BY PAULETTE MARKARIAN
I have been a UNICEF volunteer since 2014. I was a part of our campus initiative at Glendale Community College and continued volunteering for UNICEF while living in New York.
We take a lot for granted, especially water. It’s so easily accessible for us but we forget that not a lot of people and/or countries have the same privileges. UNICEF has always been one of my favorite non-profit organizations because they are not only international but they truly want to help change the world.
This particular event was last year for UNICEF + Artolution for the Women & Water event held in New York City.
A huge sheet of blank paper was set up for anyone to contribute their art. It was incredible to see how many people were there and how much we all enjoyed ourselves. I have been an artist my whole life and it was a great feeling being able to participate in two things I love and care about. Knowing a piece of my art would help or bring a smile to someone’s face means the world to me.
I painted different things around the poster but the one painting that I wanted to really resonate with people was the word “Love” in Armenian with the tri-colors of the flag.
As an Armenian, I wanted to put a part of my identity in my art. Love is universal. Everyone feels it; everyone longs for it.
This world could use more love and that was my main purpose for choosing it. Translating it to Armenian was also important, it was to show that regardless of race or a different language, the feeling is mutual and spreading love and kindness is the most important thing we can do.
