Visiting my three sponsored children in Armenia

Ivan, a committed World Vision supporter from Northern Ireland decided to travel the length and breadth of Armenia in order to visit all three of the girls he sponsors, and what an experience it was for him:

From an innocent statement in a letter sent two years ago by one of my three Armenian sponsored children "Someday I wish we could eat strawberries with you in our garden", I found myself being taxied through the un-lit streets of Yerevan to my hotel.

I recently spent nine fantastic days in Armenia. When I first arrived, I had a relaxing weekend in the beautifully-maintained city of Yerevan in the 40-degree-heat. I visited museums, photographed attractions and bought gifts for the three families I was going to visit.

First Stop

On Monday morning, Lilit and Armen from World Vision called for me at the hotel and three hours later I arrived in a spectacular copper-producing town, close to the border with Georgia. Half the town is on the side of a mountain, the other half in the valley, connected by a winding road and a cable car system.

We pulled into the Area Development Progreamme and were met by a friendly group of World Vision staff and were introduced to Armenuhi, her brother and parents. As I expected, the children were a little shy as they had probably never met a person from Western Europe before. We enjoyed a traditional Armenian lunch with delicious fresh vegetables, lavish bread and some chocolate treats. As the children became more comfortable, we discussed life in each other's countries and in particular the difficulties of living in Armenia.

Challenges

The Armenians face many challenges in their economy; emigration to Russia, the rising cost of living and the political environment with some of its neighbours. The 1915 genocide is an open wound to the nation and it seems to affect both young and old.

Armenuhi’s face beamed when she discovered a cherished Barcelona football shirt among her gifts. After lunch, we drove a short but challenging drive to one of mountainous communities; a collection of houses through a high and twisting, narrow road which our driver, Artur somehow managed.

We were greeted by the local children who were taking part in a community ‘Forum Theatre’. This project allows young people (age 10-15 years) to express themselves and their problems and concerns through interaction amongst the group. It was interesting to see the methods used and it seemed to benefit them greatly.

We said our goodbyes and on our way back to the ADP, dropped into a 'Green Garden Project'. A greenhouse was established to produce food such as cucumbers, tomatoes, and delicious raspberries for the local kindergarten and for community use. I was amazed to see that Raphael (an older man who tends the garden) lived in a tiny house on the garden site.

Summer Camp

After a comfortable night in a community hotel and another beautiful traditional breakfast, we drove to summer camp. Close to the world heritage site of Haghpat Monastery we found children engaged with outdoor activities, having a wonderful time. Inside we attended a religious class of around 20 young children learning about the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. After the lesson the children played some group word games.

I felt the summer camp had a very special atmosphere and realized how much the children were both learning about Christian values while having a lot of fun as well. Their excitement was infectious. Marianna and a priest then gave me a tour of Haghpat Monastery. Words can't describe its special feel and sense of history, amazing!

After this wonderful morning, we headed back to the ADP to meet Ruzanna and her family. Ruzanna being 10 years old, was a little shy. Her father died last year, leaving her mother, Nune with four children to bring up. We talked about their challenges and how her 16-year-old sister would like to become an interior designer someday. I gave them the gifts that I had and then we were off to Yerevan.

My First Sponsorship

My sponsorship with Tatevik started in 2009. She was the first of my three sponsored girls in Armenia. She is always in my thoughts and prayers and I was really excited to finally meet her face to face. After a two-day-trip north, I headed south for my next visit with my World Vision guide, Susan and driver, Avetik.

On the way, we drove past the spectacular Mount Ararat, wow!! It’s the symbol of Armenia and a great source of national pride. Half way through our three-hour-trip, we stopped for lunch and enjoyed a traditional Armenian sandwich as the cars and trucks roared by.

Once in the Area Development Programme, I was introduced to Ashot and Anna who explained to me the current projects they were implementing. Ashot was passionate about introducing greenhouses for self-sustainability in the communities. He showed me the progress made despite wariness from some local people.

The Culture House

Soon we were off to Tatevik's community, about six or seven miles on a road full of holes and wandering livestock. After our bumpy ride, we made
it to the regenerated 'Culture House' where we met Tatevik and her entire family, including grandparents! After greetings and handshakes, we were invited in to the Culture House. Being the guest of honour, I was given a front row seat and treated to a play involving many of the community children. Their performance was outstanding and with the invaluable help of Susan translating, I thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.

The Culture House is very important to the community and is used for different functions such as plays, music performance and community meetings. It seemed the whole village had turned up!

Next of all, I found myself sitting in a side room full of delicious food and with all of Tatevik's family members and the local mayor. The table was heaving with fresh fish, chicken, vegetables, honey, wild fruit and chocolates. I was overwhelmed by their hospitality and we talked, eat and toasted good health. I gave my gifts to the family and they were very gracious in receiving them. In a few days time, Tatevik would have turned 13 so I got her a special gift in a necklace. I don't think I will ever forget her happiness when she tore back the wrapping!

Our next stop was the magnificent kindergarten, situated in the village. Thanks to recent donations, five much needed beds were provided to help ease the ever-growing need. Arevik who runs the kindergarten showed me all the facilities. It is a great source of pride within the community as it is so well run and pristine. World Vision has even put in a greenhouse so that the children can participate in providing vegetables for the kindergarten kitchen. Visitng the kindergarten concluded my trip to the south of Armenia.

The World Vision staff were simply wonderful. I could see their passion for the work they do in improving the lives of the local community, despite the enormous challenges they face. I was sorry I had to leave for home the next day. I returned to the UK, determined to do more for the often forgotten children of Armenia. I will never forget the amazingly resilient, hospitable, and warm people I met on my trip to Eastern Europe.

Thanks to Ivan for sharing his experience with us. If you have any questions or comments, head over to our Facebook page.