Buckets of Rain and Songs of Hope

heading for lunch in the domik

The results of our bucket line - it's almost full!

Thursday morning, pouring rain, pouring rain - rain coats and Fuller Center baseball hats on our heads we loaded up the van and headed to the worksite. We stopped on the way to pick up a tarp.  Muddy mountain roads, high rivers, low hanging fog in the valley. Greens looked greener. 

Bucket line under the tarp

Our tarp over the house skeleton provided a sheltered area for our bucket line.  Frequent coffee breaks, team humor and the passion to accomplish our mission to fill in the floors, fueled our efforts.  Twelve team members and 5 family members joined in and despite the mud that swallowed our boots, 6,722 buckets later we had accomplished our day's goal.

We dined in the domik today with the family for lunch - all of us squeezed into a tiny space to sit at a lavishly decorated table filled with amazing home cooked food.  On our breaks Armenian coffee, cakes and breads are filling in the calories we burn on the bucket line. 

Saturday we return to the home to begin concrete work.

Pottery vessels made by children

After returning to the hotel to clean up we visited an Armenian day program for children - ORRAN. Highlights of their mission:  1. To divert children from the streets and engage them in academic, cultural and extra-curricular activities.  2. Fight the concept of beggar children as the principal breadwinners for their family  3. Help families in "crisis" 4. Prevent the spread of destitution and begging among Armenia's children and the elderly.

We met all 50 children who are currently being served. They were beautiful, eager to meet and speak with us. The program provides transportation, well balanced meals, medical and dental care, psychological and social services, classes for them to learn skills and talents and overall builds their confidence.   The kids sang us songs, asked us questions after we had introduced ourselves to the classrooms and showed us their artwork. They make beautiful paintings, pottery and wood carvings.    Most families served earn less than $100 per month, many don't have an income and government assistance provides about $30/month.There is tremendous dedication to the children served.

ORRAN School for Children

After the children were taken home, we enjoyed a meal with the staff and had a chance to practice our Armenian and they their English. We found out they have a flourishing Junior Achievement program (who knew it would be in Vanadzor). 

Amenia as a country is very dedicated to its children - they are revered and cherished. Education is a priority. Literacy is extremely high. There is love. There is hope.