I think it's safe to say that up until this week none of us really understood the difficulty of the project we choose to bring to life. Throughout the past month and a half we had been working mostly outside of the village. A portion of our project was a weeklong summer camp, which I (Margarita), Hasmik, Astkhik and Indelisa were supposed to host. In this weeklong process our plans were to host the summer camp, help hire workers, register the kindergartners and have an opening ceremony. But things did not go as we had planned.
Upon our arrival we discovered that much of the work that was supposed to be completed weeks ago was left undone and new problems began to emerge as the four of us became construction workers, plumbers, electricians, cleaning ladies and honorary villagers. Each day held its own set of obstacles that the four of us overcame through teamwork, our collective desire to succeed and the generous help of the villagers.
We woke up everyday picked and cooked our breakfast and left to the kindergarten only to return late in the evening; at times as late as 2 am--yes 2 am because the furniture was delivered 10 hours later than the agreed upon time. We painted, we cleaned, helped run water pipes and plumbing and cleaned up over 10 buckets of water because our kitchen flooded. We made several trips to the Vanadzor and Spitak to purchase missing supplies. Spent hours scraping off old paint from windows, assembling furniture and installing kitchen appliances.
Fresh problems seemed to arise every day frustrating us even further, but although slowly our work was moving forward. Our biggest obstacle the village mayor, Mr.Santrosyan, constantly frustrated us by refusing to complete administrative tasks but eventually although much slower than we had hoped for began to work with us. The regional government on the other hand was ecstatic to help us by allocating a budget for workers and food, and completing the necessary paperwork.
The obstacles were difficult to overcome but we did. In the process we also had an amazing time. Our days were always brightened by the curious villages who walked in to see the work we are doing, especially the group of 3rd and 4th graders who came to the kindergarten to helps us every single day. They were an amazing group of boys who ran errands, brought us buckets of water and even bought us ice cream, not once but twice. Later we discovered that these children were recipients of gifts from Armenian Charity Club, a charity club my sister and I started in Ulysses S. Grant High School in 2009. Of course this fact made us further appreciate and value the work we were doing.
This week was far more difficult than any of us imagined. But we were able to overcome every hurdle on the way, and left the village having completed our mission. We met amazing villagers like Samvel (the former village mayor) and Gegham (the engineer who ran our water pipes). These two men left their daily jobs in order to help us with our project. They not only helped but also encouraged us. They were physical and emotional support at a very difficult time.
Like the rocky, muddy path that leads to the kindergarten this week was full of unexpected hurdles, but our steps had to be firm. We knew that nothing was worth more than the success of our project, which is why we were able to succeed. We left the village with the kindergarten completely furnished, a principle and accountant hired and ready for an opening ceremony.
Upon our arrival we discovered that much of the work that was supposed to be completed weeks ago was left undone and new problems began to emerge as the four of us became construction workers, plumbers, electricians, cleaning ladies and honorary villagers. Each day held its own set of obstacles that the four of us overcame through teamwork, our collective desire to succeed and the generous help of the villagers.
We woke up everyday picked and cooked our breakfast and left to the kindergarten only to return late in the evening; at times as late as 2 am--yes 2 am because the furniture was delivered 10 hours later than the agreed upon time. We painted, we cleaned, helped run water pipes and plumbing and cleaned up over 10 buckets of water because our kitchen flooded. We made several trips to the Vanadzor and Spitak to purchase missing supplies. Spent hours scraping off old paint from windows, assembling furniture and installing kitchen appliances.
Fresh problems seemed to arise every day frustrating us even further, but although slowly our work was moving forward. Our biggest obstacle the village mayor, Mr.Santrosyan, constantly frustrated us by refusing to complete administrative tasks but eventually although much slower than we had hoped for began to work with us. The regional government on the other hand was ecstatic to help us by allocating a budget for workers and food, and completing the necessary paperwork.
The obstacles were difficult to overcome but we did. In the process we also had an amazing time. Our days were always brightened by the curious villages who walked in to see the work we are doing, especially the group of 3rd and 4th graders who came to the kindergarten to helps us every single day. They were an amazing group of boys who ran errands, brought us buckets of water and even bought us ice cream, not once but twice. Later we discovered that these children were recipients of gifts from Armenian Charity Club, a charity club my sister and I started in Ulysses S. Grant High School in 2009. Of course this fact made us further appreciate and value the work we were doing.
This week was far more difficult than any of us imagined. But we were able to overcome every hurdle on the way, and left the village having completed our mission. We met amazing villagers like Samvel (the former village mayor) and Gegham (the engineer who ran our water pipes). These two men left their daily jobs in order to help us with our project. They not only helped but also encouraged us. They were physical and emotional support at a very difficult time.
Like the rocky, muddy path that leads to the kindergarten this week was full of unexpected hurdles, but our steps had to be firm. We knew that nothing was worth more than the success of our project, which is why we were able to succeed. We left the village with the kindergarten completely furnished, a principle and accountant hired and ready for an opening ceremony.