By Puzant Berberian
My Camp Javakhk experience this summer was nothing short of incredible. The lifelong friends I made and the children I worked with, who unknowingly affected me more than I taught them, have not left my mind.
‘My Camp Javakhk experience this summer was nothing short of incredible.’
Camp Javakhk opened my eyes to one of the most underrepresented, marginalized, and often forgotten Armenian community that lives only kilometers away from the current Republic of Armenia. Being aware of the history, the culture, and the realities facing Javakhk, has given me a new perspective.
There is no doubt in my mind that this program is changing the lives of the youth in Javakhk. These children are bright, intelligent, and eager to learn about the world outside their towns and villages. They asked questions about Armenia, America, Artsakh, and many other places they had never visited. They raised their hands high as possible when we posed questions about what we had learned during the lessons.
I vividly remember our last day of camp in Akhalkalak and how hard it was to part ways with the campers. They smiled, they cried, and they laughed as we said our goodbyes, asking if we would ever come back. I carried Maneh—one of my favorite campers—and told her I was definitely going to come back. Her face lit up and this shy but tough little girl finally gave me a huge hug.
Thank you, Camp Javakhk, for the unforgettable summer. I highly recommend this program to anyone considering it. I am confident that whoever participates will be thrilled with this unique experience. I am looking forward to the next time I visit Javakhk.
Puzant Berberian participated in Camp Javakhk’s 2016 summer program.
Camp Javakhk is program of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) that consists of four day camps in the towns of Akhalkalak, Akhaltskha, Ninotsminda, and Dzalka within the Armenian-populated Javakhk region of Georgia. These camps are organized and planned by a committee of Armenian youth from the Eastern Region of the United States.
The camp is done free of charge for participants, lunch and snacks are provided and school materials given. The camp counselors are Armenian youth primarily from North America that travel to Armenia and Javakhk to connect with their homeland and cultivate bonds with fellow Armenians.
Source: Armenian Weekly
Link: Camp Javakhk: Thank You