First Birthright Armenia. Then AVC 9 Years Later. Lilit’s Letter to Both Organizations

Dear AVC and Birthright Armenia teams,

It took me some time to organize all my thoughts and emotions before I could write down this email.

It was a very special opportunity for me to apply to AVC’s Professional Corps exactly 9 years after my life changing experience with Birthright Armenia. And to have the opportunity to work with the same organization - Armenian EyeCare Project, during the most beautiful season in Armenia - Autumn.

My Motivations

This time my experience was totally different, but still unforgettable. And the reason for that was time. Even though time flies by very fast, the last 9 years were the reason for these different feelings and experiences. I think that for all of us doing AVC or Birthright Armenia after 2020, the War in 2020 and the ethnic cleansing of Armenians from Artsakh were the biggest reasons and motivation.

Personally for me, this time, was an opportunity to truly appreciate what we have rightnow - life, our loved ones, our homeland. Because no one can promise what tomorrow holds.

My Work

During these two months, I once again had a very interesting experience with the Armenian EyeCare Project. But, this time, I felt much more professionally connected with the country than before. Of course, 9 years ago I had just started my medical training in ophthalmology. Because of my experience with Birthright, I was so inspired by my work with AECP, that I was able to make important decisions related to my career. Today, I work at one of the leading ophthalmology hospitals in Bulgaria, thanks to this experience.

Armenia EyeCare Project

Armenian EyeCare Project is an organization that proves what can be done by a very professional team. As always, I'm very impressed by the

work done by their team of hard-working people, led by Mrs. Nune Yeghiazaryan. And I'm so grateful to Mrs. Yeghiazaryan for always organizing everything so well for me, for welcoming me, and for her and her team’s readiness to share best practices with me and learn from each other. AECP was and will always be a huge source of inspiration for me.

AVC versus Birthright Armenia and Visiting Meghri

I think that one difference between my experience with Birthright Armenia 9 years ago and AVC now was that I wasn't as mature during my Birthright Armenia experience to appreciate deeply all the opportunities and experiences that we were given. One prime example was our trip to Meghri. Even though I was in love with Meghri during our trip 9 years ago, this time it was absolutely different. It was very special , because I felt much more connected with our local host family. Persimmons are my favouite fruit, but I had never seen the whole process of preparing the dry fruit from it before. And because it was the season for preparing dried fruit, I asked our host mother - Ruzanna, if I could join and help. I joined them at 5 a.m. and they shared with me not only the process and their secrets of preparing dried fruits, but also so many personal stories and thoughts. And all these talks, shared during work while, of course, drinking a cup of Armenian coffee and welcoming the beautiful sunrise made me feel so connected with these people. We still keep in touch and that's very important for me.

I'm also very grateful to Birthright Armenia’s Director Sevan Kabakian for all the deep talks in Megrhi, for taking us to the border, and for the opportunity to think deeper about our role in the present and the future of Armenia.

AVC’s Senior Corps

AVC gave me another very important opportunity- to meet senior volunteers. One of them was Gwen, from the United Kingdom. --She was the person with whom I could speak about different topics. I learned a lot from her and I'm so grateful to her for becoming a role model for me, especially in the way she chooses to live her life after retirement.

Repatriates

Another point that was important for me was the meeting with fellow Diasporans who had repatriated to Armenia. I met Aline, Sarah, and Nanor in July , during the events dedicated to Birthright Armenia’s 20th anniversary. And then, the meeting that we had in November with the other repatriates added to my experience from July. Their thoughts and work are absolutely inspiring. And it doesn't matter where I live- I want to be surrounded by people like them.

My Grandparents

There is a very personal story connected with my grandfather that I wanted to share with you. Unfortunately, I saw him for the last time in 1998 when I was 9 years old. He died in 2011, 10 days before my first return to Armenia since 1998. He and his brother were great geologists. They were very close to each other and they were at the same time brothers, colleagues, and friends. When I was applying for AVC in 2024, I didn't know that the Yerevan State University would celebrate its 90th Anniversary of Geography and Geology Faculty that same year. When I was in Armenia, I learned that the event would take place in November. And why was it so emotional for me ?! Because there was a short movie dedicated to the people and the work that they have done in Armenia for the last 90 years. And there were many photos of my grandfather and his brother... I felt so proud of them. And it was such a strange feeling- I hadn't seen my grandfather for so many years, and now I was able to see, feel, and appreciate all that he had accomplished. I’m sad I cannot tell him how proud I am of his work and wish I could tell him personally. But I guess this is the way he preferred and chose - just to work and help others in silence. Those few hours helped connect me with my roots.

I'm very lucky , because I have my beloved grandmothers, both of them 87 years old and both of them living in Yerevan. And of course they are the center of all of my plans regarding Armenia. Having the opportunity to live a longer period of time in Yerevan was very important from that point of view too. Because I could be there and I could take care of them whenever they needed me. And I have so many shared moments and stories with them that are priceless.

1000 Vahan

During my two months of volunteering, I was invited by friends from the Charity organization called "1000 Vahan" to travel with them for one weekend to the 6 border villages of the Vayots Dzor Province and to see what amazing work they are doing. I was speechless. I even couldn't imagine how much joy and happiness their work is bringing to local kids in border villages.

Not Enough Time

Even though I had so many different types of experiences and emotions during these 2 months , the time in Armenia is never enough. Now I regret that I couldn't spend more time with other volunteers. And I regret that I couldn't participate in all the organized excursions. Next time, I hope to volunteer Gyumri, supporting projects in a field different from my professional, surrounded by people like Sarah, Aline, Nanor, and the many other inspiring Repats.

Final Words of Thanks

Dear Arina, thank you so much for such a warm welcome, for always being there whenever I needed you and for all the good advice that you gave me during our last meeting.

Dear all, thank you so much for all that I saw, felt, learned and took with me. Thank you for all the hard work that you are doing.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Hovnanian Family for giving this opportunity to me and call on my fellow Birthright alumni to come and see and experience Armenia from a different perspective.

Nine years ago, my experience with Birthright Armenia and AECP was so inspiring and life changing that I decided to apply to the Armenian Volunteer Corps, volunteering again with the AECP —this time with much more experience and knowledge. I wanted to give back for all that I received from AECP and Birthright Armenia. But after all, I realized that while volunteering, you always receive more than you can ever give.

Շնորհակալություն ,

Lilit

……………….

Lilit Shahinyan is an ophthalmologist in Bulgaria and a fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmologists. She did Birthright Armenia in 2015 and AVC’s Professional Corps in 2024. Her hobbies include hiking, photography, dancing, and painting.