Thea in Armenia

In April 2023, I traveled to Armenia to work as a volunteer for a humanitarian relief organization, the Diaconia Charitable Fund. It was a project I found through the European Solidarity Corps. Armenia was very unfamiliar to me, and I chose not to have any expectations about the country.

It turned out that I would completely fall in love with the country, the people, and my project as well.

My tasks involved packing relief packages with food and other necessities, distributing them in the villages, taking photos, writing reports on the living conditions of the poor, and teaching English and art.

It was always exciting to go to the villages to visit those we help. People are very poor in Armenia, so they were always very grateful when we brought them packages. I experienced that most people, despite their circumstances, are still very happy, grateful for what they have, and loving toward each other. It was always very life-affirming. The Armenian people are very hospitable, so there was always coffee and chocolate for us when we came. They may not have enough, but they always have enough for their guests. This is something I have taken to heart as well.

Diaconia Charitable Fund has built a village with around 65 houses where families can live for free. The village is called the Village of Hope, and it was there where I taught English and art. It was so fun being with my students, and they always taught me some words in Armenian. It became a bit of a language exchange. The children liked to touch my long blonde hair. It was a very loving workplace, and I really learned how important it is for us to help each other. I was shown the definition of humanity.

Along with 15 other volunteers from Europe, I lived in a kind of dormitory. It was incredibly fun and social. We often cooked together, enjoying meals in each other's company. During the weekdays, we played Monopoly and Catan or sat and chatted on our sofa. On Fridays, we went out together and danced on the Armenian dance floors until morning. We always had plans. It was my first time celebrating Christmas without my family, but it was still very cozy. We decorated our living room, prepared some gifts, and everyone made a bit of Christmas food from their home country. I made rice pudding. It was very special because we celebrate Christmas on December 24, but in Armenia, they celebrate Christmas on January 6. For their Christmas, I went to church and participated in the church's event. In the evening, I was invited to dinner at a colleague’s house. That’s the beauty of living in another country—you get to know their culture and traditions. It is important to participate in their traditions and to observe their culture rather than to judge it, even if there may be things that seem strange or different.

On weekends, I almost always went on trips around the country. Armenia has a mountainous landscape, so I often went hiking with some of my friends. The nature is breathtaking, and I never get tired of the sight of the mountains. Many have picnics there, and often, I’ve experienced people inviting us to join them. New friendships and good conversations arose from this. They are so open and hospitable. In the summer, we swam in waterfalls and by the lovely Lake Sevan. I have been to national parks and centuries-old churches. There is so much to see. Armenia truly is a hidden gem.

Sitting here in Denmark, writing about my amazing experience, fills me with nostalgia. It was a huge gift for me to be able to live in Armenia for an entire year and meet all the wonderful people who are now my friends. Armenia became my second home.

Updated on Ketvirtadienis, 07/11/2024