Making a Difference in Armenia: Turning a School Trip into Something More

This summer, I had the opportunity to travel to Armenia with my high school as a 10th grader for a 2 week educational trip focused on learning about our history, culture, and identity. Going into the trip, my class expected to learn a lot about the country and visit historical sites, but personally, I went with the intention of giving-back to my community. Looking back, some of my favorite and most meaningful memories weren’t just from the places we visited, instead, they came from the people I met and the chance to make even a small difference.

Throughout the trip, I was lucky enough to participate in three different give-back projects. Each one was completely different, but together they made this trip so much more meaningful.

The first project was through my school with AGBU. We spent time packing wellness and hygiene bags that would later be distributed to families in need throughout Armenia. At first, it seemed like a simple activity, packing basic necessities into bags, but as we learned more about where these supplies were going, it became much more personal. Things that many of us use every day without thinking can make a huge difference for families who may not have easy access to them. It was a reminder that even small acts of kindness can have a real impact when enough people come together.

The second give-back was something much more personal because my brother and I helped organize it ourselves. Before traveling to Armenia, we reached out to Sherman Oaks Dental Arts, who generously donated $1,200 to support our project. Thanks to their generosity, we were able to purchase and donate hundreds of toothbrushes to COAF (Children of Armenia Fund), an organization that works to improve education, healthcare, and opportunities for children and families living in rural communities across Armenia.

Being able to actually see where our donation was going made the experience so much more rewarding. Instead of simply sending money and hoping it helped, we were able to visit, connect the donation directly with the organization, and know that these supplies would be reaching people who truly needed them.

The third experience was probably the one that impacted me the most.

I’m the president of a club at my school called The Pad Project, and I am an ambassador for the larger non-profit called The Pad Project. Throughout the school year, our members worked hard to raise money for women in Armenia who are escaping domestic violence. Thanks to the generosity of students at our school, we raised $1,000 that would go toward supplying hygiene products for ten regional women’s shelters, one shelter in each province of Armenia.

These shelters provide a safe place for women and their children who are fleeing dangerous situations, yet there are still very few shelters available throughout the country. Many people don’t realize how important basic hygiene supplies become during times of crisis. Having access to essentials like these can help restore a sense of dignity and normalcy during incredibly difficult moments.

After raising the money in America, we sent the donation to Armenia. While we were there, several members of our club had the incredible opportunity to meet with the people who helped organize the donation and work directly with these shelters. Instead of it being just another presentation, it turned into an open and meaningful conversation.

We spent a long time discussing the realities of their work, the challenges they face every day, and what life is like for many of the women they support. They shared stories about building trust, helping families rebuild their lives, and the ongoing need for resources and awareness. We also brainstormed ways that students like us could continue supporting their mission even after returning home.

That conversation has stayed with me ever since. It’s one thing to donate money, but it’s another thing entirely to sit across from the people doing this work every single day, hear their experiences firsthand, and understand just how much these shelters mean to the women they serve. It made everything we had done throughout the year feel so much more real.

When I think back on my trip to Armenia, I obviously remember the beautiful monasteries, the breathtaking landscapes, and learning more about my heritage. But what stands out the most are these opportunities to give back. They reminded me that connecting with your culture isn’t only about learning history, it’s also about helping shape its future and supporting the people who are living it every day.

I’m incredibly grateful that this trip gave me the chance to do all three of these projects. Whether it was packing hygiene kits with my classmates, organizing a toothbrush donation with my brother, or meeting with the incredible women working to support survivors of domestic violence, every experience taught me something different about service, compassion, and community.

I came home with so much more than pictures and souvenirs. I came home with a deeper appreciation for Armenia, a greater understanding of the challenges some communities face, and a stronger motivation to keep finding ways to give back. I hope this won’t be the last time I have the opportunity to be part of projects like these, because experiences like this remind me that even as a high school student, it’s possible to make a meaningful impact.

-Colette