In the News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Linda Yepoyan
Phone: 610-642-6633
info@birthrightarmenia.org
September 10, 2007

EASTERN EUROPEAN YOUTH JOIN MOVEMENT TO ARMENIA

Yerevan, Armenia— Through a series of recruitment events geared for diasporan youth earlier this year in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania and Poland, Birthright Armenia and the Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC) promoted the importance of establishing solid connections with the Homeland. The trip’s objective was to encourage young adults in this untapped part of the world to become part of the youth movement to Armenia through community service. The message clearly resonated with some. Within months, three motivated volunteers stepped up to the plate, applied to the AVC, ready to experience the Homeland like no Eastern European youth have done in the past.

Mihran Erniasyan, from Plovdiv, Bulgaria, is 22 years old, and proud to be a first-timer in Armenia. “As I have never been outside of Bulgaria, I only knew my Homeland through stories. Having heard about Gyumri being a beautiful city before the earthquake, I wanted to personally see how the city was moving forward nearly 20 years later”, says Erniasyan. “Having read that Birthright Armenia sponsors young diasporans from around the world, I wanted the opportunity to connect with people like myself, which was another motivation for me to come here,” he adds.

And connect with others is just what he did. Joining a group of 20 other diasporans placed in Gyumri, some hailing from North America, others from France and the Middle East, Mihran quickly forged his way into this close-knit family of volunteers and made himself at home. He has been offering his skills and talents to the Shirak Competitiveness Center for the past two months, working side-by-side with the local staff to prepare for the Shirak Region EXPO. The EXPO, slated to open on August 31, aims to promote local businesses. Mihran has some creative ideas of his own, and intends to continue his work in promoting tourism to the Shirak region once he is back in Ploviv. He adds, “Being Armenian, but not experiencing Armenia, is a concept that I can no longer accept. I will promote community service in Armenia and utilizing Birthright Armenia as a vehicle for others to experience their Homeland. As for his plans in the future? “My homestay mother has told me that I have a permanent home in Armenia now, whenever I wish to return,” he says. ”I’ll be back!”

Also having left her native Plovdiv behind, Hripsime Tongurian, 26, was driven by her desire to improve her Armenian language skills and to better understand the culture and traditions of those living in Armenia. She is also carrying out her community service in Gyumri at the job site as Erniasyan. “I came here with no expectations at all, and have found Armenia to be quite like Bulgaria was 15 years ago,” says Tongurian. “I have lots of connections in Plovdiv being the former chairperson of AGBU there, and am still very active in the community, so when I return, I will encourage others to come. The financial incentives that Birthright Armenia offers will really help them”, she concludes.

Rounding out the Eastern European team of pioneering volunteers is Mariam Danielian, 21, from Bucharest, Romania. She is teaching the two most critically needed skills, basic computer and English language classes, at the Nshouyl Computer Center operated in Gyumri by a repat from Lebanon. She, too, has found similarities between Armenia and Romania, namely the hospitality of the people, and similar terrains. Her desire to learn more about the traditions and customs of those living in Armenia was the driving force behind the decision to make the journey to Armenia.

“Expanding our reach into new countries and attracting a broader cross-section of the diasporan youth has always been one of our primary goals. Eastern Europe was a major milestone in that direction. We will continue down that path, country by country, youth by youth” says Sevan Kabakian, who oversees the organization’s operations in Armenia.

Birthright Armenia is currently planning a series of recruitment events in Australia, France and Switzerland scheduled to take place later this fall.

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. To learn more about the organization, or to make an online contribution, please visit www.birthrightarmenia.org.

# # #

Attached jpeg photograph: Eastern European volunteers Hasmig Tongurian, Mihran Erniasyan and Mariam Danielian are currently carrying out their community services in Armenia.