YEREVAN–There is a new face in town in Gumri, Carine Liberian, an Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC) volunteer, sponsored by Birthright Armenia, from Montreal, Canada. In the short amount of time she has been here she has created a buzz about its growing Information Technology (IT) sector. An experienced advertising executive in Montreal, she is now using her skills to create awareness about the importance of the future of the IT industry in Armenia by volunteering at the Gyumri Information Technology Center (GITC).
Liberian organized the best Halloween costume party in Yerevan to benefit GITC. On Saturday October 27th The Bambir rock band, from Gyumri, performed at the “Cyclone” Disco Bar. With over 120 people attending, the event raised in excess of $1,000 US dollars, with in kind and monetary contributions, for the Gyumri IT Center. Liberian adds, “With different DJs spinning and the great performance by The Bambir, there was something to please everyone. The event went on without a glitch and everyone had a great time, but best of all; we raised much needed funds for the GITC.”
Information Technology is the direction many youth in Armenia are turning to. Solid IT training programs are imperative for youth in Armenia to be competitive in the global IT market. An exemplary institution is the GITC which has spearheaded this movement in Gyumri by opening a two year program that prepares its graduates with practical experience. Four IT companies have already opened branches in Gyumri and hired all of the first graduates in July of 2007. But with all new initiatives come great start-up costs that GITC is struggling with during its first years. In order to keep the GITC running and admitting more students, continuous funding is a crucial necessity.
“It’s really great to be volunteering in Gyumri; I get to experience a different Armenia than most. Volunteering here is very enriching ‘s I love every moment of it!” adds Liberian.
AVC aims to help Armenia’s in the Diaspora and Armenia reap the benefits of working together for the common goal of building a strong country and nation. Since 2001, AVC has assisted scores of volunteers in finding fulfilling placemen’s in schools, non-profit organizations, churches, and businesses. AVC volunteers gain new insight into their own identity, growing and developing personally and professionally, while sharing in the exciting process of nation-building.
AVC strongly believes that the exchange of ideas, values, and experiences between Diasporan and homeland Armenia’s provides for their mutual growth and understanding, and that the connection of human, informal, and capital resource of Armenia’s worldwide is the best way to help rebuild and strengthen our homeland.
