A camp in the heart of the Vallée fleurie
The Vallée Fleurie - Tsaghkadzor in Armenian - lives up to its name! It's rich in vegetation, cooler than other parts of the country and ideal for skiing in winter... In the heart of these green hills, between the former Soviet sports training camp and the Hrazdan power station, nestles the Our Lady of Armenia camp, which hosts several colonies for orphans every summer. They are organised by the Armenian Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, with the help of Armenian and international volunteers, including the French members of Œuvre d'Orient, of which I am one.
The days here are punctuated by morning classes (art, French, English, sport, chess, singing, dance, IT, sewing), meals, afternoon sports Olympics ('Sportlandia'), free time to play and evenings of shows, sketches, songs, dances and games of all kinds, before gathering in the chapel for evening prayers before the smiling face of Our Lady of Armenia.
The 10 days in the camp pass quickly, too quickly in fact! On the eve of departure, we light a big fire, form a circle around it and sing "It's only goodbye" in Armenian before celebrating. The children left the next day, with hugs, tears of emotion and last smiles through the dusty window of the bus.
What struck me most at the Tsaghkadzor camp was the simple joy of the children. The joy of being in this place, the joy of playing, learning, laughing...
I am also in awe of their prayers, their silent and simple fervour, and the joyful embodiment of their faith in all the visible signs, rosaries on their wrists, crosses hanging from their rear-view mirrors and meticulous liturgy, that mark the age-old attachment of a people to their God.
After my photo report, I will postpone my return to France so that I can come back to this blessed place ...
