While Srbuhi gracefully raises her hand, mirroring a dancer's elegant movements, Nikolay watches intently, trying to mimic her steps. They have been at the Aragats summer camp in Kotayk for eight days now, eagerly embracing every moment of joy and peace. Aragats camp, their first experience of its kind, has become a bright contrast to their past in Martakert region of Artsakh where they were born and raised until September of 2023.
Nikolay, 13, and Srbuhi, 10, are energetic and curious, eager to build meaningful friendships at the camp. The Tavadyan family, including their mother Marine Avtandilyan and older sister Luiza, 26, has faced a long and arduous journey. After fleeing Martakert, they now rent a house in Hnaberd village, Ararat province, trying to integrate and start anew. Marine is still looking for work, adding to their challenges.
In Martakert, they lived in a spacious house with separate rooms. "Mom used to bake bread, and we went to school. After the 2020 war, we came back to find our roof destroyed. We fixed it and resumed our lives until September 2023," Nikolay recalls. The memories of displacement are hazy; exhaustion blurred the details of their escape from one village to another. "We were about to go to school when the shelling began. It was like 2020 all over again," Nikolay recounts, describing how he comforted Srbuhi and fled without warm clothes or food.
Srbuhi, though reluctant to talk about their displacement, shares her own loss. "A few days before the shelling, we celebrated my 10th birthday. Mom gave me a special cup, and I had a money box with 500 dram coins. I left them both," she says, smiling through her tears. "I'll start saving again in Hnaberd."
At camp, Nikolay and Srbuhi's curiosity flourishes. They’ve met Davit Zargarian, a University of Montreal professor visiting for the Armenian Society of Fellows' Annual Conference that was held a few days before. Davit's lessons about the world and human geography have captivated them. Srbuhi, who dreams of becoming a doctor, has found these talks about chemistry, human body, and the environment in general, particularly inspiring.
“The children, the campers, were amazing. I was impressed by their vivid imaginations and deep curiosity,” Davit confesses. “This camp is a great opportunity for them to explore and learn.”
Nikolay lives for the summer camp. “I also love playing soccer with my friends here. I miss mom, but I don’t want to leave. We play, talk, dance—even though I’m not great at it,” he says, beaming. Nikolay dreams of opening a car repair shop. “I used to dismantle and reassemble my bike in our garden. I believe in my efforts and desire. I can make it happen,” he declares, confident that God, who has always been with them, will help.
“On our way from Artsakh to Artashat, we crossed a bridge just before it was destroyed. We were 100 meters away when it happened. We were asleep and didn’t feel anything. Mom told us later,” he recalls, his faith unshaken.
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, have 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!