New Jersey "Global Builders" team is at work in Armenia

Published: Wednesday July 08, 2009

The Arshakyan children are putting in sweat equity toward their new home alongside volunteers from New Jersey. Haytagh village, Armavir, Armenia.

Related Articles

The Fuller Center builds hope, one house at a time

Three generations participate in Fuller Center build

Yerevan - Gevorg and Arpine Arshakyan, teen siblings from Haytagh village, don't yet know how it feels to live in a home of their own. But building alongside a team from the Fuller Center of Armenia, the brother and sister know how "sweat equity" feels on a summer day in the Armavir region.

The Arshakyans' half-built family home was started 10 years ago. "It is hard to complete the construction of a home and at the same time feed and clothe a growing family," said the father, Ashot. Now Gevorg, 17, and Arpine, 15, are at work with the team members, some of whom are close to them in age. A construction manager from the Fuller Center for Housing supervises and monitors the building process.

Sweating it out with the Arshakyans are this year's first Fuller Center Global Builders team of New Jersey Armenians.

Nelly, a native of Armenia, returned after 20 years in the U.S., bringing her 17-year-old daughter for the first time. After just one day in Armenia, Nelly and Gabriella are already looking forward to volunteering next year.

The team has a great mixture of first-timers and experienced members. All of them visit their homeland to help the families build their homes. But there is more in it than just the construction. It is the moral support for the families, making more friends and bridges.

"My family grows every time I visit Armenia," says team leader Suzanne Daghlian, back for the third time, as is her team member Minas. A young veteran builder, teacher Lori has been coming every year since 2002. Although the Fenerjian sisters are here for the first time, they already feel as if they belong. "The blood is calling," our ancestors would say.

While the Fuller Center for Housing provides long-term, interest and zero-interest loans to families to complete or renovate their homes, local and international volunteers help the beneficiaries avoid having to pay for labor. The volunteers return or continue their service as donors and ambassadors.

This year the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia aims to support 100 families, but the need is far more immense than this aim, organizers say. "Though we cannot help everyone at the same time, we can make a difference by serving one family at a time." Three more Global Builders teams are expected in Armenia this summer and fall.

The Fuller Center for Housing Armenia is working to eliminate poverty housing by providing long term, interest free loans and by assisting with the volunteer work helping low-income families to build simple, sustainable, affordable houses and renovate their houses.

connect:
fullercenterarmenia.org