Our last day of camp in Gyumri has already arrived. These last two weeks have flown by, but it feels as if we’ve been here for months. For two weeks we’ve been teaching the children English, giving educationals, learning “heghapokhagan” (revolutionary themed) songs, and playing games. My favorite time of the day is in the morning when we have our opening ceremonies in the “daleej” (gym) singing the Armenian anthem, doing exercises, and listening to the different groups of kids (separated by colors) saying their “ganches” (each group has a unique chant). The change that I’ve seen in the kids from the first day of camp are remarkable. During the first couple days of camp, the kids would take at least ten minutes to line up, but now as soon as they come in, they line up in their colors and make sure their lines are straight so Unger Arek can reward them by letting them go inside first. I now look at the children like my younger brothers and sisters and want the absolute best for every single one of them. Today, two of the boys from our color group came running into our classroom bearing two roses and a bouquet of flowers for Ani, Christine, and I. They explained to me that they woke up extra early and went to their “harevan’s” (neighbor’s) house and asked them for roses from the garden and they picked the rest of the flowers from a small garden on the way to camp. Caught off guard, all I could do was smile and thank them for their kind gesture as that was the sweetest thing anyone’s done for me. In just three weeks 11 people that I just met have become my family. I’ve always been known as the quiet and shy girl, but with every passing day I feel like I’m able to open up even more to my group. From the moment we wake up in the morning until we go to sleep, whatever we do, we do together. We’ve already made so many memories together and we’re only half way through our trip. I can’t wait for all the fun experiences that await us in Proshyan and Artsakh.

Sincerely,
Talin Saklarian

It’s already the 7th day of Jampar and I can’t believe how fast the days are passing by. It feels as though it was just a day or two ago when I was introducing myself and trying to learn all the kids’ names. By now, I have all my students’ names memorized (quite an accomplishment for those who know me). This is because everything feels different here in Gyumri. It’s not just any other group of kids that I’m counseling and working with, but rather my younger brothers and sisters. As cliché as that sounds, it bodes true for me. Although we live thousands of miles apart and have never met before, I feel as though we are from the same family. Although not always cooperative, all of these kids with their crazy ideas and thoughts will always be my younger siblings. Every day, the kids anxiously wait for our arrival, and although some of the counselors may not admit it, we all walk with the same anxiousness to see them. My personal favorite is English class which happens right after breakfast for the Blue Team. I love asking my siblings an English question and hearing them all scream back different responses in English, Russian, Armenian, and of course, that secret language every child creates and is convinced that others will understand.

Come 4 o’clock, as soon as camp ends, I get to spend time with my other family: the 10 other participants and our fearless leader, Arek. It’s clear to anyone who interacts with us for 5 minutes how close we all have gotten. All the awkwardness from the first time we all met is long gone and now we share everything with one another. I’ll admit that at first, the living situation sounded a bit scary… 12 people sharing one bathroom and one shower (which could only be used at certain times during the day). Now, I can’t imagine going to the bathroom and not having to wait in line or being caught in the shower rush. When I say rush I literally mean rush. Anyone who has done Youth Corps in the past knows the shower rules at Deegeen Leelig’s. Hot water goes on, and everyone has to jump in back to back and shower as quickly as possible. Although it sounds like the most difficult thing to manage, we’ve all figured out a fun way to make it work. I love it here.
From Gyumri,

Vahe Aposhian

As our third week in Armenia and our second week of Gyumri Jampar begins, I reminisce about all of the things we have experienced in Armenia thus far. Since this is my first time visiting Armenia, I had no idea what to expect… Traveling through Yerevan was absolutely beautiful and when we left I was under the impression that the best part of my trip was over. Arriving in Gyumri, I came to realize that I still had five amazing weeks to spend in this country. Jampar began and as I began to interact with these kids, I realized how lucky I am to have this opportunity.

I have worked with kids before through different after school programs, but nothing compares to the children of Gyumri. These kids are full of life, enthusiasm, and curiosity. It is refreshing to see that kids are still so eager to learn new things. English class is the quietest time throughout the day and the kids are always asking if they are doing their assignments correctly. Anytime I speak English with Arin, another fellow counselor in Team Gabooyd, I immediately see their eyes light up. It’s strange how interested they are about our lives and the English language, in the same way we are interested in their lives.

At first I was hesitant about leaving Yerevan and traveling to a different part of Armenia, but after living in Gyumri, I feel like I have experienced the true Armenia. In Gyumri, I realized that this is the city that is full of true Armenian history, culture, and tradition. This city and its residents truly appreciate us and the Youth Corps program for all that it has done and continues to do in their city. We receive countless “thank yous” everyday from parents and the local residents as we walk to and from Jampar. Now that I have interacted with this kids, I am that much more excited to see what the next two sessions of Jampar hold.

From Gyumri with Love,
Sareen Yepremian

As our first week in Artsakh comes to an end, I look back to the day we were on the road heading to town, not knowing what to expect. We were greeted by the ARF and AYF members of Artsakh, who I am now happy to call my friends. We’ve shared laughs and toasts over dinner at Nigol Touman’s house and worked together with the kids at camp. The support we’ve had from them has been exceptional and has allowed us to run camp more smoothly.

We have molded the jampar in Artsakh after AYF Summer Camp in California, and fortunately, the children are catching on real quick. They all shout their color names and get really excited saying their ganches (group chants). My group, the blue group, chose Dashnak Dro as a name without my influence, if I might add. This meant a lot to me since I am a part of the AYF Dro Chapter.

English lessons are slowly progressing and the children’s participation is exponentially growing. I’m teaching the intermediate class, and throughout the week, we’ve been learning vocabulary words for each letter in the alphabet. Yesterday, many of the kids ran up to me with their notebooks and asked me if what they wrote is correct. To end the week, we had a spelling bee. These kids are always ready to raise their hands and participate, answer a question, or sing a song. Their excitement is truly fulfilling and definitely contagious. Sometimes I catch myself smiling while sitting on the sidewalk watching them play ball. Thinking about how happy these kids are with what little resources they have just melts my heart. I can already feel that this past week and the week to come will be a significant part in both our lives and theirs.

I probably won’t ever forget the hugs I’ve gotten from the little girls who look at me like a role model, or the young boys who high five me after a victory. In addition, our reciprocation means the world to these kids. I think I can speak for all of the Youth Corps participants when I say I’m looking forward to the remaining four weeks!

-Tamar Abrilian