Summer Camp 2022: Sose Hanneyan

My name is Sose Hanneyan. I’ve been volunteering with kids for years now, and specifically with kids in Armenia for about 4 years now. They never cease to amaze me with their warmth and courage. As a nation we have been through a lot and seen a lot but I look at the youth today and I am simply amazed. I can’t name just one instance where I was completely blown away by these kids but I guess I will have to tell you about one instance that stood out most. An amazing kid by the name of Robert (Rob) from the Orange Group was practicing his “square tile” for the art project that we had going and he did such an amazing job he ended up submitting two pieces. One of them was a written explanation of what the colors of the Armenian flag mean in regards to Armenians and their history and the second was an amazing illustration of the Opera building in Yerevan. I remember him turning them into me and I was completely stunned at his talent and I asked him if he liked art and if he enjoyed it and a big smile went across his face — I was in awe and so he let me keep his practice pieces. He then ended up replicating the two for the final submission for the canvas project. I proceeded to ask him to talk about his two drawings at the closing assembly of camp. He showed up with a written response for what he wanted to talk about and I just kept being more and more stunned by the talents and drive of this kid .. he asked if he should speak by memory or read it .. and I told him he has no problem and can read if he’d like… the choice was completely his! He then proceeded to give a great presentation and ended his presentation by asking the entire audience that was present that day to take a one minute silence for the fallen soldiers of the 44 day 2020 Artsakh war. He had not told me that he would do that and I am glad he didn’t because I was just so incredibly proud and awestruck by the heart he had. These kids have so much talent and so much to give… I know that we are in good hands knowing that there are kids like this in our Homeland.