Volunteering

Volunteering is not for everyone.  But for those who feel they have a higher calling in life, who seek a purpose in their travel and are willing to open their heart and mind to the world around them — volunteering can be one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. 

You may not change the world when you volunteer, but you will make a difference.  The simple act of giving and of sharing your life with others will change you in ways you can only imagine.  Discovering a new culture, a new purpose, and new friendships—these are experiences to last a lifetime.

Volunteering often includes home stays with local families—one of the best ways to immerse yourself into the culture and to learn the language. 

Most volunteering includes sight-seeing and time off to explore the culture on your own, and you can often determine the time you spend on a project, from a week or two, to months or years in some cases.

Armenia has a wide range of volunteering opportunities, from working with children or the aged to medical, education, environmental, advocacy and media projects.  There are internships for students; programs for volunteers with little or no experience as well as those tailored to specific abilities or professional qualifications. 

International Organizations

Organizations with short & long-term volunteer opportunities and welcome non-Armenians and Armenians alike:

Earthwatch Institute/Armenia (http://www.earthwatchxtreme.org/expedslides/greenwood.html)
Land and Culture (http://www.lcousa.org/asp/default.asp)
Terre et Culture (French) (anouch@landandculture.org)
Habitat for Humanity (http://www.hfharmenia.org/)
Volunteers for Peace
(http://www.vfp.org/)
Peace Corps: Armenia (http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.wherepc.easteurope.armenia)
Medecins Sans Frontieres / Doctors without Borders (http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news/armenia.cfm) 
Oxfam (http://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam_in_action/where_we_work/armenia.html)

European-based
The BEM Youth Progressive Action Centre (http://www.falkor.org/projects/bem.html)
European Volunteer Service (http://www.britishcouncil.org/connectyouth-programmes-european-voluntary-service.htm)
European Youth Portal (http://europa.eu/youth/volunteering_-_exchanges/european_voluntary_service/index_eu_en.html)

Organizations with short & long-term volunteer opportunities and that focus on volunteers of Armenian lineage:

Birthright Armenia (http://www.birthrightarmenia.org/)
Fund for Armenian Relief (http://www.farusa.org/)
Armenian Volunteer Corps (http://www.armenianvolunteer.org)
Armenian Assembly of America (www.aaainc.org)
Armenian General Benevolent Union (http://www.agbu.org/programs/default.asp)
Armenian Student Association (http://www.asainc.org/national/internship/)
Armenian Youth Federation (http://www.ayf.org/Events/InternshipinArmenia/tabid/63/Default.aspx)
InfoYouth Armenia (http://www.infoyouth.am/youthorganization.html)
Canadian Youth Mission (www.armenianchurch.ca)
Diaspora Armenia-Connection (UK) (www.da-connexion.com)

Armenian Projects
These are local organizations that host volunteers.  All welcome non-Armenians and Armenians alike.

Arts & Architecture
Bars Media http://www.barsmedia.am/
NPAK (http://www.accea.org/)
Naregatsi Art Institute http://www.naregatsi.org/
Research on Armenian Architecture http://www.raa.am/

Children & the Aged
Manana Youth Educational Cultural Center (http://www.mananayouth.org/)
Mission Armenia (http://www.mission.am/)
Orran (http://www.orran.am/)
SOS (http://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/)
FAR Homeless Children’s Center (www.farusa.org)

Development/Democracy
UNICEF (http://www.unicef.org/armenia/)
Civil Society Institute (http://www.csi.am/eng/)
Counterpart International (http://www.counterpart.org/)
International Center for Human Development (http://www.ichd.org/)
Children of Armenia (http://www.coafkids.org/)
Transparency (http://www.transparency.am/)

Disabled
Pyunic (http://www.pyunic.org/)
Bridge of Hope (http://www.bridgeofhope.am/)
Friends of Warm hearth (http://www.friendsofwarmhearth.org/)
Gavar Special School (http://gavarspecialschool.org/)

Ecological
Armenia Tree Project (http://www.armeniatree.org/?ArmeniaDiaspora.com)
Armenian Forests NGO (http://armenianforests.am/home.html)
Shen (http://www.shen.am/)
Rural Youth of Armenia, http://www.ruralyouth.am/index.php

Education/Teaching
Gladzor University (http://www.gladzor.am/)

Human Rights
Armenian Young Lawyers Union (http://www.ayla.am/)

Media
Caucasus Media Institute (http://www.caucasusmedia.org/)
VEM Radio (http://www.vem.am/?go=news)
DEEM (http://www.deemcommunications.com/)

Medical/ Health
Armenian Red Cross Society (http://www.redcross.am/)
Children of Armenia Fund (https://www.coafkids.org/involve/jobs.php)
For Family and Health (http://armfha.com/index.html)
World Vision (http://www.wvarmenia.am/en/)
Arabkir Medical Center 9 http://www.arabkirjmc.am/)

Public Policy
Armenian International Policy Research (http://www.aiprg.net/en/)
International Center for Human Development (http://www.ichd.org/)

Rural Development
Economic Consulting Service: Giumri (http://www.volunteerabroad.com/listingsp3.cfm/listing/38583)

Women’s Rights
Women’s Rights Center (http://www.wrcorg.am/)