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16 The Armenian Reporter | October 25, 2008 Armenia A bold leap into the unknown, kids and all One family’s repatriation story by Nyree Abrahamian YEREVAN – Raffi Niziblian and Lara Aharonian are the quintessential modern Armenian couple. Married, with three beautiful children, they have demanding careers and a fulfilling family life . . . in Yerevan. Raffi and Lara are part of a growing repatriation movement among diaspora Armenians. They have been living in Armenia since 2003 with their three children: Amassia, 8, Varanta, 6, and Vayk, 3, who was born in Armenia. The couple met and married in Montreal, where they had both immigrated with their families at a young age. Raffi was born in Jordan, spent his early years in Kuwait, and moved to Montreal at the age of 9. Lara was born in Lebanon, fled to Cyprus during the war in 1990, and moved from there to Montreal. The two had a lot of common interests and seemed to click from very early on. “We’ve done a lot together,” reflects Lara, “Scouting, school.... We basically grew up together.” Both Raffi and Lara developed an early love for Armenia and had visited the country during the Soviet era; Raffi in 1990, with the Hamazkain dance group (he was the lead dancer), and Lara in 1985, as part of a program in Lebanon that sent the best students to a summer camp in Armenia. In 1999, to celebrate their first anniversary, the couple came to Armenia through the Land and Culture Organization (LCO) to help with the renovations of a church. They returned with LCO in 2001 (this time to Shushi) with their first daughter Amassia, who was hardly a year old. They would take turns with the baby and sometimes bring her along to the worksite. “I used to put her in her stroller and she Raffi Niziblian. Deem Commuinications Deem is a full-service marketing and communications agency that covers advertising, PR and events planning. Raffi Niziblian, who has a background in communications studies from Concordia University, had an idea early on of starting a radio station that would link Armenia to the West. “I think I created that with Deem,” he says, “It brings a Western perspective to marketing and communications in Armenia. There is a growing need for local and international companies investing in Armenia now.” The young company has quickly gained success and recognition, working with such high profile clients as Armenia Marriott Hotel, Zvartnots International Airport, Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guy Manoukian and Nune Yesayan, to name a few. In two years, Deem has expanded from a two-person operation to a staff of eleven, plus designers who they outsource work to. The ‘Deem Team’ is a colorful, energetic and diverse group. “The most interesting part is our staff,” says Raffi, “We’re a mix of diaspora Armenians from Canada, the United States, and Lebanon, and local Armenian experts.” Currently, Deem also has two interns, from Argentina and Canada. Asked about the challenges of starting a business in Armenia, Raffi responds, “There were actually much fewer obstacles than I’d imagined. Starting a business anywhere in the world has its challenges, but because I had experience living and working in Armenia, I had some insight on how things function here. It was less surprising for me to see a more Middle Eastern/post-Soviet approach to business.” “A lot of diasporans, when they start a business in Armenia, think they’re still in the West,” he goes on to explain, “They’re shocked by something as simple as having to wait a few days to get a document signed by the proper authorities. With time, you learn to deal with all of this. You don’t have to accept the ways things work, but you learn to deal with it. In order to get a job done, you know there are certain things you need to do. You need to know how to say things, how to put things… there are certain subtleties and innuendos that make all the difference.” Another challenge that Raffi faces as a repatriate doing business in Armenia is networking. “I have a strong networking base,” he explains, “But not as strong as the Hayastantsi who has his classmates, neighborhood, community… Especially in this type of people-oriented business, that’s important.” But operating in the Armenian business world as a diaspora-Armenian has its perks, too. “Because I’m from the West,” says Raffi, “There’s a different kind of business relationship, an extra alertness. People don’t know how a diasporan will react to their methods, so they’re cautious.” So naturally, being an “outsider” works both for and against the savvy Diasporan businessperson trying to establish a successful enterprise in Armenia. As for Raffi, the venturesome entrepreneur embraces the bumps along the road, seeing them as learning experiences and opportunities for growth. “Every day presents new challenges,” he says, “Every challenge presents new opportunities.” f connect: www.deemcommunications.com would watch us work, eat, sleep,” says Lara, “There were plenty of volunteers around and they all loved to play and have fun with her.” Of course, when it came to bringing their infant along to Shushi, a neglected war zone that received next to no foreign aid, the new parents had their concerns. “The food and water issues were what worried me,” says Lara, “Luckily, I was still breastfeeding at the time, but water was scarce. I would boil pots of water at night, and put it aside in bottles.” But in the end, it was worth it. One of the main reasons they brought baby Amassia along was to baptize her at Saghmosavank, a church that they had helped renovate the previous year. In 2002, Raffi was offered a position as director of LCO and in 2003, when their second daughter, Varanta, was just 8 months old, the couple made the bold move to Armenia. “Lara had long, African braids. I had crazy, long hair and a beard. In the winter, the kids were decked out in funky Canadian gear…. We were sort of the colorful family in Yerevan,” laughs Raffi, “People stare anyway, but we asked for it.” While Raffi was settling into his new position at LCO, Lara was busy with exciting plans of her own. “When I was volunteering, my major problem was the situation of women and how they’re treated here,” she says, “I decided: If I’m going to move here, I have The Women’s Resource Center, the brainchild of Lara Aharonian, is the premier facility of its kind in Armenia. “I decided that if I’m going to move here, I have to change something,” says Lara, “So first of all, it was for me.” With a master’s degree in French comparative literature focusing on French and Armenian feminist literature, Lara was very involved in women’s issues when she lived in Montreal and volunteered much of her time at a women’s resource center affiliated with Concordia University. So when the idea of the WRC was in its early stages, she decided it would be most logical to be affiliated with a university. She got in touch with Shushan, a friend she had met years ago while volunteering in Karintak (near Shushi) and together, while Lara was still in Montreal, they began to brainstorm. “People suggested to go through the American University of Armenia, or the French University,” she says, “But the whole point was I wanted to be accessible to has many local women as possible.” So from Montreal, she wrote several letters to different departments of YSU (Yerevan State University) to find someone who was willing to cooperate. She finally connected with Gohar Shahnazaryan, a professor in the sociology department who was the first woman in Armenia to do a Ph.D. on gender issues, and together, in 2003, they founded the WRC. “It started very small, very grassroots,” says Lara, “We fought to get a small room from the university. We’d have occasional round tables, human rights training, and students would come from all different departments.” Eventually, the number of volunteers grew and the center became more active. They began to talk about issues like sexual health Raffi Niziblian, Lara Aharonian, with Amassia, Varanta, and Vayk. to change something.” Her initial frustration and lots of persistent hard work led to the establishment of Armenia’s Women’s Resource Center, which is going strong as the country’s leading advocate of women’s rights, creating an open dialogue about gender relations, sexual health, and human rights. Women’s Resource Center Lara Aharonian at the Women’s Resource Center. After a few years of living in Armenia, Raffi was recruited by VivaCell, the top telecommunications company in Armenia, to establish their commercial department. The position opened up a lot of doors and helped him better understand the business environment in Ar- Continued on page 17 m and reproductive rights. Lara began a workshop called “My Body, My Right”, a ten-session discussion series that is still extremely popular. The university, traditionally conservative in its values, was not thrilled with the excitement and buzz stirred up by the Women’s Resource Center, and one day, while at a conference in Istanbul, Lara was informed that they were kicked out of their cubby hole of a room because “they stayed open past university hours.” “When I got the call that they had closed down the Women’s Centre, I was ready for it,” says Lara, “I felt like it was time to move on. Working within the university’s time constraints and conservative framework was restrictive.” They moved everything into their homes, quickly found a small apartment, and in 2007, moved into their current location, a comfortable space on Zarubyan Street in Yerevan’s center. Today, the Women’s Resource Center is one of Armenia’s most reputable NGOs, with widereaching projects in all regions of Armenia and Karabagh. Last February, they opened a branch in Shushi whose focus is mainly on women and peace building, and on creating economic sustainability for women. They have a gynecological room with free consulting, a service they hope to make available once a week. The Center in Yerevan now has five paid staff and 21 active members (who actually participate in creating forums, classes and activities), as well as hundreds of other members who drop by from time to time to participate in workshops and use the resources. Their activities include: women’s rights trainings, round-tables on gender issues, career seminars, “My Sexuality” closed group discussions, prenatal courses conducted with the help of a midwife – Martha Boudakian, “Mother and Child” mornings, film and book clubs, and a new Sexual Assault Drop-In Center and Hotline. They publish booklets and pamphlets on issues ranging from breast cancer to human trafficking. Members also travel regularly to different regions of Armenia, conducting courses with youth on topics such as reproductive rights and gender relations. The impressive list of the organization’s endeavors goes on. And all members are encouraged to bring whatever they can offer to the table. “It’s in the name,” says Lara, “It’s a resource center. You bring your resources, and you receive resources from others.” f
The Armenian Reporter | October 25, 2008 17 Armenia “With the people, for the people” Opening ceremonies of the Armenian Relief Society’s 69th General Assembly takes place in Yerevan by Sosseh Tachdjian YEREVAN – Over 200 women from all over the world converged in Armenia to take part in the Armenian Relief Society’s (ARS) 69th General Assembly. They had come from Greece, Lebanon, Australia, France, Syria, Canada, the United States – 26 countries in all – bringing with them an almost 100-year history of dedication and commitment to their people. Their motto is a reflection of their purpose, “With the people, for the people.” The women of the ARS are truly inspirational and the proof is in the pudding. Established almost a hundred years ago in New York City in 1910, the ARS is the oldest Armenian women’s organization, providing educational and humanitarian assistance to Armenians throughout the globe. The ARS has affiliates in 26 countries who realize programs such as building, operating and subsidizing Armenian language schools, community centers and nursery schools; sponsoring orphans and orphan meal programs in Armenia and Artsakh; granting scholarships to deserving and outstanding students; building a longneeded community infrastructure in Javakhk, Georgia and providing Left: Hasmig Derderian with Armen Topouzian. Right: Hagop Der Khachadurian of the ARF Bureau. critical maternal care and general health services through the Mother and Child Medical Clinic and Birthing Center in Akhourian, Armenia. Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian, various ministers, including the Minister of Education Spartak Seyranian, Minister of Social Affairs Arsen Stepanian, and Minister of the Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, representatives from USAID, AGBU, Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association, the Lebanese Ambassador to Armenia, Armenia’s former first lady Bella Kocharian, high-ranking officials of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau and Supreme Council of the party were on hand to participate in the official opening of the General Assembly of the ARS in Yerevan on October 18. The evening’s host was Alvard Petrosian, member of the ARS’s board in Armenia and a member of parliament elected on the ARF ticket. Ms. Petrosian read the message from Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, afterward noting that Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, had not sent a message, nor had he sent a representative of the Church to partake in the ceremonies. Armenia’s prime minister and minister of the diaspora welcomed the participants and wished them success in all their future endeavors. Hasmig Derderian, president of the world body of the ARS, the Central Executive Board, presented a comprehensive report on the activities of the organization over the past several years and also spoke about their preparations for the ARS’s centennial celebration for 2010. Ms. Derderian said that along with the special activities being organized globally to commemorate 100 years of work, they A bold leap into the unknown, kids and all have also established a Centennial Fund which, to date, has already raised over $1,000,000. This past year, the ARS opened its archives and during the opening ceremonies presented the first collection of their archives to the Armenian National Archives’ Executive Director Amatuni Virapian. During her presentation, Ms. Derderian also presented Armenian-American benefactor Armen Topouzian with a special plaque from the ARS thanking him for his diligent and selfless contribution to the many nursery schools that the ARS operates in Karabakh. The ARS is a participating nongovernmental organization (NGO) at the United Nations. Since 1977 the ARS has been a member of the United National NGO Department of Public Information and in 1998 was accepted for roster status by the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The ARS is also an active member of UNICEF and its Working Group on Girls; the NGO Committee on the Status of Women (CSW); the planning committee of the NGO DPI Conference; the CONGO NGO committees on Mental Health, HIV/AIDS and Children’s right. One of the most moving moments of the evening was a speech by Galya Arustamyan, chairperson of the Mothers of Karabakh Freedom Fighters Union who had come to Yerevan from Stepanakert to take part in the meeting. Ms. Arustamyan lost a son during the armed conflict with Azerbaijan in the early 1990s. But she had come to Yerevan with an important message about the activities of the Armenian Relief Society. She said that the work carried out by the ARS over the last two decades has had a lasting impact on the people and especially the children of Karabakh. She thanked the ARS for its monumental efforts to help the people of Karabakh and wished the organization continued success. Closing the evening’s ceremonies was a speech by Hagop Der Khachadurian, member of the ARF Bureau, who said that while the ARS is one of the most experienced and well-organized global Armenian organizations, and while their mandate is providing educational and humanitarian assistance, the organization should work more closely with women’s and children’s rights issues in the future. The General Assembly of the ARF wrapped up on October 24 in Yerevan. Undoubtedly the women of this organization will return to their respective countries armed with more energy and vigor to continue serving their fellow Armenian. f n Continued from page 16 menia, but soon, he decided it was time to move on. “With time, I realized that I needed to have my own thing,” he says, “At 36, I decided to start my own company.” And so in 2006, Raffi Niziblian and Arsineh Khachikian fulfilled their mutual vision with Deem Communications, a full-service marketing and communications agency. With their professional endeavors going strong and three school age children, Raffi and Lara have their hands full. Leaving a comfortable life in Canada behind and moving to Armenia is one thing. Doing it with a young family is another. People often ask them why and how they did it, but Raffi and Lara cannot be more pleased with their decision. “It started out as something very emotional,” says Raffi, of their decision to move to Armenia, “But we approached it from a rational perspective. We weighed the pros and cons of raising our children in Armenia versus Montreal, and Armenia won. There are more cultural opportunities here. Safety and security are another big issue. Here, they play with all the other kids in the yard behind our building, and we don’t have to worry.” At first, the couple had their doubts about whether they were taking something away from their children by raising them in Armenia, but those doubts soon diminished. Lara was sure that they had made the right decision on their last trip back to Canada. Their children were singing, dancing, playing piano, and happily entertaining themselves while the other kids around them were preoccupied with the latest video game or Barbie doll. “They have a more cultural upbringing here,” she says, “And they’re happy with small things. Now I’m sure that this is the place. They’re receiving a strong base here. In Canada, most of my energy would go towards raising them Armenian. Here, I can focus more on raising them as people, as good human beings. The Armenian part is natural. “Healthcare is a major challenge in Armenia,” she admits, “But you have to know your resources…. I was confident. I had read a lot. I always keep myself informed, and resources are available here.” Lara decided to have her third child, Vayk, in Armenia. “It was an amazing experience,” she says. “I have a good doctor that I trust, who I can call whenever I want if one of my kids is sick: something that is not available in Canada.” So everywhere has its advantages and its drawbacks. Technologically, the Armenian healthcare system may not be the best equipped, but there is a personal touch here that you cannot find anywhere else. And as for education Again, it’s not as big a challenge as one might think. The children are enrolled at Aregnaz, an alternative Waldorf school, where they learn Armenian, English, Russian, and German. Plus, Lara teaches them French at home. In North America, it’s hard enough to raise bilingual children. The Niziblian children are simultaneously learning five languages, and still find plenty of time to play with the neighborhood kids in the yard. On to the tricky question. I ask Raffi and Lara how their families feel about their move to Armenia and surprisingly, it’s not that big an issue. “They’re happy we’re happy,” says Raffi, “Just not happy that they don’t get to see their grandchildren, nieces and nephew regularly.” Lara continues, “They don’t like the idea, but just a couple of years ago, they started understanding why we’re here. They figured, we moved to Canada to escape the war, for a better life, so why are you going backwards But since they started coming every summer, they see that it’s a good decision. I have three kids and a very active life – something that would have been next to impossible in Canada.” Looking to the future, Raffi and Lara understand that many factors can come into play like health, world events, and family needs back home, but their repatriation is not a passing phase. “Nothing is permanent,” says Raffi, “But we’re here indefinitely.” f
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