5th
annual ARMENIAN MEMORIAL FAITH BUILD
Armenian
Family Support Services and Habitat for Humanity Toronto
pay tribute to victims of the Armenian
Genocide
by building homes for disadvantaged families
On a sunny morning, April 10, 2010, over 40 people were gathered to take
part in the
5th annual Armenian Memorial Faith Build in Commemoration
of the 95th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
This annual humanitarian mission is organized by the Armenian
Family Support Services (AFSS) of the Holy
Trinity Armenian
Apostolic Church
in Toronto in partnership with Habitat for
Humanity (HFH) Toronto to honour the
victims of the Armenian Genocide while providing a tangible difference in the
life of disadvantaged families living in Toronto.
Maida Icliates, Chairperson of the AFSS, thanked all the supporters,
donors and the build volunteers for participating in this important mission.
Over $2,000 dollars was raised for Habitat Toronto with all the funds going
towards building materials, supplies, etc.
Mrs. Icliates addressed in her speech the history of the Armenian
Genocide, how innocent
children, women and men were evicted from their homes, separated from family
members and suffered terrible deaths. She thanked Canada for its freedom of
expression and democracy and opening its doors to survivors of the Armenian
Genocide. Positive acknowledgments were also made referring to the Senate of
Canada and the House of Commons adopting motions that acknowledge the Armenian
Genocide of 1915.
In
her final words, Mrs. Icliates encouraged the volunteers to continue to be
active in their communities and that today’s build signified our building homes
in honour of those that had to leave theirs.
Rev. Arch Fr. Zareh Zargarian, Pastor of the Holy Trinity
Armenian Apostolic
Church, thanked Habitat
for Humanity Toronto and the build volunteers for their support and dedication.
He expressed sincere gratitude to the Armenian Family Support Services Board of
Directors for their hard work in making this mission a reality for five years.
He concluded with prayers for a successful and safe build.
The day
ended with everyone gathering for group photos and hugs.
Although
everyone was physically tired, a great sense of satisfaction and compassion was
felt when witnessing such a positive and concrete reality while providing faith
and hope to the families and children.
The past
five years: REFLECTIONS from some of our Armenian
Memorial Faith Build Volunteers
Participating
in the 5th Armenian Memorial Faith Build organized by the Armenian
Family Support Services was very meaningful and rewarding for me. Commemorating
the Armenian Genocide by making a difference in the lives of disadvantaged
families is very moving and fulfilling.
During the Habitat Build I helped put up drywall with my group; I experienced
teamwork in a different environment than I was used to, had the opportunity of
learning how to use certain tools, and the most important part of this mission
for me was feeling the satisfaction of helping by physically being a part of
it.
- Garin Ohannesyan, 16
***********************************************
Working
with Habitat for Humanity was a very positive experience for me. It
helped me gain a better understanding of all the hard work involved of building
a house. Personally, I got to learn some of the skills involved in
building walls and enjoyed being part of a construction team. It made me
feel good to help provide substantial housing for people in the community who
are in need. Lastly, it also made me feel proud to be a representative of
Toronto's Armenian Community in providing
service to the Greater Toronto
Community as a whole."
Chloe
Kavoukian-Scharf, age 16
***********************************************
Often in
life we feel that we have less then others. We compare our lives to those of
the "rich and famous” and wish we had as much. We forget how fortunate we
are in what we have or achieved. My day volunteering at the 5th
annual Armenian Memorial Faith Build with Habitat for Humanity reminded me to
be grateful for all that I have. Helping build a small 4 bedroom house
for a family was educational and gratifying both physically and emotionally. It
was educational, because I acquired a new skill, putting up dry wall. It
was emotionally gratifying to do it with the Armenian Family Support Services
in honor of April 24th to give back in a country where so many of
our orphaned predecessors of the genocide received help.
Seta
Kerim
***********************************************
Over the years, I have participated in many
commemorative events that raised awareness and paid tribute to the victims of
the Armenian Genocide of 1915. In their own right, all were well organized and
served that purpose. It was especially rewarding to participate in the Habitat
For Humanity - Armenian Memorial Faith Build as it symbolized a way of giving
back to the community and our wonderful nation. More importantly, these
buildings assert our success, survival and unity. May it mark the remembrance
of the souls that were lost and a community that was destroyed 91 years ago.
During this event I met several fellow Armenians and enjoyed working with other
humanitarian workers and civil volunteers.
I look forward to our next build, may we never stop building.
Joseph Ternamian
***********************************************
The 2006
Faith Build is the first in what will hopefully become an annual
event. It marks the beginning of the healing process for the Toronto Armenian
spirit.
The
greatest tragedy of the Genocide is that it perpetuates continued
suffering. Expecting this pain to dull over time is naïve. All we can do is empower ourselves by
converting our sadness into something beautiful and positive. By giving back to the community of which we
are a part, we are taking that first step towards reclaiming our power as human
beings. And in so doing, we enable
others to do the same.
As resourceful
Armenians, we should be finding opportunities like these each year so that
we may turn our personal suffering and the human tragedies of the past into a
valuable learning experience. This event can serve as a model
for communities around the world.
It was a
pleasure to come together with old and new friends, and to give my time
and energy to two worthy causes. I'm delighted that the houses our
community painted will shelter the memories of those who have worked
hard to achieve personal and financial stability. I know that these
parents can finally rest peacefully at night because they know their children
have a safe roof over their heads. I also know that I can't think of a
better way to honour the loss of my loved ones' than by enriching the
lives of those still living.
Ani
Chakmakian
***********************************************
I just
wanted to say "good job" to you for organizing the Armenian Memorial
Faith Build. It was such a good feeling to work with fellow
Armenian's with a common goal - to help those who are less fortunate
in our community. There was definitely a sense of accomplishment by the
end of the day which flew by so fast, as we were having fun while painting
the interior of the homes. Thanks.
Vahn
Balabanian
***********************************************
I think
as an Armenian it is very important to remember and commemorate The Armenian
Genocide. At the same time, it also very
important to give to others especially at a time of remembrance. The Memorial Faith Build gave Armenians like
me the chance to give back to a community that is less fortunate then my own.
Thanks again,
Armen
Bazarian