A Birthday in Martuni
On Monday, I had the privilege of celebrating my 20th birthday in Martuni. Since I'm away from home once again, I wasn't really expecting too much, because we have all been preoccupied with camp activities.
How Jampar Saved My Armenian
I didn’t realize how much I missed the Armenian language until we came to Gyumri and started camp, also known as Jampar. Going from having Armenian classes every day for 8 years, to a private American high school where there were only about 5 Armenians, to Santa Clara University, where I have yet to meet a fellow Armenian, I was starting to lose touch with my roots and culture.
Emotions Running Wild
Days before Camp Martuni began, I was nervous and anxious. It’s my first time participating in Youth Corps so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. You can say my emotions were running wild...
My first day in Gyumri...
I am currently sitting in Digin Lilig’s living room with a few of my fellow Youth Corps participants and I am questioning how I ended up here. Just over a week ago, I was in Los Angeles and now I am sitting in a host family’s house in the middle of Gyumri with 13 other...
It’s Only Been a Week in Gyumri
It’s only been a week in Gyumri and I can’t believe our first week of Jampar is over. Here we are, approaching another hectic week of activities, games, and educationals with 200 Gyumretsi kids – and I’m so excited!
We Are Gyumri: The Rebuilding of a Community
The “We Are Gyumri” campaign will kick off their first event on Saturday, August 9, at Noor Restaurant in the Sofia Foyer Hall in Pasadena with a Cocktail and Hors D'oeuvres event hosted by the AYF Orange County “Ashod Yergat” Chapter from 8pm to 12am.
After an 11-hour drive to Martuni...
After an 11-hour drive to Martuni in a 15-passanger van filled with suitcases, smelly bodies and no air conditioning, the idea of a shower sounded like a dream. Around midnight, we were able to settle into our new home for the next 2 weeks…
Howdy from Martuni!
Let us begin by introducing ourselves! We’re three AYF Youth Corps participants from Houston, Texas...
One of those sleepless nights...
I couldn't sleep tonight… I am less than a week away from going to Armenia, and I’m already having dreams of the kids I’m going to meet and the memories I'm going to make with all of the other ungers and ungerouhis. This is my first…
Haytoug Summer 2014
Editorial by Sanan Shirinian
Every year in April, a familiar echo of discontent and disappointment in ourselves is heard far and wide. It is during this month, when our communities become the most active, that the perpetual cynics lay it…
