The council of Jrvezh village has been collaborating with the RA Ministry of Diaspora and hosting the participants of the “Ari Tun” Program for several years now. This year the villagers hosted 16 Jordanian-Armenian participants of the “Ari Tun” Program and their teacher Raquel Asatrian-Markarian. As head of the village Robert Petrosyan mentioned, it seems as though the participants came and revitalized life in the village. “Thanks to the village council and the host families, the children felt safe and comfortable. We organized different kinds of events that helped the participants get to know each other and featured performances by the Jrvezh Dance Ensemble and children of the village. On the weekends, we took the children to Yerevan Zoo and Water World. I believe the “Ari Tun” Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora is truly a success. What we’re doing is important.”

The last day was unforgettable for the children because the village council had organized a farewell event. The participants of the program laid flowers near the cross-stone eternalizing the memory of the Armenians who sacrificed their lives in the Artsakh war, after which they participated in the farewell banquet.

Mrs. Raquel Asatrian-Markarian, teacher of the Yuzbashian-Gubekian School of Jordan, didn’t wish to bid farewell because they were going to return. “We’re going now, but we’ll return and with more children. Diaspora Armenian children must definitely become familiar with Armenia, feel the power of the homeland and learn about their history. We’re extremely grateful to the Ministry of Diaspora and the council of Jrvezh village for the reception and the generosity. Words can’t describe. The days went by so fast!”

At the end, representatives of the Ministry of Diaspora and the council of Jrvezh village granted certificates of appreciation to the host families and illustrated books to the children.

Emma Vardanyan

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