Diaspora Armenian teachers are completely involved in the training courses. They even use their free time to gather and discuss their issues of concern. They also exchange experiences and promise to stay in touch and help each other out in case of need.

Marine Aghajanyan, one of the active teachers, talks about all issues concerning Diaspora Armenians with pain in her heart. She has become so dedicated to her job that she views the lives, happiness and sadness of the members of her community as her own. Perhaps this is due to the fact that Aghajanyan is a descendant of the cordial people of Armenia’s Shirak Province. Aghajanyan is from Odessa and has been teaching at the local Armenian children’s development center for the past three years. The members of the community had dreamed about the opening of the center for a long time, and the dream came true through the endless efforts of the members.

“We established this cultural center five years ago with the dream of opening a club for children as well. We turned our dream into a reality with the leader of the Armenian women’s committee Anna Gevorgyan.  Our idea was that children need to be raised and educated at an early age because they absorb everything like a sponge and need to be aware of the Armenian identity at exactly that age,” Marine Aghajanyan mentions.

She works with the children and prepares them for their classes at the Armenian Sunday school. The Diaspora Armenian expert sees a problem with assimilation, especially as children forget the language. She also sometimes sees dangers posting a threat to faith. “Various sects, as well as people who believe in Islam very often make youth convert and attract them in various ways. Their preaching has a strong impact, and I can bring up specific examples of how they have truly converted people,” says Marine Aghajanyan, adding that Diaspora Armenian teachers are working on this by teaching the history of the Armenian Church at the Armenian Sunday school, but it seems as though the students don’t treat the issue seriously. According to the teacher, religion should be taught like language is taught. It all comes down to families. We have stated several times that parents have to make efforts, but we have also stated that parents often help make their children forget the mother language. Mrs. Aghajanyan has also clashed with this issue, especially with families that have just settled in Ukraine. She finds that teachers need to give parents explanations, and that’s exactly what they do.

Besides the Armenian Sunday school, the community also has a choir, a dance ensemble and a literary club. We hold events and celebrate all holidays, as well as anniversaries. We especially held big events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. “We have an active women’s committee that coordinates all activities and helps carry out programs aimed at preserving the Armenian identity,” Mrs. Aghajanyan mentions. The events in Ukraine made the Armenian community stronger and helped the members become a strong family. According to the teacher, this is part of the national image. When Armenians face danger, they stand united as one. The Armenian community of Odessa is evidence of this. The members of the community try to create a small Armenia in Ukraine with their culture, history and language. “Words can’t describe it. One has to see and feel it,” says Mrs. Aghajanyan.

Amalya Karapetyan

4^th year student of the Faculty of Journalism of Yerevan State University