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The Armenian Weekly; Volume 74, No. 29; July 26, 2008

AYF Section:

1. Breaking Down Barriers, Connecting with the Homeland
By Jocelyn Bissonnette

2. AYF-ER Picnic Gathers Community

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1. Breaking down Barriers, Connecting with the Homeland
By Jocelyn Bissonnette

I knew before stepping foot in Armenia that these eight weeks would provide
me with a life-changing experience. I knew that working and living in a
foreign country with very little language background would be a challenge.
However, I made a promise with myself to rediscover the homeland that my
great-grandparents had fled almost a century ago; to bring a little piece of
Armenia back to my family in the United States. Most of all I felt compelled
to reawaken and empower the Armenian connection within my soul that has been
dormant for so long.

In short, these past two weeks have been incredible. Splitting my time
between the International Center for Human Development and the Zatik
Orphanage has afforded me a selected but unique perspective in a short time.
Although the opportunities available through these two internship placements
have been challenging, they have also been rewarding. The decision to spend
an extended period of time in Armenia was easy to make as it was important
for me to see the country in its true reality and not simply through the
glossy facade of a hotel window.

This past weekend, the AYF intern had the opportunity to travel to Karabagh.
The excursion was extremely emotional as we had the opportunity to live with
host families in the war-torn village of Shushi, just north of Stepanakert.
The four days consisted of hiking through the mountains and witnessing the
most beautiful churches and landscapes, and visiting a school where we
assisted the students in creating an appreciation banner for local soldiers.
During our last night in Shushi, there was a community havak with singing,
dancing, and inspirational toasts that brought tears to the eyes of many.

The most poignant moment of the weekend was the time spent with our host
mother. She recounted her family’s tumultuous history, traveling to support
her husband’s military career; surviving the war, death, and destruction;
family division; financial struggles; broken aspirations and hopes for the
future. The language barrier prevented me from understanding each word she
said, but through her eyes and facial expressions I could feel the deep pain
she was expressing. The connection between the five of us in the room was
powerful-more powerful than any number of words, translations, or languages
could express.

It is a shame that more attention is not given to the people of Karabagh.
They are a tremendous people, our people, with much to offer. It is
difficult-even now after having had time for introspection-to describe how
at home and comfortable it felt to be in a place so seemingly foreign. Never
would I have given up this opportunity to travel to Karabagh and I am sure
my travels will bring me back in the future.

Armenia is everything I had hoped it would be, many things that I did not
expect, and so much more. Although the language barrier is challenging,
other preconceived barriers have been shattered by compassion and purpose. I
look forward to the remaining weeks here in Armenia, and the stories and
experiences that I will be able to share with those back home. My plan is to
become more involved in the Armenian community back in Rhode Island and I
hope this relationship will evolve so that I can be a beacon of inspiration
and Armenian spirit, just as those I have met here have already been to me.
In terms of where my connection with Armenia is headed in the future, the
"journey of self discovery" has just begun. Armenia’s ability to stand
strong in the face of adversity never ceases to amaze me.

Jocelyn Bissonnette is a participant in the 2008 AYF-YOARF Summer Internship
Program in Yerevan.
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2. AYF-ER Picnic Gathers Community

For the third consecutive year in a row, the AYF-YOARF Central Executive
(CE) hosted its annual Eastern Region picnic this past Sunday, July 20. Over
500 members, alumni, parents, and supporters turned out for the gathering,
held on the picnic grounds of Camp Haiastan in Franklin, Mass.

"The AYF picnic held at Camp Haiastan this summer was a great success," said
AYF CE member Jim Kzirian. "The weather held up wonderfully, and over 500
people turned up for a day full of Armenian food, music, and camaraderie."

In addition to fresh servings of an assortment of kebab, the crowd enjoyed
live Armenian music provided by the fabulous Leo Derderian Ensemble.
Attendees also had the opportunity to catch up with both local and out of
town friends who had made the trip up to celebrate and support the AYF’s
activities.

The afternoon also featured the second installment of Camp Haiastan’s "Big
Fat Armenian Raffle." John, Elizabeth, and Nicholas Koobatian-the children
of Nadine and Greg Koobatian of Connecticut-took away the prize of $5,000
this time, joining Armen Derderian of Michigan who won the first drawing at
the Camp’s Alumni Picnic earlier this month. The final drawing will be held
on Aug. 3 at the Sts. Vartanantz picnic in Providence, R.I.

In the words of Kzirian, "The picnic succeeded in bringing people together,
further enriching our connection with camp, and raising financial support
for our initiatives."