Shaunt Tchakmak
Toronto, Canada
4 months ago, I traveled to Armenia for the first time in 8 years to participate in Birthright Armenia. Then, I booked a one-way ticket back.
Through my participation in Birthright, I was given the opportunity to experience Armenia in a way I could never imagine. I spent the first portion of my summer working in the Public Sector of Armenia at which point I decided to try something a little different. That is when I ended up switching my placement to work for Homeland Development Initiative Foundation - HDIF. HDIF serves as a non-profit organization whose primary goal is to create jobs for women in the regions of Armenia. Working at HDIF and traveling to the many villages we partner with, gave me the opportunity to gain a much clearer understanding about the realities that Armenia faces today and the importance of helping in the small way that you can.
At the end of my placement at HDIF, I was offered a full-time position and the opportunity to move to Armenia for a year. I returned home with a huge decision to make but I was up for the challenge. I took the time to speak to as many people as I could about my decision and the more I did, the clearer the answer became.
I want to thank everyone, especially my family, who helped me with this decision and encouraged me to follow my heart and do what makes me happy. Your support and positivity is what made this decision possible for me. I’d like to thank Canada for providing me with the tools, education and freedom to have become the person I am today and be in a position to take on an opportunity such as this. I am truly blessed to be in this position and consider myself very lucky. I cannot wait to return to my homeland and continue this incredible journey! #ցտեսություն