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My name is Nare Badasyan , and I am deeply rooted in the spirit and identity of Artsakh . I was forcibly displaced from Aghavno , Artsakh , to Tegh village in the Syunik region in August 2022 , following the transfer of several Armenian villages to Azerbaijan . Leaving behind my heart , memories , and dreams of making Aghavno a better place .
Teach For Armenia revitalized my aspirations , mainly through the remarkable Ms . Nina Shahverdyan , our dedicated English language Teacher-Leader . Her arrival in Aghavno transformed our school through academic enrichment and inspired us to believe in our ability to effect positive change . Ms . Shahverdyan helped us recognize and appreciate our strengths and potential within our community , fostering patience , responsibility , and creativity in addressing our village ’ s challenges . As our teamwork skills developed , we embarked on educational and cultural projects , traveling to Stepanakert and Yerevan , which enriched our problem-solving skills and broadened our experiences . these difficulties , we remained resilient , striving to continue our education and daily lives .
The forced displacement of the Armenian population of Artsakh in September 2023 felt like our world had shattered . I had hoped for a future where my friends , classmates , and teacher , who remained in Artsakh and kept in touch with me , would live in a free and peaceful land — those challenging days reminded me of my last moments in Aghavno when I longingly gazed at our school and kissed the walls of my classroom , leaving a piece of my heart with each farewell .
Since the 44-day war , we have faced numerous hardships in Artsakh — power outages , water shortages , the constant threat of gunfire , psychological strain , and the fear of losing our homes . Despite
Annual Report 2023 13