Volunteer Opportunities in Armenia for Repatriates

Repatriates have a wealth of opportunities available for them when they move to Armenia. One particularly rewarding way to get involved is by volunteering. Volunteering provides repats with valuable experience, enabling them to both give back to the country and gain personal fulfillment at the same time.
Whatever your profession, there is almost certainly a way that you can utilize it by volunteering in Armenia. While some professions are in higher demand than others, there is plenty of work in Armenia for foreigners of all stripes to contribute to the growth of the homeland. So regardless of whether you are a teacher, a CEO, an agricultural specialist, or even an actor, there is a place in the Armenian volunteer world for you.
Why Volunteer in Armenia?
If you are of Armenian descent, you might have attended many diasporan events in your home country. Church activities, community fairs, concerts - all these things can be extremely interesting and useful in learning about Armenian culture. However, they cannot provide the same type of experience that volunteering in the country does.
Volunteering provides a unique way to dig into the local culture in the country (sometimes literally!), gain a deeper understanding of its dynamics, and form long-lasting relationships with people. It is becoming increasingly popular among repats as more and more people connect with local communities and feel the rewards of giving back.
Benefits of Volunteering for Repatriates
There are innumerable benefits to be gained from volunteering. Among many others:
-Volunteers gain first-hand experience in their field within the local context. Even top specialists can gain from understanding their trade from a new perspective.
-Giving back to the country provides volunteers with tremendous psychological satisfaction. Knowing that you have truly benefited the homeland is something that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
-Volunteering allows repats to form deep relationships with their local counterparts. Simply interacting with others at shops or in passing doesn't provide nearly the same opportunity to bond as working together on long-term projects does.
-Giving back to the country provides volunteers with tremendous psychological satisfaction. Knowing that you have truly benefited the homeland is something that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
-Volunteering allows repats to form deep relationships with their local counterparts. Simply interacting with others at shops or in passing doesn't provide nearly the same opportunity to bond as working together on long-term projects does.
Key Areas for Volunteering in Armenia
Regardless of your profession, there is likely a way that you can find volunteer work in it within the country. There are, of course, certain areas that are in highest demand:
Teaching
Teachers of foreign languages (particularly English, but also French, Spanish, and others) are always needed in the country. Knowledge of these languages helps prepare citizens of all ages for international work.
Business Development
Armenia has come a long way in its business culture since independence, but it still has many areas that still need improvement. Assistance with operations, marketing and sales, and other aspects of cuisines development - particularly in the regions outside Yerevan - is still in high demand.
Community Service
Community service covers many different types of activities. Volunteers might work with local parks or recreation centers, in nursing homes, at daycare centers, in soup kitchens, or numerous other places. They can be urban- or rural-based. Essentially, community service includes any activity that can help a given community develop.
Healthcare
While Armenia’s healthcare facilities have improved since independence - particularly in Yerevan - there are still many parts of the country that need help in this area. State clinics still suffer from poor funding, outdated equipment, and out-of-date methodologies. Many necessary treatments are too expensive for people to afford. In many smaller rural regions, there are no facilities at all. People lack awareness about preventative health and nutrition, and can greatly benefit from specialists with proper credentials.
Environmentalism
The concepts of environmentalism and sustainable practices are still largely unknown in many (particularly rural) areas of the country. Volunteers can contribute a great deal by helping local communities learn about recycling, energy conservation, deforestation, water management, and other areas critical to developing sustainable lifestyles.
Anyone Can Volunteer
Any repat hoping to give back to the homeland can find a place to volunteer in the country, regardless of age, profession, or country of origin. Some people even take on multiple volunteer jobs as they see different areas where they can make a difference. It is truly one of the best ways to share your skills with people who need it most and gain personal fulfillment at the same time. If you are interested in a particular place, or even if you have a general interest but aren’t sure where to start, contact Repat Armenia today to find out more about the possibilities.
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