Translation (with a big thanks for Liana) - without comments (it's funny enough):
THE TERRITORY IS SHINING.
School complex "Olipmos" where work 14 volunteers from different european countries, is situated in one of the untouched green areas of the capital - in Nork (I live in Nork Andrew, so I am breathing fresh air there every morning).
Occupying territory of 5 hectars the two-shell center has a history of 40 years. According to the words of the director Vahram Grigoryan 400 kids of different regions of Armenia live here. Basicly these are kids from precarious families or orphans. "Though our complex belongs to the Ministry of Education and Science, means for maintenance cost and accomplishement are not enough. -Tell Mr. Grigoryan. In this conditions the work of volunteers is highly evaluated. Look how they put to right the territory of the school".
In reality, during one month of work nursery playground and sport-ground are completely painted, all the rubbish is taken away, all man-made water-ways, which creat a special microclimate and which during the last years became a bog, are cleaned out. Thanks to the energy of volunteers it was possible to completely reconstruct the original appearance of complex.
Head of Yerevan office Roy Ri couldn't hide his enthusiasm - A great work is done. I am very happy that in this difficult times for Armenia volunteer service of your country could organise summer volunteer camp. And, it would be also prefarable, that the government wouldn't stay in side. I am sure that volunteers liked Armenia. From my side I promise any possible financial assistance and will also try to attract to such an activity other diplomatic missions which are now in Armenia.
Unfortunately because of the lack of time we didn't manage to talk to volunteers. We were hurrying to Spitak, where the second work camp is situated.
MARVELOUS KIDS
The camp with 17 volunteers is situated in one of the Italian houses built after the earthquake in 1988. We arrived here at midday. Children were making last preparations for the concert, and i decided to walk in the territory and talk to the camp leader Syusi Simonyan.
According to Syuzi there are 12 foreigners and 5 armenians in the camp. During one month of the work volunteers worked with 130 kids from italian village and Spitak - tought them French, German and English, orginised groups of drawing and needle work. - The regime is quite rigorous,- says Syusanna. Wake up, breakfast, work - everything according to the chedule. In the evening when children go home, we make fire, dance, sing, tell about ourselves and our countries. The intercourse is only in English.
Though volunteers were quite busy, we managed to talk to some of them. Sonya Schifferli, Switherland - Appallingly talented children. During 20 days they learn elementary French grammar. certainly I am comming the next year to continue the work with them. Maria Rodriges, German student, before comming here didn't know much things about Armenia.
- When i was advised to go to Armenia i got a little bit scared. I was thinking I am goint to a not developed and ruinous country. Now I can say that i am in a wonderful and very hospitable country. Nowhere in the world i have seen so kind and kindhearted people.
Seeing animatedly talking Maria, Andrew Burger from Switzerland came running to us. - it is already my second visit to Spitak. i like it here a lot. After the camp I will stay here for more than a month. I want to travel through Armenian. For the next year I will come here as a turist.
Kwendoline Neerec from Grenoble: - We have a big armenian community there and I associated a lot with them. Here I feel myself as if I am at home. Though it is too hot for me here. But wonderful churces and astonishing with its beauty Sevan make you forget everything. I will tell about all this to all my friends about your country. And the next year i will come for sure to Spitak with my boyfriend.
In the evening be became guests of a big festive concert, orginised by volunteers. Volunteers with children showd some small scenec from French, German and English fairtales, read poems and sang songs. in general it was very interesting and funny there. And when our international guest at the end sang a song in Armenian the audience burst into applauses.
When time for the ggodbye came everybody became a little bit sad. Many kids became so much attached to the volunteers that couldn't hide their tears.
- We will come here for sure next year- said Patrick Titu from Switzerland. You are a talended and hard-working nation. I want to wish you prosperity and well-being.
The time to say goodbye came for us too. Having made the last photo, we took the car. Volunteers, happy, but very tired went to have rest. In the evening their last fire was waiting for them.
Boum pages:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last year pages:
|
|
|
| (back to the main page) | (back to fotodocumentation) | (back to Armenia index) |
