Armenia

"Nobody tells you what to expect with 15-year-old boys," says Barbara Tembeckjian, humorously referring to her newly appointed rank as host mother to teenage exchange students, Emil Zalinian and David Amarian, from Armenia. But after a short period of time in her latest role, and a few extra trips to the grocery store, Mrs. Tembeckjian, a political reporter for the New York Daily News, just might be able to combine her experience into a best-selling "how to" novel.

Education reform has reached Yerevan. Such has been the result of an eight-month project of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) to help Yerevan State University (YSU), revitalize its curriculum, as part of a major reform movement within the university.

Medzamor, Armenia — Like the contro­versial "not-guilty" verdict in the O.J. Simpson trial, arguments are likely to continue for months over the safety of restarting Armenia's nuclear power station. This, despite the trouble-free performance of the reactor until its shutdown in February 1989, and years of meticulous refurbishment, safety and seismic upgrades that preceded the reopening of the facility.

The surgical work that we do in Armenia is tremendously rewarding. When I see a child on whom we have repaired a cleft lip, and see how pleased the mother and father are when they see the result and realize that their child will live a near normal life, I know that our time and energy were well spent," said reconstructive surgeon Dr. A. Scott Earle, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon who recently returned from a two-week mission at the AGBU Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Center (PRSC) in Yerevan.

Yerevan — The transition from a central­ly planned economy to a system of free enterprise is an uphill battle for Armenia, but change is in the air and the first signs of progress are already visible. Privatization is moving forward — through at a much slower pace than originally planned. Small shops and private businesses are mushrooming across the country and for the first time in two years, unemployment is on the decline — though slightly.

When the afternoon school bells ring in Armenia, not every student goes straight home. Today, over 8,000 students ages 5 to 18 trek to the Nork, Arapkir and Malatya Children's Creative Centers to dance, sing, and immerse themselves in the arts and humanities. The centers were opened in 1992 through the financial support of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and under the direction of the Araratian Diocese, in order to supplement existing public education in Armenia.

Stepanakert — Nagorno-Karabakh may have quietly dropped out of international television, radio and newspaper reports, but the small "independent republic" is still there and has no intention of going away. Out of the limelight, the government of Nagorno-Karabakh is busy building a new infrastructure, improving communications within the enclave, and enhancing education, health and social services for its estimated 150,000 inhabitants.

In order to have a clearer perspective of life in Armenia after independence, it seemed a good idea to visit a few cities in Russia, particularly those with large concentrations of Armenians. As a vacation I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. As a fact finding trip it was interesting. All things considered, Armenia, in comparison, is doing at least as well, if not considerably better, than most places.

Thanks to the contributions of thousands of AGBU donors the Yerevan, Sevan, Hrazdan and Etchmiadzin "Soup Kitchens" continue to serve almost 1000 elderly pensioners and orphans daily. On a recent visit in October, I was surprised to see two of the Soup Kitchens half full with seated diners. But looking to the food counter I noticed dozens of people waiting with bags containing pots and pans brought from home.

If you ask average citizens on the street "are you happy with democracy" you will hear emotional, angry responses as they describe their inability to feed their families or pay for health care or find work. If you ask professionals or bureaucrats, whose careers were once guaranteed by the government regardless of their skills and who now find themselves facing early retirement, they too will respond with bitterness as they find their positions in society devalued.

“After two years of day and night study, we are eager to begin our careers”, said valedictorian Mayda Aghababian during the American University of Armenia's third graduation ceremonies in October. Ninety seniors, the largest graduating class since the inception of the University on Independence Day, September 21, 1991, received their Master's Degree diplomas in Business and Management, Political Science and Engineering.

Yerevan — Four years of independence has given Armenia its first post-communist constitution and new Parliament but no meaningful opposition to safeguard against the temptations of an autocratic regime. Some critics say the new constitution has given too much power to the President of the Republic. Others say it has blocked millions of Armenians in the Diaspora from taking an active role in the process of nation-building.

Armenia was the first nation in the world to officially adopt Christianity as its national religion in 301 AD. Having survived the test of time and history, the Church in Armenia today faces another serious challenge — the rejuvenation of the Christian faith in a country bruised by seventy years of Communist rule. In April, 1995, His Holiness Karekin I was elected Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians.