For Arevik, 13, and Edita, 11, the summer camp at Aragats in Hankavan, Kotayk Province, has been a place for recovery and a valuable platform for connecting with other displaced Artsakhtsi children and peers from various regions of Armenia.
A few years ago, the sisters attended a summer camp in Artsakh. "It was a three-day outdoor camp where we did a lot of hiking, including a visit to the 'Tatik-Papik' statue in Stepanakert," recalls Arevik, her eyes filled with emotion as she remembers the 12 happy and memorable years she spent in Artsakh.
The family once lived in Poghosagomer village in the Martakert region. Arevik used to dream of becoming a hairstylist to help villagers with different haircuts and styles. "Now, I want to become a doctor to heal the injured and prevent illnesses," says Arevik, who excels in STEM subjects at Sisian Secondary School and aims to attend the Medical University of Armenia. Despite the fresh memories of Azerbaijani shelling and forced displacement, she remains unafraid. "I was coming home on September 19 when the bombing started. It was very loud, and I barely made it home. Mom took us to the basement, where we stayed overnight. The next day, our granny came, and we headed to Stepanakert for five days before moving to Sisian, where we've been staying for months," she notes, adding that their faith in God kept them strong.
The sisters, like thousands of other Artsakhtsi children, missed school for a while but are now thriving academically. "One valuable lesson we learned at Aragats camp is to behave well and politely towards each other, respect one another, and be friendly," says Edita. She admits that Arevik often calms her down when she misbehaves. "We participated in physical and intellectual activities, like outdoor Olympiads, painting, and reading. I painted a girl's portrait, and Edita drew a vase with fruits. I loved the Armenian dance 'Khamkhama' because it symbolizes unity and strength," notes Arevik, while Edita adds, "I liked 'Papuri' the most, a national Armenian dance we often performed at the camp."
The Aragats Summer Camp ran in two shifts from June 24 to July 26. 317 FAR-supported children from different regions of Armenia, including orphans, children from low-income families, Artsakh displaced kids, and Syrian Armenian children, enjoyed a two-week vacation filled with ethnographic and modern dances, patriotic songs, traditional games, and learning about customs from various regions. Each day ended with a summary of the day's events, joyful songs, dances, and a beloved disco night.
The children engaged in sports competitions, exhibitions of paintings and handicrafts, and expeditions. They found the visits and conversations with scientists from ANSEF and ASOF foundations about world perception, developments, and scientific facts particularly fascinating and educational. The camp provided them with fun, nutritious food, improved health, new friendships, and lasting memories filled with warmth and joy.
To help more displaced children from Artsakh experience the joys of childhood, please consider donating to FAR today!
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