Syrian rebels and fights for over 2 years are the main reasons, which made hundreds of Armenian families, leave their birthplace and move to their native country. One of these families was the family of Manoukyans. The family’s father 50 year-old Hrach Manoukyan, leaving behind his home and all the earnings that he gained during his lifetime: a restaurant at the Mediterranean coast and a small shop in Kesab, Syria, took his family and moved to Armenia. They are 6 in their family: father, mother: 47-year-old Ani, two daughters: 23-year old Silva and 25-year old Sona, a son: 18-year old Hakob, and their 3 year-old grandchild.
“It has not been easy for us to agree with the idea that we should leave our birthplace, leave our lifestyle there and it was hard for us to see our country in that awful condition,” says Ani.
As they claim, the most important problem in Armenia is the lack of working places. “Mostly all members of our family have proper education, but still we can’t find a permanent job. But we don’t lose hope and try hard”.
During these eight months in Armenia, they have already rented 3 different houses and got along with the money they have brought with them, but as they claim it’s not endless and they hope that some day they will find their place in their native country.
Syrian rebels and fights for over 2 years are the main reasons, which made hundreds of Armenian families, leave their birthplace and move to their native country. One of these families was the family of Manoukyans. The family’s father 50 year-old Hrach Manoukyan, leaving behind his home and all the earnings that he gained during his lifetime: a restaurant at the Mediterranean coast and a small shop in Kesab, Syria, took his family and moved to Armenia. They are 6 in their family: father, mother: 47-year-old Ani, two daughters: 23-year old Silva and 25-year old Sona, a son: 18-year old Hakob, and their 3 year-old grandchild.
“It has not been easy for us to agree with the idea that we should leave our birthplace, leave our lifestyle there and it was hard for us to see our country in that awful condition,” says Ani.
As they claim, the most important problem in Armenia is the lack of working places. “Mostly all members of our family have proper education, but still we can’t find a permanent job. But we don’t lose hope and try hard”.
During these eight months in Armenia, they have already rented 3 different houses and got along with the money they have brought with them, but as they claim it’s not endless and they hope that some day they will find their place in their native country.
The government of Armenia has taken some steps to help Syrian Armenians, but as Ani says they don’t enjoy the financial support from the government because they think there are hundreds of Syrian Armenians who need that help more than they do.
While speaking about the difficulties they have in Yerevan, Ani mentions the linguistic problems while communicating with local people. She says that at first they didn’t even understand the local people, especially when they were speaking fast and were using Russian words in their speech.
“They didn’t understand us, as well,” says Ani. “For example, one day I had a planned meeting with a local man, and when he called me I said that I would be there in 30 seconds, when I reached there he had already gone. Then I knew what was the problem: we say second when we mean “minute””.
When comparing Yerevan to Kesab, Ani couldn’t help her admiration about Yerevan. “Everything is very beautiful and modern in Yerevan, streets are cleaner and larger than in Kesab,” she says. “I was nicely surprised when I first saw that people cross the street following the traffic light, because as we have narrower streets in Kesab, we mostly have no traffic lights and people cross the streets wherever they want”.
As Ani mentions, they try to know the country better, want to promote the development of Armenia with their knowledge and skills. Armenia has always been a dream for them and now they signify the fact that they live in their country, among Armenians.
Source: JNews.am