March 10, 2000
By: Daniel L. Muñoz
March 1, 2000, Yarvan, Armenia…
This is a country that has been Catholic since the fourth
century AD though not in communion with the Pope, there has been
movement to bring the Armenian church back into the realm of the
Holy See. Turkey lies to the South West, the Black Sea to the
West, Russia to the North and the Caspian Sea to the East. Armenia
has been on the main road to conquest by every major empire since
Alexander the Great who attempted to conquer the ancient world
in 336 AD. Now it is under peaceful invasion by the Peace Corps
which is attempting to lend a hand to Armenians in developing
their own country.
The Peace Corps was first established on March 1, 1961 by President John Kennedy with the purpose of providing technical assistance to countries requesting such services. It is an organization of volunteers. It arrived in Armenia in 1992 when they requested that a Peace Corps Center be established in Yarn, the capitol of Armenia.
Armenia Through My Eyes
Ms. Diana Gomez, an original founder of the Mexican American Foundation, Patron of the Arts, sponsor of various schools for the mentally handicapped of Tijuana, lecturer and spokeswoman for AA, and NA in the U.S.A. and Mexico, became one such Peace Corp volunteer. She signed up for three years and got posted to Armenia. She now writes to La Prensa San Diego of her impressions, her activities, and of her feelings.
"It has been over six months since I arrived in Armenia and I am already missing my children, my friends and my home in Bonita. San Diego seems so far away. Armenia is a far different world than what I had known before. I knew it was going to be that way when I applied to the PEACE CORP. Even at my age, I was still idealistic and wanted to somehow contribute to humanity."
As a member of the Peace Corp team, Diana was involved in Small Enterprise projects, English Education and in Health Extension Projects. It was no surprise that she became interested in the education component and has devoted her efforts in that direction.
Cultural Shock
"The people of Armenia are very literate people. Everyone seems to be able to read, and write, regardless of their standard of living. The people have so much pride in their country, their children and families. I have been impressed with how gifted and talented they are. Most of them speak four languages: Armenian, Russian, English or German, and their own native local dialect. Surprisingly, Español or French is also well known (must be the influence of the Catholic Church). In many ways they remind me of our own Latinos… sometimes temperamental but very respectful. Much like our dinners in Mexico, they can be at the dinner table for three hours! Unfortunately, everyone seems to drink a lot. But, it is mostly over dinner so there isn't problems with being drunk. I have found the people of Armenia to be intense, probably from their past national problems. They are highly sensitive to nature. The governments have not been stable in the past. As a consequence there is a high unemployment rate in the country and salaries are very low. A teacher is paid $10 per month. I have come to a place where I feel needed. I am trying to plant seeds for the future. There is so much need."
Getting Educated
"I am in Yervan. The first thing I have to do is to go to the Peace Corps office to pick up my mail (I am so homesick… I can't believe it.) Darn, my credit cards haven't arrived. I have no money. Oh God, I hate to borrow money… Rebecca may lend me 10,000 drams!
"Accels (a foundation that gives scholarships) is coming to town. I must have Tigran and Osana (both 14 years old) ready for the test. If they pass, I will be going to Sisian for the second test. Tigran and Osana, are from Arpi and are in the 8th grad... They didn't pass their exams this time! maybe next year.
Gohar, Armine, Nushik, and Naira are our teachers of Armenian language. They are applying for Post Graduate degrees. They have taken the Toefl test. I love what I am now doing. It feels wonderful to help them find their dreams and to realize them. Their minds are very complicated. They have many fears and beliefs. I am having a hard time understanding their culture. I will take the time to learn. They also must learn about me and trust me. They will come out of their shell.
"Armine quit," Gohar cried out. She believes the University betrayed them. "The scores are not fair," she said. "They only want to make money out of us. They give us low scores only so we will pay for extra classes." "How do you know that," I asked her. "That is the Armenian way! You have to pay a bribe for everything. Even to have good scores." "Aha," I thought, "this I understand, having been raised in Mexico City where La mordida was and is the way of life. A few weeks later they both had the right scores."
A new adventure. Today, Narine invited me to go to her school in Arakgadzor, a village close to my town. It was a 5 km walk. There are no buses or cars going that way. It was fun anyway because the road was all going down hill. Coming back would not be so much fun! They had a party for one of the teachers. They had quite a feast, great food. Then, an Armenian lady asked me to dance. At first, I was surprised. Then, I remembered that in Armenia women dance with women! Walking is good. I am losing weight!
Peace Corps Day Celebrated
On March 11, 2000 the people of
Yeghegnadzor will join together to celebrate "Peace Corps
Day 2000," a celebration of Peace and International Friendship.
This event brings together local artists, students, teachers,
directors, and Peace Corps volunteers to celebrate the theme "Let
there be peace in the world" (Haistan). A full day of activities
is planned including special performances by the Vayots, Dzor
youths, ages 7-16 years. There will be singing, dancing, poetry
readings, and music. It will be held at the Yeghegnadzor Art Museum.
The first concert will be by the "Messengers of Peace,"
forty five children from the local schools. The children are dearly
loved by the local community. Their angelic voices bring hopes
to the people of Armenia that one day we will have peace throughout
the world. Artist from Yeghegn-adzor will have their works of
art on display along with work of 26 children who will display
their vision of what peace is in the world. The art will be sponsored
by Kamo Zahakian the director of the Art Museum.
Attending the Peace Corp Celebration will be the Governor, the Ambassador from the U.S. Embassy, the regional Bishop (Armenia is very Catholic), the Directors and the volunteers from the Peace Corps will be present as well as assisting in the preparations.
PEACE CORPS, THE USA Embassy will be coming together with the community and celebrate this wonderful day! At the end of the day we will all hold hands in a circle and sing the closure "Let there be peace in the world."
Diana Gomez
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