AUA Students Organize Book Drive for Abovyan Women’s Prison

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By Nayri Kechichian (BA English & Communications ’17) and Norvard Khanaghyan (BA Business ’17)

YEREVAN, Armenia – Before spring break, during a regular Freshman English 2 class at the American University of Armenia (AUA), the students of section M came up with the idea of donating books to one of Armenia’s prisons.  As suggested by the instructor, Dr. Shushan Avagyan, the books were to be donated to Abovyan Women’s Prison.

For approximately a week, a box was placed in AUA’s AGBU Papazian Library, during which time many students donated their own books. The books consisted of different genres and languages, mainly Armenian and Russian.

On April 11, 2014, two students, along with their instructor, delivered the books to the Group of Public Monitors Implementing Supervision Over the Criminal-Executive Institutions and Bodies of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, which will transport the books to the Abovyan Prison. The Group of Public Monitors constantly fights for the rights of the inmates, organizes trainings, and raises awareness on their issues. According to the Secretary of the Group of Public Monitors, most inmates are young adults, thus they need reading material and other forms of support they can get.

This book drive was a great experience and a successful one. We, the students of Freshman English 2, Section M, would like to organize more activities such as this in order to help imprisoned women and men. We hope that next time we will get more support and donations from students, and we will be able to help and support more inmates.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.

From left: Dr. Shushan Avagyan, Norvard Khanaghyan (BA Business ’17), Coordinator of the Group of Public Monitors Meri Zohrabyan, and Nayri Kechichian (BA English & Communications ’17)