Archbishop Hovnan Derderian had a vision to start a program for Canadian Armenian youth to build a bond with their ancestral homeland while he was the Primate of the Canadian Armenian church diocese in 1993. His vision became a reality and the Canadian Youth Mission to Armenia was born. This project is still very active and successful today in Canada under the direction of Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, the primate of the Canadian Armenian church diocese.
Kamer and I were fortunate enough to participate in the first and second mission with CYMA. The experiences we had living amongst Armenian families in the small villages of Ararat and Harij left a lasting impression on us. We felt very fortunate to have had the opportunity to volunteer in Armenia. In 1993 it was very touching and sad for us to visit homes of “freedom fighters” that had perished during the war in Kharabagh. So many families in Ararat were affected; we met children who lost their fathers, mothers who lost their children, wives who lost their husbands and finally, sisters and brothers who lost their siblings… we offered those families our love, prayers and hope. We helped build and restore an elementary school for the village; it was wonderful to see that the school is still operational today. In 1994 we visited Harij, there we met families who were devastated not only by the war in Azerbaijan, but also by the 1988 Earthquake in Armenia.
The program expanded that year and we began a “jambar” for the children in the village while we renovated an elementary school. The house blessings and visitations continued. All the participants again formed strong bonds with each other as well as the families they had the pleasure to stay and live with. Kamer and I have not been able to participate in any missions since 1994 because we got married in the summer of 1995 and had children. We stayed in touch with the families we stayed with and vowed that we would ensure that our children visit Armenia, remember their heritage and participate in future CYMA missions. Our dream came true this past summer, we had the opportunity to visit Armenia with our children and our friend Edmond Petrossian who also participated in the 1993 & 1994 CYMA missions with us. This was a unique experience for us all, a wonderful trip down memory lane. Kamer and I were thrilled to show our children the sites we helped restore and equally excited to show them that our work in Armenia was meaningful. We were all thrilled that the schools we worked on so many years ago were still being used to educate the children of Ararat and Harij.
The highlight of our trip was when we introduced our kids to the families we stayed with. It was wonderful to see them witness how our participation in the CYMA project still affects those families’ lives and continues to give them hope today. Both our children have a deep love for Armenia and remain steadfast that they will participate in the CYMA project when they are old enough. Kamer and I both endorse the program heavily to families with children. We believe in the CYMA program and know firsthand that the hope and strength the volunteerism brings to the North American Youth that participate in the program, as well as the families in Armenia that participate lasts a lifetime. Thank you to Archbishop Hovnan Derderian for beginning the program and to Bishop Bagrat Galstanian for continuing the legacy. – Brigitte Karakas, Vancouver BC 2012.
