Taking a break at the worksite. CYMA (the Canadian Youth Mission to Armenia) is a non-profit organization based out of Montreal that coordinates service projects in Armenian annually. These projects range from construction and renovation of local infrastructure to restoration of historical sites throughout Armenia. Under the sponsorship of the Childrens' Fund for Armenia, CYMA also coordinates an annual day-camp for children living in nearby districts. CYMA volunteers are billetted with local families during their stay, and are encouraged to integrate fully into village life.
    In 2002, CYMA returned to Aratashen (in the province of Etchmiadzin), where work had begun two years ago on the local school. Our job was the complete the school and renovate the adjacent gymnasium, while coordinating a day camp for roughly 35 children.