My Impact
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-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=55a974f8c05b897f2676c28d7d350f21 "Shant’s Shekherdimian: A Doctor for the Healthcare System")
Impact Makers30.04.20252 minBorn and raised in California, Dr. Shant Shekherdimian’s connection to Armenia began in 1997 during his first visit to Armenia. What started as curiosity evolved into commitment, and eventually, into a life deeply intertwined with Armenia’s future. Today Shant is a pediatric surgeon with a background in public health but in 2005, he and his friends chose to spend a summer teaching English in the village of Martuni. It was “a life-changing experience to be immersed in the village life.” Dr. Shekherdimian has found a way to consistently return to Armenia and has since repatriated, though still maintains his practice in California. As a professional, he has been embedded in the Ministry of Health as an advisor, working alongside government officials with a seat at the policy-making table since 2019. And yet still sees his role not as a savior, but as a student—learning, listening, and gradually contributing to a more sustainable healthcare infrastructure. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=610534be0637013f672f6965536f1685 "Hospitality in the Midst of Chaos")
Impact Makers10.03.20252 min readIt's inspiring to see people who graduate from the University of Life and do as well as Vatché Yergatian has done, it’s even more inspiring to see them want to lend their talents and wisdom to Armenia. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=e0e6c3a86f17d4b78eecbf3fde5429ca "The Repatriate Behind Armenia's First and Only Triathlon Club")
Impact Makers31.01.20257 min readJust a few months ago, Triclub Yerevan celebrated its 10th anniversary. This club, which trains triathletes and promotes an active lifestyle, was founded by Vaagn Toukharian, who got into sports – specifically triathlon – during his years in the US. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=9046a64f1a01ec01acbee6bfd0f93d6c "The Revival of Sailing in Armenia: The Story of Artashes Dadyan")
Impact Makers26.08.20248 min readImagine Armenia as a hub of sailing – a concept that once seemed purely fictional. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=c23884eed31d7d18f4ebf6c67af9373a "Hayk and David’s Journey to Make a Difference")
Personal Stories20.08.20245 min readHayk Ayrapetyan and David Mikaelyan lived in Moscow for thirty years and had plenty of opportunities to meet; however, it was in Armenia that they finally crossed paths. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=1e9a4aa7745ac2796537230a9acd9988 "Hayk Oltaci’s Journey to Revive Armenia’s Carpet Weaving")
Personal Stories14.08.20246 min readAt this summer’s Golden Apricot International Film Festival in Yerevan, the traditional red carpet was replaced with unique designs created by Armenian artist Davit Kochunts. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=036dbae7a90105b76394f0c6ffc7ffa5 "Sowing good seeds: the story of Zaruhi Karapetyan and café “Nazuk”")
Personal Stories24.06.20246 min readIn recent years, Gyumri has taken the direction of progress: the architectural appearance of the city, both national and gastronomic, has changed, and innovations have appeared in the city’s infrastructure. Repatriates, often the ones with Gyumri roots, made a big contribution to all this. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=a99a18136a9986283a6a7c79293824cf "The Activities of the VIVA Charity Foundation: Volunteering as a Starting Point for Repatriation")
Impact Makers16.04.20248 min readIt seems that the time has come when the financial and material support of Diaspora compatriots alone is not enough to solve the problems Armenia is facing today, the solution of which may mean a leap forward, while the failure to solve them may mean a decline into a vast abyss. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=502c6094113f5a4eedbd6325c69a631f "Uniting for Artsakh: Repat Armenia's Panel Sheds Light on Humanitarian Efforts")
News12.12.20233 min readOn November 30, 2023, Repat Armenia hosted the latest installment of its ‘Meet & Greet’ series, aimed to introduce the Diaspora and repatriate-led NGOs actively supporting the displaced compatriots from Artsakh. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=37cc36f8b0282194f0cebf7c07232e45 "How You Can Be Helpful Today for Artsakh and Armenia")
Tips22.09.20235 min readIn this review, we will share with you the most active NGOs that are currently mobilizing resources to support our compatriots from Artsakh. It is nice to see that the majority of them were initiated by representatives of our Diaspora, repatriates and expats. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=4055808cc12f999b5f5be4acad40b2f1 "oqni: Empowering Amputees and Redefining Possibilities")
Engage Armenia21.08.20233 min readIn a world filled with challenges, some individuals and organizations rise above adversity to make a lasting impact. One such organization is oqni, a dynamic Armenian-based NGO that has emerged as a beacon of hope for the amputee community. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=98762b9b8e8a4d3fc3f9872cc38fecf2 "Hrayr Barsoumian: Building a Future in Armenia")
Personal Stories30.07.20235 min readIn the vibrant landscape of repatriates who have found their way back to Armenia, Hrayr Barsoumian’s journey stands out as a testament to perseverance and dedication. Born into an Armenian family in Lebanon, Hrayr followed his heart and decided to relocate to Armenia five years ago. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=45d03cfa053ac43181e821cc0d545b06 "Adults need a fairy tale more than children")
Personal Stories08.04.20237 min readI can't say that I 100% understand what will happen in Armenia tomorrow. It may sound overly emotional, but for me to leave now is tantamount to betrayal. So here we are. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=fde655cb007114389fb997816d2c9e95 "Hayk Vardanyan: get involved in projects in Armenia")
Impact Makers20.03.20236 min readHayk Vardanyan is the founder of Network Nations podcast where he interviews people who contribute to Armenia. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=262789b3104bcceabe6421ec35883629 "Rima Ayvazyan: Wine Tourism in Armenia")
Impact Makers30.11.20224 min readThis time we spoke with Rima Ayvazyan, a repatriate from Russia, who returned to Armenia and became a wine guide.
