Canadian Youth Mission to Armenia
Encyclopedia
CYMA - Canadian Youth Mission to Armenia - is a volunteer run humanitarian and student exchange program in support of the Republic of Armenia created by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and Ronald Alepian
.
, and university student Ronald Alepian
.
region of the newly independent Republic of Armenia. The mission had three main projects:
Over the next several years, from 1994 to 2007, CYMA conducted missions each year, with over 400 participants having taken one month sabbaticals from life to work hands-on on various projects and programs; from construction to the management of day camps and child care services.
.
It was founded in 1992 by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and Founding Chairperson Ronald Alepian
, then a 22 year old university student. When creating CYMA, Alepian formed an honorary Board of Directors to add credibility to the mission, which included the late Senator Jacques Hebert
(founder of Canada World Youth
) and the late Senator Shirley Maheu
. Hebert and Maheu gave counsel and direction to Alepian and the early CYMA leaders.
One of the first things done by the founding committee was to commission a logo to brand the program in the minds of the community. The logo is highly recognizable within the Armenian community and remains a symbol of Canada's participation in the redevelopment of the new country.
Alepian was awarded the St. Gregory of Nareg Cross by Archbishop Derderian in 1993 for his work developing the CYMA program.
Ronald Alepian
Ronald Alepian is Vice President and Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications for the TMX Group, which owns Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX Venture Exchange, Natural Gas Exchange , Montreal Exchange, Boston Options Exchange , among others...
.
Program Description
CYMA, the Canadian Youth Mission to Armenia, is a Canadian, volunteer led humanitarian and exchange program focused on redevelopment, community projects, humanitarian aid distribution and student exchange. CYMA was founded in late 1992 through a collaboration between Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, then primate of the Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic ChurchArmenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
, and university student Ronald Alepian
Ronald Alepian
Ronald Alepian is Vice President and Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications for the TMX Group, which owns Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX Venture Exchange, Natural Gas Exchange , Montreal Exchange, Boston Options Exchange , among others...
.
Inaugural Mission
The first CYMA "mission" took place in the summer of 1993 when 24 young Canadians spent a month in the AraratArarat (province)
Ararat is a province of Armenia with capital in Artashat. Named after Mount Ararat, the province borders Turkey to the west and Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic to the south...
region of the newly independent Republic of Armenia. The mission had three main projects:
- The construction of a primary school. A 5000 sq ft (464.5 m²). building left uncompleted after the fall of the Soviet Union was renovated and furnished in under 4 weeks by the volunteers and opened in late August 1993. It continues to operate today.
- Distribution of aid to border villages affected by the War in Karabakh and to children and orphan members of the CFFA - Children's Fund for Armenia.
- Visitations, aid and humanitarian relief to poor families in the Ararat Region.
Over the next several years, from 1994 to 2007, CYMA conducted missions each year, with over 400 participants having taken one month sabbaticals from life to work hands-on on various projects and programs; from construction to the management of day camps and child care services.
Creation of CYMA
CYMA operates under the auspices of the Canadian Diocese, but since it's early days, enjoys the active participation and support of the various Armenian organizations in Canada, including the AGBU - Armenian General Benevolent UnionArmenian General Benevolent Union
The Armenian General Benevolent Union abbreviated as AGBU, is a non-profit Armenian organization. It was established in Cairo, Egypt in 1906...
.
It was founded in 1992 by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and Founding Chairperson Ronald Alepian
Ronald Alepian
Ronald Alepian is Vice President and Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications for the TMX Group, which owns Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX Venture Exchange, Natural Gas Exchange , Montreal Exchange, Boston Options Exchange , among others...
, then a 22 year old university student. When creating CYMA, Alepian formed an honorary Board of Directors to add credibility to the mission, which included the late Senator Jacques Hebert
Jacques Hébert
Jacques René Hébert was a French journalist, and the founder and editor of the extreme radical newspaper Le Père Duchesne during the French Revolution...
(founder of Canada World Youth
Canada World Youth
Canada World Youth is an international non-profit organization dedicated to providing dynamic youth, ages 15–25, with an opportunity to learn about other communities, cultures and people while developing leadership and communications skills....
) and the late Senator Shirley Maheu
Shirley Maheu
Shirley Maheu was a Canadian politician.A resident of Saint-Laurent, Quebec since 1965, where she operated a successful insurance brokerage firm in partnership with her husband Renė Maheu, Senator Maheu was a founding member of the Saint-Laurent Chamber of Commerce and served as its first...
. Hebert and Maheu gave counsel and direction to Alepian and the early CYMA leaders.
One of the first things done by the founding committee was to commission a logo to brand the program in the minds of the community. The logo is highly recognizable within the Armenian community and remains a symbol of Canada's participation in the redevelopment of the new country.
Alepian was awarded the St. Gregory of Nareg Cross by Archbishop Derderian in 1993 for his work developing the CYMA program.