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PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Linda Yepoyan
May 21, 2008
Phone: 610-642-6633
www.birthrightarmenia.org
info@birthr ightarmenia.org
BIRTHRIGHT ARMENIA STIRS UP YOUTH IN SOUTH AMERICA
In its on-going quest to inspire diasporan youth around the world, record
turnouts of youth in South America during Birthright Armenia´s outreach tour
are nothing but uplifting. Beginning in Buenos Aires, Argentina and
winding down in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the April 17 - 27 sweep, including dozens
of meetings, interviews and presentations also held in Cordoba, Rosario,
Neuquén and Montevideo, targeted young adults interested in learning more
about volunteering in Armenia. Some were so moved by what they were hearing
for the first time, and realizing they were the first chosen generation to
be given such opportunities, completed applications on the spot to serve.
Of the 300 alumni who have passed through Birthright Armenia's doors to
date, only one has been from South America. This is due primarily to the
number one deterrent for the youth in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and
Venezuela - namely, its distance from Armenia. In addition, many have
found it difficult to afford the airfare, and therefore, parked the idea of
having the experience until their financial circumstances changed.
Making the South American youth unique in terms of becoming potential
participants is the time of year that college students are available to
serve. South American summer vacations take place during what are the
winter months in Armenia, so many of the youth signing on will be doing so
during the snowy months of January, February and March. Volunteering in the
Homeland at this time of year will only add to the uniqueness of their
life-changing experiences.
Seventeen South American-Armenian youth have already put ink on paper for
doing their part in Armenia - ten applicants will comprise the first wave of
volunteers in 2008 and another seven have already applied for 2009, with
many more inquiries to finalize over the coming weeks and months.
One applicant, Agostina Ramirez Schirinian wrote in her application, -I
never thought that I would have the opportunity to have an experience like
this. Each one of us has something to give to one another, something that
will help us find our identity, something that helps us be who we are
(Armenian).- She continues, -It is going to be a very productive and
positive experience, as much for my personal growth as well as for the
people I am going to meet and build friendships with while I'm there. A
reunion of youth, from different countries, cultures and traditions on
Armenian soil will have many long term positive affects.-
Leading the outreach events were Linda Yepoyan and Seta Iskandarian,
Birthright Armenia and Armenian Volunteer Corps directors, respectively, who
found there to be very strong cooperation amongst the youth groups in South
America. -AGBU and AYF youth in Cordoba, Rosario and Sao Paolo frequently
work together on issues of Armenian concern, and hosting Birthright Armenia
in their cities proved to be no exception,- stated Yepoyan. -The youth from
both organizations met us at the airport and jointly hosted well-attended
presentations, followed by social get-togethers that helped solidify our
relationship with hundreds of youth there. -We also met with many leaders
of the Armenian community and have already secured a number of commitments
to help fund the cost of Birthright Armenia's expansion into South America.
The high level of enthusiasm we felt everywhere we traveled was truly
inspirational,- she adds.
The Armenian population of Cordoba is estimated to be 5,000 people, who
pride themselves on having the first Armenian Church of South America in
their town. There was said to be 40 Armenian families in the city of
Neuquen, who settled there just three generations ago. And Rosario has what
can be described as a newly formed community as well. The youth from these
Argentinian cities will all converge in Armenia in the coming months and
years to say they are part of the movement that makes volunteering in
Armenia a rite of passage.
Birthright Armenia's mission is to strengthen ties between the homeland and
diasporan youth by affording them an opportunity to be a part of Armenia's
daily life and to contribute to Armenia's development through work, study
and volunteer experiences, while developing a renewed sense of Armenian
identity. For more information, or to make an online donation, please visit
our web site at www.birthrightarmenia.org.
Contact: Linda Yepoyan
May 21, 2008
Phone: 610-642-6633
www.birthrightarmenia.org
info@birthr ightarmenia.org
BIRTHRIGHT ARMENIA STIRS UP YOUTH IN SOUTH AMERICA
In its on-going quest to inspire diasporan youth around the world, record
turnouts of youth in South America during Birthright Armenia´s outreach tour
are nothing but uplifting. Beginning in Buenos Aires, Argentina and
winding down in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the April 17 - 27 sweep, including dozens
of meetings, interviews and presentations also held in Cordoba, Rosario,
Neuquén and Montevideo, targeted young adults interested in learning more
about volunteering in Armenia. Some were so moved by what they were hearing
for the first time, and realizing they were the first chosen generation to
be given such opportunities, completed applications on the spot to serve.
Of the 300 alumni who have passed through Birthright Armenia's doors to
date, only one has been from South America. This is due primarily to the
number one deterrent for the youth in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and
Venezuela - namely, its distance from Armenia. In addition, many have
found it difficult to afford the airfare, and therefore, parked the idea of
having the experience until their financial circumstances changed.
Making the South American youth unique in terms of becoming potential
participants is the time of year that college students are available to
serve. South American summer vacations take place during what are the
winter months in Armenia, so many of the youth signing on will be doing so
during the snowy months of January, February and March. Volunteering in the
Homeland at this time of year will only add to the uniqueness of their
life-changing experiences.
Seventeen South American-Armenian youth have already put ink on paper for
doing their part in Armenia - ten applicants will comprise the first wave of
volunteers in 2008 and another seven have already applied for 2009, with
many more inquiries to finalize over the coming weeks and months.
One applicant, Agostina Ramirez Schirinian wrote in her application, -I
never thought that I would have the opportunity to have an experience like
this. Each one of us has something to give to one another, something that
will help us find our identity, something that helps us be who we are
(Armenian).- She continues, -It is going to be a very productive and
positive experience, as much for my personal growth as well as for the
people I am going to meet and build friendships with while I'm there. A
reunion of youth, from different countries, cultures and traditions on
Armenian soil will have many long term positive affects.-
Leading the outreach events were Linda Yepoyan and Seta Iskandarian,
Birthright Armenia and Armenian Volunteer Corps directors, respectively, who
found there to be very strong cooperation amongst the youth groups in South
America. -AGBU and AYF youth in Cordoba, Rosario and Sao Paolo frequently
work together on issues of Armenian concern, and hosting Birthright Armenia
in their cities proved to be no exception,- stated Yepoyan. -The youth from
both organizations met us at the airport and jointly hosted well-attended
presentations, followed by social get-togethers that helped solidify our
relationship with hundreds of youth there. -We also met with many leaders
of the Armenian community and have already secured a number of commitments
to help fund the cost of Birthright Armenia's expansion into South America.
The high level of enthusiasm we felt everywhere we traveled was truly
inspirational,- she adds.
The Armenian population of Cordoba is estimated to be 5,000 people, who
pride themselves on having the first Armenian Church of South America in
their town. There was said to be 40 Armenian families in the city of
Neuquen, who settled there just three generations ago. And Rosario has what
can be described as a newly formed community as well. The youth from these
Argentinian cities will all converge in Armenia in the coming months and
years to say they are part of the movement that makes volunteering in
Armenia a rite of passage.
Birthright Armenia's mission is to strengthen ties between the homeland and
diasporan youth by affording them an opportunity to be a part of Armenia's
daily life and to contribute to Armenia's development through work, study
and volunteer experiences, while developing a renewed sense of Armenian
identity. For more information, or to make an online donation, please visit
our web site at www.birthrightarmenia.org.