FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Linda Yepoyan
August 29, 2008
Phone: 610-642-6633
[email protected]
BIRTHRIGHT ARMENIA ALUMNI
An Impressive Return on Investment
Every year Birthright Armenia alumni from around the world return to their
Homeland in growing numbers. Since 2004, 65 out of 300 participants have
gone back to Armenia at least once. Some return to pursue further volunteer
experience and internships, others to reconnect with old friends and family,
but in all cases, there seems to be a common tug, almost inexplicably
calling them back to Armenia.
"When you realize what most of these young adults forego in order to come
back to Armenia to continue doing more good work after their Birthright
Armenia experience, it truly speaks to the high level of commitment we have
been seeing overall in our post-community service follow-ups," says
executive director Linda Yepoyan. "And if you think about the fact that
there are over 1 million diasporan Armenians in the world who are currently
in their twenties, what a fantastic resource Armenia would have in them if
20% of them committed to working toward a stronger and more democratic
Homeland", adds Yepoyan.
Nelli Martirosyan (AAA 2007) is spending this summer in Tsamakahogh village
of Nagorno Karabagh. With the support of a $2,500 grant from the Birthright
Armenia "Next Step" Alumni Fund, she has started a Youth Development
Initiative in the village. Born and raised in Armenia, Nelli moved to the
United States when she was 18, but she knew that she would be back soon. She
has a strong resolve to devote her life’s work to Armenia’s development.
With a background in education, Nelli has created a program designed to
empower youth through knowledge-teaching them vital language and computer
skills and instilling within them the values of teamwork and volunteer work.
With Nelli’s guidance, the youth of Tsamakahogh have created several
committees charged with sports, social and cultural events which they run
completely independently. "I don’t volunteer for them," says Nelli, "I
volunteer with them." Contributing to Armenia’s development is not just a
passing phase for her – it’s a lifetime commitment.
Volunteering through Birthright Armenia and its sponsored organizations has
led many to positions of leadership both in their hometowns and in Armenia.
Garine Palandjian of Providence, RI (currently residing in Glendale, CA) was
an AYF volunteer in 2005. She spent the summer in Armenia, but this time
around, as the AYF Eastern Internship Coordinator. After spending the past
few months organizing internships, living arrangements and a schedule of
events for the eight-week program, Garine worked alongside the local AYF
office in Yerevan and Birthright Armenia to ensure the success of each
internship. She is proud to be working with organizations that hope to
bridge the gap between Armenia and the Diaspora.
For some alumni, like Ric Gazarian and Grace Yacoubian (both AVC 2004)
Armenia is nothing short of an addiction. Both have returned almost every
year since their internships. Ric, a Boston native now living in Chicago,
volunteered for close to four months at Zatik Orphanage, teaching English,
playing games, and spending time with the children. As a parting gift to the
kids and staff at Zatik, he organized and sponsored a festival. He has
returned every summer since 2004, making the Zatik Festival – complete with
face painting, moonbounce, cotton candy and pony rides – an annual
tradition. "As a volunteer," says Ric, "you come to donate your time, but of
course, you get more than you receive." The festival is his way of saying
thank you. He came back mid-August to sponsor the event for the fifth time,
and the children of Zatik Orphanage were anxiously awaiting his arrival.
Grace Yacoubian (AVC 2004) left Armenia wanting to come right back at all
costs. But she remembers an older volunteer’s counsel: "Take your time, work
on your portfolio, get something to offer this place. Just take your time.
Armenia will be waiting for you." Since then, she has learned grant writing
and has embarked on a Master’s degree in non-profit management. Yacoubian
has returned to Armenia three times since volunteering through Birthright
sponsorship in 2004. This summer, she is in the northern city of Gyumri on
an internship stipend award, working with the Economic Consulting Service,
an agency supporting the efforts of local farmers, businesses and non-profit
organizations. "Each time I return, I learn more about Armenia, myself, and
my place in it," says Yacoubian.
This desire to discover Armenia, and in turn, discover oneself is echoed in
several Birthright Armenia participants – and it doesn’t end with the
completion of their internships. Serli Hacikoglu (AVC 2006) and Areg
Maghakian (AVC 2007) are among the handful of Birthright alumni who have
decided to return to Armenia to stay, in hopes of enriching their lives and
the lives of others. Serli, a native of Washington D.C., has been living in
Yerevan since January. "I can’t imagine being anywhere else at this point in
my life," she says, "I really live my life here. I am constantly exploring
and discovering – things, people, a place, and most importantly, myself."
Areg Maghakian originally planned to volunteer for five months, extended his
stay twice, and in February 2008, decided to move to Armenia. "Birthright
enabled me to come here, see first-hand the potential Armenia has for
growth, and actually participate in its development," he says, "It was a
great starting point." Maghakian is currently looking to expand Armenia’s IT
sector through outsourcing projects.
Birthright Armenia’s continued quest to connect youth from the Diaspora with
the Homeland is proving extremely fruitful. With alumni returning to Armenia
every year to embark on exciting projects that further Armenia’s development
while enhancing their own "journey of self-discovery", the organization is
proud of its high rate of return on investments. For many, what begins as a
two-month volunteer opportunity becomes a lifelong commitment to, and
investment in, their Homeland.