It is not very difficult to write a project proposal, in fact it is quite easy to imagine, estimate, make educated guesses, calculate and type out the perfect plan. However, sometimes, in the real world—especially when the ‘real world’ is 7,000 miles away from where the plan was written, and where people don’t function as efficiently as computers—things change. Things turn out differently from what you had planned, dates and objectives change, and what you have at the end is something quite different and perhaps more unexpectedly real and beautiful than what you had originally planned.
The summer portion of Operation Reconstructing the Future, which was suppose to take at most of four weeks, involve myself, a group of students from the United States and Armenia, and the administrative body of the village of Tsaghkaber, transformed and expanded beyond any of our imaginations. To begin with, this project integrated and incorporated far more people than we could have ever hoped for. Members of my family became directly involved; namely my two uncles who dedicated an immense amount of their time and energy to helping me. Our wonderful friend and amazing film director, Robert Davidian became a essential part this project, as he documented our work and helped us along the way. A wonderful student group from Yerevan, called Breathing Walls, became a crucial component of the project when they helped us give life to the walls of the kindergarten. The members of the Lori Provence administration also participated in the realization of the project as they assisted with bureaucratic things such as, getting funding for the operation of the kindergarten and overseeing and supervising the kindergarten in my absence. Many of the villagers like my father’s college roommate, young school children, and numerous others who were truly interested in our work also partook in the Re-construction of their Future. Additionally the project lasted far longer than we had foreseen; instead of four weeks the project took two months. Furthermore, a much-anticipated portion of the project, the summer camp, was cancelled (or postponed until next year).
Thus, this project, which lasted far longer than we had foreseen; changed beyond what we had imagined; and included the help of a very astonishing group of people, who came together from around the world and worked with one another with the aim of giving the village of Tsaghkaber a functioning kindergarten and with that a much brighter future. The Opening Ceremony, which marked the beginning of a new future for the village of Tsaghkaber and the conclusion to a summer of hard labor, personal growth, and adventure had finally arrived. On Thursday, August 28th I along with Mr. Santrosyan—the village mayor—cut the red ribbon and invited the children of Tsaghkaber into their new kindergarten.
Hundreds of villagers joined us on this wonderful occasion. The rooms were filled with the chatter of the excited parents, the laughter of the happy children, words of gratitude, praise, and of course anticipation. It was extremely touching to see just how so many people gathered to celebrate the culmination of our work. The head attorney of the region of Lori, Alik Saakian, and the head of the department of culture, education and sport, Mher Melicyan also joined us in congratulating the residents of Tsaghkaber. Our hard work had finally paid off. The kindergarten was ready. The once empty walls were now filled with excitement and anticipation; anticipation for a new, brighter future; future filled education, empowerment, progress, and happiness.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was followed by a celebratory dinner. Everyone was more than happy to toast to our accomplishments, our future projects, to our health and our happiness. We were particularly admired for our young age and our friend and teammate Indelisa Muro was exceptionally appreciated for the work she has done for Armenia even though she isn’t Armenian. The table was immersed in hope for a brighter future, stories of olden days, anecdotes about Armenian culture, and simple companionship. Our evening was concluded with a beautiful patriotic song preformed by Mher Melicyan, the head of the department of culture, education, and sport who also happens to be an exceptional opera singer. The song, Yeraz im Yerkir (My Country My Dream), which is dear to all Armenians made us feel more at home than we ever had and reaffirmed our purpose and motivation for our work. We left the village feeling extremely accomplished and with the determination of returning and continuing the work we had started.
The summer portion of Operation Reconstructing the Future, which was suppose to take at most of four weeks, involve myself, a group of students from the United States and Armenia, and the administrative body of the village of Tsaghkaber, transformed and expanded beyond any of our imaginations. To begin with, this project integrated and incorporated far more people than we could have ever hoped for. Members of my family became directly involved; namely my two uncles who dedicated an immense amount of their time and energy to helping me. Our wonderful friend and amazing film director, Robert Davidian became a essential part this project, as he documented our work and helped us along the way. A wonderful student group from Yerevan, called Breathing Walls, became a crucial component of the project when they helped us give life to the walls of the kindergarten. The members of the Lori Provence administration also participated in the realization of the project as they assisted with bureaucratic things such as, getting funding for the operation of the kindergarten and overseeing and supervising the kindergarten in my absence. Many of the villagers like my father’s college roommate, young school children, and numerous others who were truly interested in our work also partook in the Re-construction of their Future. Additionally the project lasted far longer than we had foreseen; instead of four weeks the project took two months. Furthermore, a much-anticipated portion of the project, the summer camp, was cancelled (or postponed until next year).
Thus, this project, which lasted far longer than we had foreseen; changed beyond what we had imagined; and included the help of a very astonishing group of people, who came together from around the world and worked with one another with the aim of giving the village of Tsaghkaber a functioning kindergarten and with that a much brighter future. The Opening Ceremony, which marked the beginning of a new future for the village of Tsaghkaber and the conclusion to a summer of hard labor, personal growth, and adventure had finally arrived. On Thursday, August 28th I along with Mr. Santrosyan—the village mayor—cut the red ribbon and invited the children of Tsaghkaber into their new kindergarten.
Hundreds of villagers joined us on this wonderful occasion. The rooms were filled with the chatter of the excited parents, the laughter of the happy children, words of gratitude, praise, and of course anticipation. It was extremely touching to see just how so many people gathered to celebrate the culmination of our work. The head attorney of the region of Lori, Alik Saakian, and the head of the department of culture, education and sport, Mher Melicyan also joined us in congratulating the residents of Tsaghkaber. Our hard work had finally paid off. The kindergarten was ready. The once empty walls were now filled with excitement and anticipation; anticipation for a new, brighter future; future filled education, empowerment, progress, and happiness.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was followed by a celebratory dinner. Everyone was more than happy to toast to our accomplishments, our future projects, to our health and our happiness. We were particularly admired for our young age and our friend and teammate Indelisa Muro was exceptionally appreciated for the work she has done for Armenia even though she isn’t Armenian. The table was immersed in hope for a brighter future, stories of olden days, anecdotes about Armenian culture, and simple companionship. Our evening was concluded with a beautiful patriotic song preformed by Mher Melicyan, the head of the department of culture, education, and sport who also happens to be an exceptional opera singer. The song, Yeraz im Yerkir (My Country My Dream), which is dear to all Armenians made us feel more at home than we ever had and reaffirmed our purpose and motivation for our work. We left the village feeling extremely accomplished and with the determination of returning and continuing the work we had started.