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**Dite** · 01-19-2007, 10:25 PM

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

Clean Armenian needs (somewhat depends on) fair international monetary practices, also.

People in the US can DEMAND that foreign debt from Armenia (and MANY other countries) be forgiven.

The US has spent OVER a TRILLION on the Iraq 'war'

That is Trillion, not billion.

Four billion would provide ALL people on the EARTH with basic food, medical and housing needs according to the UN (as I know.)

Yet, Armenia is going into major national debt over the relatively minute 'loan.'

Lots of details left out, but that sounds a bit like indentured servitude, to me. Many nations of the world are in the same situation. Thank goodness things are starting to change! I hope that continues.

"Armenia's aggregate foreign debt grew by 13 percent in 1999 and now stands at $876 [1999]
million, slightly less than half of GDP, RFE/RL's Yerevan
bureau reported on 1 February, citing official statistical
data. The authorities estimate that the figure will rise to
$938 million by the end of this year. The Armenian government
and Central Bank will spend a total of $78 million on
external debt servicing in 2000. That figure is roughly one
fifth of projected government revenues. Last year, a total of
$61.6 million was spent on external debt service....i"

**Crissy** · 01-23-2007, 08:11 PM

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

Who decides who is to be elected? The People? Doubt it. The country was corrupt even during the soviet times. As for the Mafia, with or without them it'll take a long time for the country to rebuild itself. It'll take a long time for people to change their ways to improve. Someone suggested that Armenian needs to learn to do business like they do in America, they can't do it because the police (kaxakayin, not sure how to say it in English) the mafia they all will want to take "their share" from the business.

Everyone wants to help, but no one seems to know how, Even if the countries debts were paid off, we need the corruption to stop so that the country can improve.

As for individuals that would like to help? I suggest a volunteer program. One of my friends, who speaks no word of Armenian, moved to Armenia and is working voluntarily at the mental hospital and lectures at one of the universities. Every little bit helps

**MrLeftyHye** · 01-23-2007, 08:30 PM

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

Originally posted by Crissy

Who decides who is to be elected? The People? Doubt it. The country was corrupt even during the soviet times. As for the Mafia, with or without them it'll take a long time for the country to rebuild itself. It'll take a long time for people to change their ways to improve. Someone suggested that Armenian needs to learn to do business like they do in America, they can't do it because the police (kaxakayin, not sure how to say it in English) the mafia they all will want to take "their share" from the business.

Everyone wants to help, but no one seems to know how, Even if the countries debts were paid off, we need the corruption to stop so that the country can improve.

As for individuals that would like to help? I suggest a volunteer program. One of my friends, who speaks no word of Armenian, moved to Armenia and is working voluntarily at the mental hospital and lectures at one of the universities. Every little bit helps

WOW! I give your friend credit for doing that & yes we should start a volunteer program for people to go there lets say for example every summer & provide clothes food to those in need.

**Crissy** · 01-23-2007, 08:42 PM

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

There is a volunteer program for minimum of 3 months to a year. France organises a summer camp for Armenian school kids to go for a few weeks, they generally live in the villages and help out the elderly with farming, cooking, cleaning etc.

A couple from Sydney, went to Armenia and have opened up the new Hostel there. They've been living there ever since. It's an amazing effort considering the wife is Australian. She writes articles of life in Armenia once a month which gets published here in Sydney.

Mission Armenia also organises volunteer programmes.

check this sites out but there are more when you google it.

http://www.volunteerabroad.com/Armenia.cfm

**MrLeftyHye** · 01-23-2007, 09:02 PM

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

10xs for the website Crissy.

**Fedayeen** · 01-23-2007, 10:48 PM

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

Right now even our selfs are not living good here in US but its still 100 times better then in Armenia...every month we send money to our neighbors, friends and family in Armenia...and we donate absolutely nothing to any organization (i think we all know how that works) Other then that as Crissy said, you can do the volunteer program.

As for people visiting Armenia...if you have money and only have fun obviously it would be a great place...that is good that you noticed some of the general negative aspects.

Also corruption is everywhere in the world...i wish corruption was the problem... but the stuff your own people do to you is just wow...thats why we got of there as soon as we could...

In a place where people everyday are hungry don't even have food...and when your child goes to the army...they demand money...and unfortunately they are very serious about it...and thats why six 18 year olds were tied up and thrown to well in the middle of winter and they all froze to death

and i met one of the guy's mother...so many bad and sad memories like that...

**Artsakh** · 01-24-2007, 12:05 AM

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

Originally posted by MrLeftyHye

1) Kids smoking on thr streets at the age of 11 12.

not really. some bad apples start smoking in their early teens, but not that early. I recall kids smoking in the bathroom when i went to elementary school here in the US. bad kids are bad kids, they're found everywhere.

2) Kids selling anything (roses, doves) to suppor tthere fmaily.

I came back from Armenia two weeks ago, traveled all over the country, and did not notice any such thing.

3) The Elderly begging for $$$.

quit spreading fairy-tales. you can find a few beggers here and there, usually one or 2 waiting outside the churches, but this is on a very small scale. by contrast, You can find a whole sea of beggers by visiting downtown LA.

4) People sleeping on the street.

not extensive.

I mean the whole country is run by the Mafia, I hope we can do something to uprise the country of Armenia.

now you're just being silly and parroting what you've heard a few villagers talk of.

**Artsakh** · 01-24-2007, 12:10 AM

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

Problems with Armenia:

1) the way people drive and lack of enforement of driving laws.
2) PEDESTRIANS: they cross the streets from where they're not allowed to.
3) corruption; cops openly accepting bribes

but with all its bad aspects, Armenia is still sweeter than any other country in the world.

**Artsakh** · 01-24-2007, 12:15 AM

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?

HOW TO HELP ARMENIA:

1) VISIT ARMENIA (THIS IS ONLY WAY TO MAKE A DIRECT DEPOSIT INTO THE ARMENIAN ECONOMY--by filling your stomach with Kebabs and other delicious dishes your are helping armenian businesses in armenia, and helping the economy)
2) BUY PRODUCTS MADE IN ARMENIA(if you don't buy them, factories in armenia will produce less, which means less profits for armenia)
3)DON'T BUY PRODUCTS MADE IN TURKEY, AZERBAIJAN, OR ANY COUNTRY ANTAGONISTIC TOWARDS ARMENIA.
4) DON"T VISIT TURKEY: some armenians want to see historical armenia, ani and such, but by going to these turkish occupied armenian lands you are helping turkey.

NEED I REMIND YOU, WE HAVE A LIBERATED SHUSHI ON OUR HANDS. LETS GO SEE THAT!

**TomServo** · 01-24-2007, 01:16 AM

Re: How Can We Help Armenia?