On Friday we returned from our first mini- project week. So I figured it was time for a new blog post. 😉
For all non- UWCers: we have project weeks two times a year. It basically means that we are split up into groups of about seven to ten people and two teachers, travel for a week and get engaged in different projects.
As this was our first project week ever, we were off campus for three days and all groups stayed within the country to get to know several NGOs and to improve our understanding of the different communities.
My group went to Noyemberyan, a town near Azerbaijan and Georgia, about 3km from the Azerbaijan border.
Here:
We were guided by two American Peace Corps volunteers who work with NGOs in Noyemberyan. They took us to the YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) that provides support for women in Noyemberyan, including a bunch different projects such as job and skill trainings. We visited a local kindergarden which is run by the YWCA. Here are some pictures:
lunch at YWCA kindergarden
We also visited a local high school. We were welcomed very nicely and got to talk to the local students. Some of them also attended a meeting with regional youth groups on Friday which turned out to be not just a lot of fun but also very productive. It seems that the news about UWC Dilijan have spread in pretty much every corner of Armenia and it was interesting to hear the student’s questions as well as their ideas for future projects that we could run together. Once we got into talking, I really enjoyed the interested and welcoming atmosphere in the room – I’m still amazed by the way those kids are constantly trying to bring their community forward. Regardless the limted resources or the lack of support by their government.
visiting the local high school
meeting with youth groups
I really enjoyed the trip to Noyemberyan. We had a lot of fun and I enjoyed discovering new parts of Armenia. By the way: Even the three- hour – bus trip from Dilijan to Noyemberyan is already worth it. The landscape is gorgeous (did I mention that we already had the first snow fall ?!) and an amazing group and loud music makes it even more fun. 😉
At the end: a few more pics that I couldn’t categorize in any of the ones above …. enjoy watching. All the best from Dilijan,
Maike
Well done, Alina 😉