Summer Camp 2025: Tamar Izmirlian

I’m Tamar from Lebanon, and I have been living in Armenia for 13 years.
​
As a Lebanese Armenian, I know very well what war means and how traumatic it is for children. HRI summer camp was the place where I was deeply amazed by the incredible work the volunteers were doing. The love and respect I witnessed in such a short period of time are beyond words. I cannot fully explain how much this experience encouraged me.

My first highlight was realizing that sometimes people with the same wounds can truly understand one another and bring healing to each other. I saw this at camp, when children from different villages hugged and cried together, because their loss was the same, and their pain was the same.

My second highlight was seeing how HRI volunteers were truly making history by bringing love to those children. They were able to humble themselves and walk in the same shoes, sharing in their struggles with compassion.

I thank God for this opportunity and pray that He gives strength to every leader carrying this important work on their shoulders. Thank you, team, for involving me and for opening my eyes to the immense impact of what you are doing. Keep up the wonderful work!