A unique opportunity for service and identity awaits you

As we experience what life offers us, many come to the realization that true joy is found in the service of others. We all have gifts that have been granted to us by God, and over time and adversity, these gifts mature into skills that offer each of us the opportunity to give. Discovering these talents is part of our identity exploration. In our Armenian life, we are fortunate in this generation to have an independent homeland that can be a part of that discovery. There are a growing number of opportunities for our young Armenians in the diaspora to contribute to the prosperity of the homeland and at the same time exploring their personal identity. These programs vary in purpose from religious, cultural, educational, athletic to social. A majority of the programs are focused on the student population (high school/college) or young professionals. They all share a common theme of service and volunteerism. In an effort to advocate for and encourage our younger generation to participate in these incredible programs, I would like to share my personal experiences with one in particular.

In 2018, our extended family (with our cousins in Chicago), through the good fortune of supporting the Armenia Tree Project (ATP), began a friendship with the village of Paruyr Sevak. Located in the arid climate of southern Armenia (situated south and a bit east of Yerevan on the Nakhichevan border), it is what we call a rural border village. What we found was a community of wonderful people whose warmth enabled our relationship. We began a life-changing journey.