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GLOBAL BUILDERS PROGRAM

Volunteerism and mutual help are key concepts in the work of Fuller Center for Housing. The local community and groups of international volunteers, act as active supporters to our homeowners building their houses. The construction sites, where the international volunteers and locals build shoulder to shoulder, with the spirit of friendship and unity, sharing the same enthusiasm and emotions, become a non-formal platform of interaction between the guests and the local community. This program helps strengthen the cultural and spiritual bridge between the local and international communities, demonstrating the love of Christ in action.

Join us in this life-transforming experience: come to Armenia for a 10-14 day-long trip to build and interact with Armenian families, and to see the ancient country of Armenia!

In 2008 there are three different teams that have openings on them. The dates for the trips are:

July 13-26 - Yerevan
August 2 -15 - Yeghegnadzor
October 5 -19 - Vanadzor

If you are interested in the short term mission trip/Global Builders program of FCHA, please fill in the application form and email it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS
THE FIRST GLOBAL BUILDERS IN ARMENIA: MISSION COMPLETE!

Buckets full of concrete pass from hand to hand, full of energy and care. It is the spirit of volunteerism, the desire to help their neighbor that has inspired these wonderful people to travel from New Jersey to Armenia through Fuller Center for Housing.

The team has been working in Khor Virap village for seven days already. They are helping the family of Kirakosyans who live in 2 small rooms in a condominium building. One room serves as a bedroom for all 4 members of the family – parents and twin sons, the other room is used as a kitchen. There are no basic amenities in the building, not even a bathroom and a shower room. In 1987 Kirakosyans started a new house but with the ensuing economic crisis they have not been able to complete for 20 years. Now the Fuller Center Armenia is helping them to finish it.

“I’m grateful that Fuller Center for Housing was established. It enables me to fulfill my dream to visit my ancestors’ homeland, do volunteer work, and travel. I hope to return again next year and continue building homes for people in Armenia”, said Lori Hovsepian who has made her 7^th trip to Armenia.

For Lorraine Voss, 18, this is a first-time experience. “I feel like I have grown in so many ways! I have grown to be a better person and I have grown spiritually”, she said. Fuller Center Armenia enjoyed hosting the team and is looking forward to work with them again next year.

THE SECOND TEAM FROM THE UNITED STATES WORKING HARD IN KHOR VIRAP!

The team led by Leo Manuelian from the United States arrived on Monday, July 14 and is already working in Khor Virap.

They are helping the family of Khachatryans. The Khachatryan family have 6 children - a son and five daughters. They used to share living space with Slavik’s brothers and their families. The large family had only one room in a four-room house. With so many people crowded in the small place, it was only natural for the family to think about building a new house. They moved to an unfinished house of a neighbor who was in Russia, and lived there for several years, hoping in the meantime to finish their own house.

Despite the heat, the team is actively working with spades and buckets to finish the concrete flooring of rooms and the roof insulation. Apart from construction sites, Fuller Center Armenia takes the team members to sight-seeing places in Armenia.

"This trip has fulfilled so many dreams of mine all at once…visiting my homeland, bringing my children to connect with their homeland, and helping villagers build their home. Khor Virap will always have a special place in my heart. I feel, as we are working, Mt. Ararat is watching over us and blessing our work", said Nadya Yesenyan who visited Armenia with her daughter Ani.

Droege/Hean family members who are trip participants have started a blog. To read about their impressions, please visit http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Armenia/West/Yerevan/blog-300033.html.

ARMENIAN REPORTER WRITES A TWO-PAGE ARTICLE ABOUT THE GLOBAL BUILDERS PROGRAM

Based in the New York metropolitan area, the Armenian Reporter carries news from every Armenian community in and out of the United States. On July 18, Maria Titizian participated at the build in Khor Virap and wrote about her experience and impressions. Please check the link below to read the artciles.

http://reporter.am/pages/2008-07-26/fuller-overview.html