Community - Armenian Reporter

The Armenian Reporter | March 15, 2008CommunityYouth visionB3m Story starts on page B1initiatives such as Manana, basedon an abiding belief that Armenia’syoung generation is its greatestnatural resource.One of the highlights of thefundraiser was the screening oftwo films made by Manana students.“We focus on gifted and talentedkids, trying to provide nourishmentand resources for kids whoare just a step away from greatness,”said Antranig Kasbarian,director of the Tufenkian Foundation.“Manana is not just aboutgood filmmaking; these kids aretaught and encouraged to go outinto Yerevan and film the pressingsocial issues that concern ourpeople. It’s about capturing thereal problems, the real issues, andreal joys of living in Armenia today.”Kasbarian also mentioned someof the pioneering aid and developmentprograms undertaken bythe Tufenkian Foundation. Theseinclude the Zankagadun project,which was started in the earthquakezone to provide vulnerablefamilies and youths with job placement,vocational training, and psychologicalcounseling.Another initiative is the Giftedand Talented Scholarship Programin Nagorno-Karabakh.“Karabakh has suffered a tremendousbrain drain and our focus isto provide enough support, soour young talent can see a futurefor themselves living in Karabakhrather than leaving the country,”Kasbarian said.The Tufenkian Foundation alsosponsors programs that promotecivic awareness among children.One such project, in Vanadzor,gives groups of youths the opportunityto meet with the mayor oftheir city and discuss a host of civicand national issues. “This programserves the purpose of showing Armenianyouths that they are thechange that they wish to be,” Kasbariansaid.Kristi Randall has been associatedwith the Tufenkian Foundationfor ten years. A native of North Dakota,Randall first went to Armeniato work with Habitat for Humanity.She lived in Armenia for five yearsand learned to speak Armenian. Shewas introduced to Manana in 1998and was astonished by its students’high level of creativity.“When I entered the organizationI entered another world,” Randallrecalled. “The kids there are so inspiring.They feel empowered andthey are eager to learn.”At the time that Randall firstlearned about Manana, it faceda rent increase it couldn’t afford.Randall approached James Tufenkianto ask if Manana could begiven a space in one of his buildings.After that initial meeting, theTufenkian Foundation became oneof Manana’s primary supporters.Diaspora filmmakerspitch inLast summer, a number of Armenian-Americanfilmmakers, includingScreamers director CarlaLeft: TufenkianFoundationsupporter JohnQuinn with hostMark Geragosand JoanAgajanian Quinn.Below: TufenkianFoundationDirector AntranigKasbarian speaksto supporters.Garabedian, taught workshops atManana.At the fundraiser, Garabedianrecalled her impressions and spokeabout how she taught and discusseddocumentary techniqueswith the children. She said she becamefully aware of Armenia’s filmmakingpotential after seeing someof the students’ works, which dealtwith subjects ranging from war tosocial issues and the environment.“Here are these little kids thatare really doing things in a professionalway,” she said. “I felt humbledbecause there, in those films,is the future of Armenia. And I saythat in the most sincere possibleway, because they are not cynicalabout their country; they arethinking and really aware of theirsurroundings.”Gor Kirakosian, who made thesmash hit Big Story in a Small City,also taught a workshop. “It wasvery inspiring to me to see youngkids make such great films,” hesaid. “When I was their age, I wasnot making films like that. I toldthem, when they become famous,they should hire me to work forthem.”Much of the filmmaking equipmentthat Manana students need,including computers, editing software,cameras, and tripods, is donated.Jennifer Garakian, managerof operations and administrationat Sony Pictures, was askedto lend her support. She jumpedat the opportunity to help thechildren and immediately shippedboxes full of television sets, DVDplayers, cables, and software toManana.“Two of the most importantthings to me are to help Armeniaand help children in any capacity,”Garakian said. “I just reallywanted to build a bridge of donationto help such an importantcause.”For the first in its history, Mananawill open its doors to Diasporanyouths this summer, offeringthem filmmaking andphotojournalism classes. Thesummer program will give youngArmenian children from all overthe world and Armenia a chanceto make creative, social, and intellectualconnections with oneanother. Together they will havethe opportunity to explore thecultural landscape of their homelandthrough the lens of the camera.fconnect:www.mananayouth.orgwww.tufenkianfoundation.comOMNILEVEROUTSOURCING TO ARMENIA* IT, Business Process, Day-to-Day Management* Database and Web Programming* Medical, Clinical Data Management* Financial, Legal Document Processing* Customer Contact, Data CenterContacts: (201) 654-4267, info@omnilever.comEstablished US ClienteleISO 9001:2000 – QUALITY STANDARDBefore you get in your car to nd a piece of property.CALL ME. I FOUND IT YESTERDAY.GREG TUFENKIANY O U R C O M M E R C I A L P R O P E R T I E S S P E C I A L I S T(818) 334-1913G R E G T @ C B C N C O . C O M801 North Brand Boulevard, Suite 180, Glendale, CA 91203 | www.cbcnco.com