DIASPORAN ORGANIZATIONS WITH YOUTH-ORIENTED PROGRAMS IN ARMENIA:

ACYOA Armenia Service Program: Eastern Diocese

The program provides participants, young adults ages 19 – 28, with the unique opportunity to gain first hand experience of the Armenian culture and people while serving the people of Armenia. You will travel and learn about some of the most famous religious and cultural sites in our ancient land. And experience life in the capital city of Yerevan, including its nightlife, shopping and dining.

Volunteer at a children’s camp in Vanadzor at Camp Tzitzernak, sponsored by the Gougark Diocese. Price includes roundtrip airfare from New York City, ground transportation in Armenia, all tours, lodging and two meals a day.

Applicant information
Dates: June 30-July 23, 2008
Cost: $ 2,200
Deadline: February 22, 2008

For more information contact Nancy Basmajian at (212) 686-0710 (x43) or email acyoa@armeniandiocese.org. To learn more or to obtain application materials, please visit the ACYOA Web site at: http://www.acyoa.org/asp/index.php

Armenian Assembly of America: Summer Internship in Armenia

The Armenian Assembly of America Summer Internship Program in Armenia aims to introduce college-aged students to life in their ancestral homeland, and to foster the skills needed to help them become the next generation of leaders. Since the program’s inception in 1999, forty-nine interns have participated, working in various government offices in Armenia, such as the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as with various non-governmental organizations such as the International Center for Human Development.

This internship provides Armenian-American youth an exceptional opportunity to interact both professionally and socially with counterparts in Armenia. In addition to their daily work schedule, interns get an opportunity to meet with government officials and other prominent individuals in and around Yerevan.

The internship runs for eight weeks, from mid-June to mid-August. Participants may choose from three housing options in Yerevan:

• Stay with family or friends.
• Request that the Assembly facilitate the lease of an apartment; these are usually shared by two to three interns.
• Apply for a home-stay through Birthright Armenia.

Click here to go the online application http://www.aaainc.org/index.php?id=216. Application deadline is February 15, 2008.
For more information on the Assembly’s Internship Program, contact Joseph A. Piatt, the Armenian Assembly Internship Program Manager at 202-393-3434 or email jpiatt@aaainc.org

AGBU Yerevan Summer Intern Program (YSIP)

Initiated in 2007, the AGBU Yerevan Summer Intern Program (YSIP) is dedicated to developing the next generation of Armenian leaders through professional internships and cultural curriculum. After gaining valuable career experience, participants will return to their local communities with a deeper sense of pride in their heritage and an enhanced understanding of the ties that bind Armenians in the Diaspora and the Motherland.

AGBU will select highly capable university student from around the world to participate in the five-week internship program. While in Armenia, students will intern at major companies and organizations, and participate in educational and social activities and community service projects. In addition, participants will become familiar with AGBU Projects in Armenia and visit many cultural attractions throughout the country and the Republic of Karabakh.

During the summer, YSIP participants will be housed at the All Armenian Youth Foundation (AAYF) Complex, and will take courses in Armenian language, history and dance. Applicants must be between the ages of 19 and 26, enrolled in an accredited college or university, conversational in Armenian and active participants in public service-oriented activities.

Program Duration: June 28- August 2, 2008
Cost: $1,500 total (including $50 application fee)
Application Deadline: February 18, 2008

For more information, email ysip@agbu.org or call 212.319.6383.

To obtain application materials, please visit www.agbu.org.

Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Summer Internship in Armenia

The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Summer Internship in Armenia offers an opportunity for students to develop their professional careers while helping Armenia. For 8 weeks each summer, students are placed in Armenian government agencies, private companies, or other organizations. Internships are available in almost any desired field. You need not be an AYF member to apply.

This program also provides participants an opportunity to submerge in Armenian culture, travel throughout Armenia, and share in the daily joys and grieves of the Armenian people.
• Gain professional experience in your field of study
• Experience Armenian culture first hand
• the social, legal, economic, and political working environment of Armenia
The deadline for all 2008 AYF Summer Internship applications is March 17, 2008.

Contact:
AYF Summer Internship Program in Armenia
Email: ayf@ayf.org
Phone: 617-923-1933
Fax: 617-924-1933

To learn more or to obtain application materials, please visit the AYF Web site at: www.ayf.org/

AYF Summer Internship Program in Armenia
80 Bigelow Avenue
Watertown MA, 02172

If you have any questions about the program or would like to speak to previous interns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Email us at CE@AYF.ORG

AYF Western Region Youth Corps

Young diasporan Armenians have been wondering what they can do to help Armenia now that the barriers have been lifted. The doors have been opened for Armenians from abroad to become a positive physical presence in the homeland. It is now possible for young Armenians to spend a few weeks during the summer assisting where it is needed most, in border towns and war-torn villages in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh. Motivated individuals in search of a summer experience to enrich their lives should participate in the AYF Youth Corps program.

The AYF Youth Corps is open to all youth over the age of 18 who are motivated and enthusiastic about helping Armenia.

The program allows young Armenians to spend approximately five weeks in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh supplying the manpower to villages where residents are attempting to rebuild their lives. Aside from supplying real, positive assistance to our brethren in Armenia, participants will experience the homeland in the most meaningful way. Their hard work will become one more building block in the progress of our nation.

AYF Youth Corps participants will spend time sightseeing in both Armenia and Karabagh. AYF Youth Corps participants can look forward to visiting such places as Sardarabad, Etchmiadzin, Karni, Keghart, Kantsasar, Khor Virab, Mt. Ararat, and other sights of historical and cultural significance.

Contact:
AYF Western Region
Tel: : 818-507-1933 / Fax: 818-240-3442
Email: youthcorps@AYFwest.org

For more information, visit the organization’s Web site at www.AYFYouthCorps.org.

Canadian Youth Mission to Armenia: Canadian Diocese

2007 will mark the 14th mission of the Canadian Youth Mission (CYMA) to Armenia. Groups average 25 participants each summer, with over 500 people having participated in the program to date. There is a minimum age requirement of 18 to be eligible.

This year’s mission will be the Renovation of a Church in Gai Village in the Armavir Diocese, Armenia. The participation fee of $2,500.00 includes: travel to Armenia, accommodation (room and board) for the entire duration of the trip as well as excursions including a 3-day trip to Kharabagh.

For more info, please call: Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church at (514) 276-9479 or email adiocese@aol.com or cymacanada@gmail.com or contact Talar Chichmanian, Chairperson, at (514) 745-6456, tchich@hotmail.com.

To learn more information about the CYMA mission to Armenia, please visit the Web site of the Canadian Diocese at www.armenianchurch.ca.

Christian Youth Mission to Armenia (CYMA): Western Diocese

The Christian Youth Mission to Armenia (CYMA), a mission of the Armenian Church Youth Organization (ACYO) is excited to announce that it is accepting applications for its annual summer internship program. Now in its fifth year, the CYMA program is expanding and enhancing opportunities for all Armenian youth.

CYMA has established an annual Spiritual Pilgrimage for youth 18 and up who are interested in experiencing their Homeland. This trip will be for 17 days, during which participants will travel through Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh and truly experience the land that the faith of our forefathers established. This trip is perfect for youth and young adults who are interested in visiting Armenia for the first time or have obligations to work or school during the summer allowing for a limited amount of time to visit Armenia. The 2008 CYMA Pilgrimage dates are tentatively set for July 02, 2008 through July 19, 2008. 2008 is even more special, as this trip has been coordinated so all Spiritual Pilgrims can attend and be witness to the first-ever annual International ACYO Assembly. Don't miss this very special year!

The CYMA internship program, which has truly been a success since the inaugural trip in 2004, is now being expanded to 8 weeks for our youth who are 18 years of age or older. CYMA interns will enjoy the Homeland with CYMA pilgrimage participants while fully integrating into daily life of living in Armenia through career oriented eight-week internships. Those who participate will find themselves socially, culturally, professionally, and spiritually transformed. The 2008 CYMA Internship dates are tentatively set for June 18, 2008 through August 15, 2008.

It is the goal of the CYMA mission to ensure that every young person experience their ancestral homeland. Toward this end, CYMA is also expanding its scholarship program and fundraising duties. With the aforementioned changes to the mission and support from the faithful of the Western Diocese, it will be significantly more affordable for all youth to participate in the annual CYMA program.

For 2008 CYMA applications as well as information regarding the program and pricing, please visit www.cyma-wd.org or email our outreach coordinator Armine Semirjian armine@cyma-wd.org.

Diaspora Armenia-Connection (DAC)

DAC UK is a non-profit, non-political organization with the sole aim of helping the children of Armenia. The organization’s goals are:
• To improve the everyday lives and the education system of the children in Armenia and Karabagh.
• To promote knowledge and understanding of the Armenian culture throughout the world.

The 2008 campaign will run from early to late August. Volunteers will be divided into two or three groups, each working in a different village in either Armenia or Karabagh. Each group reflects one of DAC’s main activities: summer school for the children, renovation work on the local school and a medical program. Participants choose which activity they would like to do, with weekends spent visiting Armenia with the other groups.

Requirements:
• Mininum age 18 years old.
• Relevant experience with children is required for summer school program.
• No experience necessary for renovation.
• Medical Project open to doctors, nurses and medical students only
• For all projects, you must have the necessary social skills to be able to work and live in a group.
• Knowledge of the Armenian language NOT necessary
• You must be available for the entire three week duration of the project
• Deadline for all applications: May 15, 2008

Cost of the program: all expenses are covered. Participants need only pay for their return flight ticket and any spending money required while in country. Knowledge of working with young children is essential if you want to help run the summer camp. Experience (doctors, medical students, advanced first aid) is also necessary for the medical program. No experience is necessary if you want to help with the renovation.

For UK and International volunteers, please contact Talar Ozkaya at: t4lar@yahoo.com and France-based residents should contact Raffi Sarafian at: raffi_sarafian@hotmail.com or contact@da-connexion.org.

For more information about DAC, please visit www.da-connexion.com.

Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR): Young Professional's Trip to Armenia

The 12th annual FAR Young Professionals Trip will be May 31 to June 12, 2008. The two-week trip to Armenia will include tours of the entire country, with overnights in Yerevan, Gyumri, Sanahin, Lake Sevan, and Goris. Participants will visit FAR's projects as well as meet with high-ranking officials in Armenia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II in Etchmiadzin.

The FAR trip provides the ideal opportunity for young professionals between the ages of 23 and 40 to travel to Armenia as a group. Participants in FAR's Young Professionals Trip do more than just see the country's sites. They learn about Armenia's place in the world - her religious, political and economic heritage - and engage government and religious leaders in official state visits. The FAR trip is a great way to discover Armenia's treasures.

Space is limited. For more information, please contact Arto Vorperian at Fund for Armenian Relief. Tel: (212) 889-5150 or Email: arto@farusa.org

Fuller Center for Housing Armenia

The Global Builders program is a series of short-term trips designed to provide teamwork and spiritual experience in a cross-cultural setting. By living and working with the host community, participants have an opportunity to personally witness and contribute to The Fuller Center for Housing's (TFCH) effort to eliminate substandard housing throughout the world.

Fuller Center for Housing Armenia (FCHA) provides no-interest, no-profit housing loans to low-income families. The partner family must put hundreds of hours of sweat equity on their home and pay back the loan which will go to Revolving Fund and build more homes. Partner families are selected based on their housing need and ability to repay their loans. FCHA supervises the construction of the home and arranges the provision of materials and mobilization of volunteers.

The construction sites of Fuller Center for Housing Armenia, where the international and local communities build hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, with the spirit of friendship and unity, sharing the same enthusiasm and emotions, become a non-formal platform of interaction between the Diaspora Armenians and the local community, strengthening the cultural and spiritual bridge between the local and Diaspora communities, demonstrating the love of Christ in action.

By building with us, young people will get a first-hand experience in helping people and understanding the principle and values of volunteering, as well as can become messengers and multipliers of our mission. One of the most important components of our organization being advocacy, the volunteers will raise awareness about housing poverty in Armenia, promoting to our mission of advocating the right to decent shelter.

Fuller Center for Housing Armenia currently works in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, and the regions of Aragatsotn, Armavir, Kotayk, Ararat, Lori, Tavush, Vayots Dzor, Shirak and Gegharkunik.
The cost of participating in a team makes approximately $1750-$1900 (airfare excluded). A team consists of about 15 volunteers and the mission lasts two weeks total. Summer and fall dates for 2008 are July 13-26 (Yerevan), August 2-15 Yeghegnadzor, October 5-19 (Vanadzor).

To learn more about the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia, please visit the FCH Armenia Web site at: www.fullercenterarmenia.org and to learn more about short term trips please contact volunteer@fullercenterarmenia.org.

Land and Culture Organization

The Land and Culture Organization (LCO) mission is to preserve Armenian historic sites all over the world. Also to connect Diaspora Armenians to their ancestral lands by offering them volunteer work opportunities. In 1977 a group of young Frenchmen of Armenian heritage led by Gegham Gevonian founded the Land and Culture Organization in France, which soon opened branches in the US, England, and later in Armenia and other countries.

The LCO has organized summer programs - popularly called "Campaigns" - in which volunteers from Europe, Canada, U.S. and elsewhere join together on ancestral sites. They apply their physical energy and mental ingenuity to a variety of tasks in architectural preservation, land cultivation and community development. LCO Summer Campaigns not only afford Armenians the rare experience of discovering their ancestral roots and expanding their cultural horizons, but they also create opportunities that put ideals into action.

The LCO brings a new dimension to the indomitable Armenian spirit. What began over 30 years ago as a modest grass-roots experiment has over the years evolved into a multinational effort that focuses on the Land and the vital role it plays in the struggle for the preservation of its Culture.

This year, the summer campaigns will be located in Armenia and in Nagorno-Karabagh. For general information on exact campaign dates for July and August, please email: info@landandculture.org. To learn more or to obtain application materials, please visit the LCO Web site at: www.lcousa.org