Armenian Volunteers Corps (AVC) offers myriad opportunities in connecting volunteers from all over the world with various organizations, associations and institutions.  From publishing houses and educational centers to film studios and tree projects, each organization in its own unique way strives to face certain issues for the improvement of life in the community. Moreover, AVC’s motto-invitation, which at the same time is an open letter – “Come move Mountains” – is difficult not to accept. 

While doing research and reading the blogs of AVC and the sister organization Birthright Armenia websites, I came across to a graceful reflection from one of the program’s past participants from Denmark; to quote: “I am constantly searching for something, which is still a mystery, but I can feel it has a strong connection to Armenia.” Need I confess that I feel the same way, and that this is what essentially led my path to Armenia? 

Someone once has said: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” Regardless of who we may have been or may become, Armenia accepts us according to our heart’s content, discovered or undiscovered interests, the spirit of venture or familiarity, in short, what lies within each one of us at the present moment. 

It is this principle that during my one month visit to Armenia has given me the opportunity to do workshops on the profession of librarianship for Together4Armenia through Mission East; to assist with digitizing a multilingual collection of books for Masis Youth Center; to contribute in the creation of a database for a startup platform for Wedzig, as well as to assist with the archive digitization, transliteration and translation for the Public Radio. In having been given the opportunity to express what lies within me, I am kindly indebted to Armenia and to AVC.

David Turshyan (USA)
AVC Professional Corps Volunteer from July 7 to August 7, 2017