Mayakovsky Village

Monday, September 4
(blog written while in Armenia)

After our morning devotions, tour group traveled to Mayakovsky Village where 9 homes have been built through Habitat for Humanity Armenia in the last few years. We started at a local school where we were greeted by the Mayor, town residents and many children. A beautiful girl in traditional Armenian dress welcomed us with bread and salt, a customary welcoming gift.



The Mayakovsky Mayor and his staff

We filed into the auditorium and we were presented with performance by school children. They recited poems in Armenian, danced and sang. One girl had voice that was so amazing and such a strong stage presence that we all agreed she could win Armenian Idol, if there was such a thing.





After the presentation, we went to see the home of a family that was built by Habitat for Humanity Armenia. Like so many homes in Armenia, a decade ago construction was begun on a home, but due to a downturn in the economy construction was never finished. So for ten years the family had been living in the "basement" of this structure, a small room with no light, no electricity and little air circulation.

The new home

Seeing the woman of the home show us her home, with so much pride in her eyes, brought many of our group to tears. It isn't huge. It isn't fancy. But to her, it is her castle.

The homeowner shows us her home