October 16, 2024, marked a successful completion to an empowering journey: the closing ceremony of the modeling masterclasses for the displaced women of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).
As part of the YMCA Roots for Peace initiative, this program was designed to support women affected by the Artsakh Exodus, providing them with essential skills in sewing and modeling. Ten women devoted three months to learning new skills, while overcoming significant challenges of daily responsibilities and motherhood.
The classes started on July 15th, at the historic Hadrut Art Center which was a safe haven for creativity and learning. Under the expert guidance of instructor Nadezda Sargsyan, the women grew more confident in their abilities. “Everyone has a different personality, and it shows in their work and learning. But they all are connected in their diligence, in their desire to learn a new skill and be able to provide for their families,” remarked Nadezhda.
Irina Tamrazyan, the director of the Hadrut Art Center, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to YMCA for gifting 10 sewing machines to the women, noting the profound impact they will have on each household. “These machines are a lifeline,” she shared, illustrating how women will now be able to care for their families with newfound independence.
The group symbolized YMCA’s commitment to bridging generations. It was composed of both young girls, who also participate in local dance classes, and women helping raise their grandchildren. One of those women is Jenya, who looks after four grandsons. Jenya, like others, now finds herself better equipped to care for her family, with a sewing machine gifted to her upon graduation. Her sewing machine will not only mend her grandsons’ football-torn pants but also serve as a symbol of mending hearts in their time of need.
YMCA Artsakh member Srbuhi Balayan, a beloved figure from Artsakh, recounted the emotional moment when she saw YMCA once again, this time supporting her mother. She shared a personal story about her mother’s old sewing machine, a “Chayka” from the Soviet Union. That machine, Srbuhi explained, is a poignant memory of her mother fixing clothes for the entire neighborhood, a gesture of care that lasted through Srbuhi’s childhood. In a tragic anecdote, Srbuhi recalled the last garment her mother sewed—a pair of pants for a neighbor who was tragically killed before they could be worn.
This initiative, with its deep-rooted connections to history and community, continues to sew hope into the lives of those affected by the Artsakh Exodus, empowering them to look toward the future with resilience and solidarity.
No YMCA Roots event happens without the unwavering support of the YMCA Generation Next scholarship holders, who are always present with their dedication and bright, happy faces.
