In the News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Linda Yepoyan
Phone: 610-642-6633
info@birthrightarmenia.org
November 5, 2004

Birthright Armenia Sponsors Local NGO Internship Programs in Armenia

Wynnewood, PA – Programs available to young diasporans around the world interested in experiencing Armenia, are now broader and deeper in scope than ever before. In addition to the many youth-oriented opportunities offered by diasporan organizations, young Armenian adults will soon have even more volunteer options from which to choose how they gain valuable work experience while offering worthwhile assistance to the homeland. There is now a whole host of Yerevan-based NGOs that are developing their own internship programs, geared specifically to attract young diasporans interested in making a difference in Armenia—leaving the doors wide open for increased bonding and collaboration amongst 18-32 year olds.

With Birthright Armenia as the impetus, twelve such local NGOs, covering the range of arts through social welfare, are getting ready to pilot test internship programs of their own. How these locally initiated programs work is simple. The local NGOs are responsible for recruitment, processing applications, placing volunteers in a valuable community service position within their organization, and assigning each young diasporan to a project that is quality in purpose and measurably doable within an 8-week period of time. Birthright Armenia will provide the infrastructural back-up support necessary for any quality internship program to be all that it can be, namely, offering services of home stay living arrangements, Eastern Armenian language instruction, weekly forums, weekly excursions, and regular “havak” tie-in meetings with other diasporan volunteers from the whole spectrum of organizations. Once the volunteer completes their required minimum eight-week long community service assignment or internship in Armenia, Birthright Armenia provides each one with a full reimbursement of their roundtrip airfare in the form of a travel fellowship.

“Having these new options for volunteer work in Armenia is a true testament to the amount of progress achieved in the non-profit sector in Armenia since the republic’s independence, combined with the pure and keen interests on the part of local NGO representatives to be working side-by-side with diasporans from around the world” said Linda Yepoyan, Executive Director of Birthright Armenia. “NGO leaders and their employees are quick to provide a long list of projects in which young, educated and energetic diasporans can greatly assist their groups. Some samples of volunteer work they can offer includes translations, editing of grant proposals, creation of brochures and newsletters, giving English lessons, Web site development, research, outreach with outside organizations, conference preparation, and much more”, Yepoyan added. “Our youth have a fulfilling experience in Armenia, helping them define their own Armenian identity, and local NGOs gain not only much needed assistance, but also a gateway to the Diaspora and exposure to Western thinking”, she concluded.

The list of local NGOs offering internship opportunities to diasporans 18-32 years old and their area of interest or specialty includes:

• Arts/Culture
  Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art (NPAK)
  
• Education
  School renovation NGO
  
• Environment
  Armenia Tree Project (ATP)
  Makur Yerevan
  
• Health/Medicine
  Armenian Medical Association
  Mental Health Foundation
  
• Human Rights
  Armenian Young Lawyers Union
  
• Research and Public Policy
  International Center of Human Development (ICHD)
  
• Social Welfare
  Mission Armenia
  Pyunic Armenian Association for Disabled
  
• Youth programs
  Youth for Achievements
  Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA)

Please visit the Birthright Armenia Web site at www.birthrightarmenia.org and click on Opportunities to learn more about these organizations.

Birthright Armenia’s mission is to strengthen ties between the homeland and diasporan youth by affording them an opportunity to be a part of Armenia’s daily life and to contribute to Armenia’s development through work, study and volunteer experiences, while developing a renewed sense of Armenian identity. This is accomplished by supporting and complementing the initiatives of existing diasporan organizations that offer youth programs in Armenia, and encouraging them to expand their offerings in depth and breath. Birthright Armenia assists with travel fellowships, language instruction, in-country seminars, orientation and excursions in exchange for community service in Armenia.

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