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AN IRAQI ARMENIAN TEEN SHOWS THE WAY TO A NEW LIFE
By Anahit Hayrapetyan
Reuters
Oct 30 2008
UK
YEREVAN, Armenia, October 30 (UNHCR) - Mariam Sargis has spent most
of her life in Iraq, but the teenager is now getting an unexpected
chance to discover the land and language of her ancestors. And
the 14-year-old is thriving; setting an example to her family, her
community and other refugees with her enthusiasm.
Mariam left Baghdad in 2004 with her father, Sargis, mother, Najva,
and younger brother Minas. They were among hundreds of members of
the Armenian Apostolic Church, one of the world's oldest Christian
communities, to flee Iraq to escape mounting sectarian violence in
recent years. The majority, including Mariam's parents, were born in
the Middle East nation.
About 1,000 Iraqi Armenians have been granted refugee or temporary
asylum status in Armenia over the past four years. They live in
rented houses in the capital, Yerevan, or in the provinces of Kotayk
and Ararat.
Most possess limited financial resources and are in urgent need of
material assistance. They also find it hard to communicate in an
unfamiliar language and a major struggle to make ends meet in an
alien land.
"Despite the fact that most Iraqis are of Armenian descent, they only
understand Western Armenian [the modern dialect spoken by much of the
Armenian diaspora], and, as a result, they face difficulties finding
proper employment," noted Bushra Halepota, UNHCR's representative
in Armenia.
The UN refugee agency, working through its local implementing partner,
Mission Armenia, has been helping the most vulnerable families and
promoting local integration of the refugees. But despite this helping
hand, some - especially the older generation - are finding it hard
to adjust.
Mariam, with her positive outlook and determination to integrate
and succeed, is setting an example to her peers and proving that,
with a bit of will and effort, they can manage and also look to the
future with confidence. Inspired by both small and big achievements,
she is taking firm steps forward.
The outgoing teenager has enthusiastically embraced vocational training
and Armenian-language classes funded by UNHCR. And whenever she finds
things hard-going she just remembers how bad things were in Iraq.
"When my mother starts complaining, I say, 'But we are safe here,
Mum, cheer up,'" Mariam said. "Here in Armenia, I sleep peacefully
and have good dreams again. I'm finally free of painful memories."
She wasn't so upbeat when she first arrived here two years ago to what
must have seemed like a bleak future. Everything from the weather to
the language and the people seemed so different, and even menacing -
she remembers feeling scared a lot of the time.
But before long the family came under the wing of UNHCR and Mission
Armenia, which in mid-2007 launched the assistance and integration
programme for the vulnerable Iraqi refugee families in Armenia. Mariam
was found a place in school and she seized the opportunity to make
new friends, expand her knowledge, and learn the Armenian language
and culture.
"I would never have thought the Armenian language could be so different
from mine; so rich and beautiful," she said. "My Armenian language
learning experience was unforgettable. I seem to have gone through
my childhood again, had another first teacher, another community,
another life."
She is now studying to be a hair stylist, which will allow her to
earn a living once she has finished the course. "The classes are
so beneficial and enjoyable. I am inspired by this opportunity,"
said Mariam, adding that her chosen profession would also serve as
an excellent opportunity to meet new people.
Her skills should help her family stay above water during the current
hard times; her father used to own a food business in Iraq, but has
only managed to find odd jobs in Armenia and is having difficulty
paying the rent after using up most of the money he made from selling
the family house in Baghdad.
Mariam is so selfless, she gives the credit to others for her happiness
in Armenia. "I am thankful to all of the people around me who were
so tolerant and caring; my neighbours, my teachers, and my friends,"
she said. "Thanks to the big support of UNHCR, I now believe in my
strength and feel secure."
But she is the one who should be thanked, for making the most of her
new life and setting an example to so many others.
By Anahit Hayrapetyan
Reuters
Oct 30 2008
UK
YEREVAN, Armenia, October 30 (UNHCR) - Mariam Sargis has spent most
of her life in Iraq, but the teenager is now getting an unexpected
chance to discover the land and language of her ancestors. And
the 14-year-old is thriving; setting an example to her family, her
community and other refugees with her enthusiasm.
Mariam left Baghdad in 2004 with her father, Sargis, mother, Najva,
and younger brother Minas. They were among hundreds of members of
the Armenian Apostolic Church, one of the world's oldest Christian
communities, to flee Iraq to escape mounting sectarian violence in
recent years. The majority, including Mariam's parents, were born in
the Middle East nation.
About 1,000 Iraqi Armenians have been granted refugee or temporary
asylum status in Armenia over the past four years. They live in
rented houses in the capital, Yerevan, or in the provinces of Kotayk
and Ararat.
Most possess limited financial resources and are in urgent need of
material assistance. They also find it hard to communicate in an
unfamiliar language and a major struggle to make ends meet in an
alien land.
"Despite the fact that most Iraqis are of Armenian descent, they only
understand Western Armenian [the modern dialect spoken by much of the
Armenian diaspora], and, as a result, they face difficulties finding
proper employment," noted Bushra Halepota, UNHCR's representative
in Armenia.
The UN refugee agency, working through its local implementing partner,
Mission Armenia, has been helping the most vulnerable families and
promoting local integration of the refugees. But despite this helping
hand, some - especially the older generation - are finding it hard
to adjust.
Mariam, with her positive outlook and determination to integrate
and succeed, is setting an example to her peers and proving that,
with a bit of will and effort, they can manage and also look to the
future with confidence. Inspired by both small and big achievements,
she is taking firm steps forward.
The outgoing teenager has enthusiastically embraced vocational training
and Armenian-language classes funded by UNHCR. And whenever she finds
things hard-going she just remembers how bad things were in Iraq.
"When my mother starts complaining, I say, 'But we are safe here,
Mum, cheer up,'" Mariam said. "Here in Armenia, I sleep peacefully
and have good dreams again. I'm finally free of painful memories."
She wasn't so upbeat when she first arrived here two years ago to what
must have seemed like a bleak future. Everything from the weather to
the language and the people seemed so different, and even menacing -
she remembers feeling scared a lot of the time.
But before long the family came under the wing of UNHCR and Mission
Armenia, which in mid-2007 launched the assistance and integration
programme for the vulnerable Iraqi refugee families in Armenia. Mariam
was found a place in school and she seized the opportunity to make
new friends, expand her knowledge, and learn the Armenian language
and culture.
"I would never have thought the Armenian language could be so different
from mine; so rich and beautiful," she said. "My Armenian language
learning experience was unforgettable. I seem to have gone through
my childhood again, had another first teacher, another community,
another life."
She is now studying to be a hair stylist, which will allow her to
earn a living once she has finished the course. "The classes are
so beneficial and enjoyable. I am inspired by this opportunity,"
said Mariam, adding that her chosen profession would also serve as
an excellent opportunity to meet new people.
Her skills should help her family stay above water during the current
hard times; her father used to own a food business in Iraq, but has
only managed to find odd jobs in Armenia and is having difficulty
paying the rent after using up most of the money he made from selling
the family house in Baghdad.
Mariam is so selfless, she gives the credit to others for her happiness
in Armenia. "I am thankful to all of the people around me who were
so tolerant and caring; my neighbours, my teachers, and my friends,"
she said. "Thanks to the big support of UNHCR, I now believe in my
strength and feel secure."
But she is the one who should be thanked, for making the most of her
new life and setting an example to so many others.