A Mother and Her Children Find Peace Through Heifer

The three countries of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan equal the size of North Dakota, yet they're home to more than 40 different ethnic groups.

The region is where Greek mythology placed Prometheus after an angry Zeus chained him to the rock; and where three major conflicts in the last ten years have led to thousands of deaths, the displacement of more than 1.5 million people from their homes, a vast number of orphans and huge food shortages.

And now, it's where Heifer International, along with several NGOs, has formed Youth Peace Camps with the orphans and other young people.

The camps are organized like 4-H-style clubs. Each club received Heifer bees, cows, sheep or other livestock, and members are getting hands-on training in agriculture, ecology and marketing programs.

One Armenia social orphan who now cares for Heifer bees through a Youth Camp is young mother Susanna Mashkovich.

"It may not be physically difficult to raise bees," Susanna says, "but you must be clever. We work all summer, spring and fall and we see our results in the winter. We don't feel so alone with the presence of Heifer International. This village is so small, there is a lack of communication, but Heifer comes and cares for us. We know we're not alone. We are isolated from city life but Heifer brings us closer through our bees and the sale of our honey. We are very grateful."

Susanna lives with her husband, Karen Galstyanwork, and their children, son Yura and daughter Satenik, in a house donated to them by the project. They work with other orphans alongside Bishop Abraham in their tiny village of Hermon.

"When our children leave the orphanages their lives become even more difficult," says the bishop. "They do not know how to work or even how to live. They have never lived in a family environment.  It is not enough, a house or an animal, but to be taught skills. That is why Heifer International works so well with what we are trying to accomplish. Our work is not just to provide food but mental support at the same time. I am active with the orphans and every month I see Heifer here as well. I do not know another organization that works and supports their recipients as well as them."

The Youth Camps not only teach agricultural techniques, but emphasize peace between the countries as well.

"This youth camp has taught us that no one in the world should use war," says 15-year-old Eduard Khachatryan, president of the Getap Youth Club in Armenia. "Instead, we should create peace and solve conflicts in peaceful ways. We should never even use the word 'war.'"

What Others Are Saying About Heifer Youth Camps:

We have completely solved our nutritional problems. We can produce yogurt, cheese, butter and sell the surplus. From zero experience to one year of training, today we have become completely sustainable through this project. — Dmitri Zuev, a social orphan living in Aygeshat in Armenia

I cannot imagine our lives without Heifer International. [But] tomorrow we can live without Heifer. We will proceed as they have taught us, and continue after they have gone. In the future, we will be sustainable. — Vasily Plechanov, who also lives in Aygeshat:

In October 2002, Heifer International entered our lives. At the beginning, I was scared about succeeding. I had no skills or experience with cows, but Heifer showed their trust in me and demonstrated the skills I needed, along with hope. — Shura Gevorgyan of Mrgastan, Armenia:

This cow has tremendous significance for us. We had NO production and had to buy everything. Now we have milk, cheese, yogurt - everything. Through the products of this cow, my son is now attending the University in Yerevan. Without this cow, we never would have been able. Somehow, Heifer believed in our ability to start from zero. — Nelly Khackatryan, Ptghavan, Armenia:

We have released our fears for the future through this project. I cannot stop thinking about the fact that I am raising a calf that will become a heifer and help a family in need the way we were in need before. [But] I am not waiting until the Passing of the Gift, but using our surplus now and sharing our portions of food with other families. It may be just a cup, but it is assistance. — Nugheli Janashvili in Akhalosopele, Republic of Georgia:

Let Heifer be the glue to bring together all nations. Heifer is stretching their hands to those in need where contributions are needed most. — Adilhan Mamedov, an Azeri refugee:

My heart is full of happy words. I could never imagine such a short period with such big results as with this Peace Project. Today I feel such enormous happiness in this multinational environment and Passing of the Gift Ceremony. I feel like I own the mountains. — Nizami Mamedov, Heifer Project Leader in Georgia:

Youth Project Participants in the Sevan Region of Armenia:
Thanks to this project we have the opportunity to get acquainted with others and their cultures. There are no differences between nations, whether they are Christian, Muslim or Jewish. We are all human beings, regardless of our color, ethnicity or beliefs. — Diana, age 15

Thanks to this Heifer project and the youth camp, peace was made and we have become more loving toward one another. — Ararat Hakobyan, age 15