potential.

A single 24 hour span of pride, anger, sadness, and effort is used to condense countless years of suffering and struggle. Protesting in the streets of foreign countries, we do not need the 24th to remind us of the Genocide. We are reminded every day we wake up away from our homeland. A single date does not represent the work of the countless who seek not only recognition but justice. It does not represent the struggle of those who died defending our very existence.

We have gone so far with marginal efforts. From Congressmen and Senators who champion our cause to countries like France who defend our history, our reach is only expanding and our strength is only increasing. Our fight is only beginning.

In an age where technology has made it effortless to organize the masses and bring our individual skills together for a collective good, we are left with no excuses in the pursuit of justice. By organizing and setting our goals beyond a single day of remembrance but on realistic measures of recognition and reparations, we can multiply our growing strength.

We are the architects of our future and the tools we need are laid out for us.

As the 24th of April passes once again, we must remember that the fate of our cause is not determined by time or external forces. It is not determined by the political climate of the United States, or even by the malevolent efforts of the Turkish Government. The fate of our cause is in our hands and our hands only, and it’s going to take more than just one day to turn our fate into reality.

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Alycia McCarthy Shares Her Youth Corps Experience

By: Alycia McCarthy

It was this time last year, that I was contemplating what to do with my summer. I had the opportunity to go on a service trip with my college friends to few countries in Africa. But, I always wanted to participate in a service trip in Armenia. So I started looking at my options, and I came across AYF Youth corps. The opportunity I was able to have last summer became the best experience of my life. I had two things different from the 29 people I traveled to Armenia with. First, I am from the east coast, and most were coming from the west coast, and knew each other. Second, I am half Irish and half Armenian, and I am not fluent in Armenian – not even close. I could barely understand it; and what they speak there is not even the same “Armenian” that my mother speaks (Eastern vs Western). This made me nervous as I got ready to leave for Armenia in July. Spending six weeks in another country where I cannot understand what they were saying can seem a bit frightening. The amount of knowledge, memories, and friends I gained from that experience is something I wouldn’t trade for the world. Anytime we went somewhere, there was always a friend who would come stand next to me and translate what was being said. Anytime we had free time or we had a long bus ride, someone would make sure they sat down next to me and gave me a history lesson. Everyone was so eager to teach and include me in everything that took place on the trip. The deghatzi’s (locals in that area) were also very eager to teach me anything that they could. I developed special relationships with them, and I still keep in touch with them despite the language barrier. One deghatzi in particular learned a bit of English each day from me, as I learned a bit of Armenian each day from her. I urge everyone to consider doing this trip with AYF. If you don’t speak Armenian, don’t worry. Because at the end of the first day there, they will make you feel that you have always belonged there. There is no better feeling than to be able to call home and have a simple conversation with my Metzmama or my Mother and understand what is being said. Thank you AYF for making this possible, thank you deghatzis for making us part of your family, and a special thanks to my group for the memories. You will always be in my heart.

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With the deadline nearing Adrienne Avanesians encourages everyone to apply

By: Adrienne Avanesians

Youth Corps for me was one of the most incredible experiences I have had in my life so far. It was about stepping out of my comfort zone and getting on a plane not knowing what to expect for the next 6 weeks. It was living in a house with 12 strangers and bonding with each one of them. It was an amazing opportunity to live in my country and not be a tourist. It was walking to camp each morning and having these amazing children run up to you and hug you with huge, beautiful smiles on their faces. It was about forming bonds with incredible children. Most importantly, it was about falling in love with my homeland. A day has not gone by where I don’t think about Armenia and the experience I had there with Youth Corp. I can honestly say I have been planning my trip back to Armenia since before I even left Armenia. Youth Corps was an unforgettable experience that I encourage EVERYONE to take advantage of.

With just 2 days left for the application deadline… Don’t hesitate, take the initiative and apply.

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Meghry Achekian shares her experience with Youth Corps

By: Meghry Achekian

Going to Armenia this summer was one of the best choices I’ve ever made. Growing up, over the summers I would always go to AYF camp. Being a camper for about seven years and a counselor for one, I had memorized the daily schedule, and every day the whole camp would be divided into garmeer gabooyd and narunchakooyn to compete. For some of the things at our jampars we did the same thing, so I was reminiscing about AYF camp while these new kids were just learning about the color competition. Every day when we would line up, it was a favorite part of my day to go through the boys and girls lines and get them energized while yelling out “NARUN-CHA-KOOYN !!” The kids would get so excited and it would make me have the biggest smile on my face.

If you love kids, have been to AYF Camp, or never even been to Armenia, apply now! Deadline is March 31st! www.ayfyouthcorps.org/apply

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Youth Corps Participant Nazeli Khodabakhsh Shares Her Story

By: Nazeli Khodabakhsh

Whether it was stepping (literally and figuratively) into things I had never stepped into before in Javakhk, attempting, as a self-proclaimed klutz, to walk on unpaved roads in Gyumri, sleeping on top of a box in a “Gazelle” on the way back from Shushi, jumping off a wall to take a cool picture in Noravank, living with and sharing everything with people I had never met before, visiting places I had never heard about before, or swimming in green water in two different places, Youth Corps 2011 for me was all about new experiences, which could not have happened without the friends I made. “Friends” is just not a strong enough word to describe how I feel about these people, so I refer to them as family. My family is not just the 25 people from the US and Canada who participated in the program, but everyone else we met there as well. It includes the host families who opened their homes to us, the ungerner who opened their lives and experiences to us, making sure this summer was the best it could be not just for the kids, but for us as well, and of course the hundreds of campers we met! We each had a personality that contributed to the craziness of our family. They’ll tell you that I was the clumsy crybaby. I cried for hours every time we left a city because we were leaving part of our family behind. This new family taught me more about myself than I had learned in the 19 years prior to the trip. I now know that I can travel to the other side of the world; live with strangers who after laughing at me for tripping over something for the millionth time will always help me up; climb to the tops of mountains (again, literally and figuratively); work with kids everyday; do laundry with only one unfortunate incident of everyone’s clothes turning green; and, of course, live in Armenia. I didn’t know any of this before the trip, and I learned it all with a little help from my friends.

If you’re ready to form an ever lasting bond and building a family, apply now at www.ayfyouthcorps.org/apply

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Tamar Najarian Shares Her Youth Corps Memory

I chose to share this picture, because it shows the unity between all of us, on the banks of Javakhk’s lakes, looking towards to horizon and making a pledge to never forget any one of our people and to always fight for what is good and right. We are our country’s future and standing there, linked together, we look to be the unbreakable chains that bind our people together. Im anoune Hayasdan e, yeghpors anoune Artsakh, ou krochs anoune Javakhk! If you wish to not only experience Armenia and Artsakh, but Javakhk as well, sign up now for a once in a lifetime opportunity at www.ayfyouthcorps.org/apply hurry, time is running out, 11 days left til the deadline!

– Tamar Najarian –

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