The Second Homecoming: Why Silva Chose to Do it Again

It’s one thing to hear your native language spoken in your living room in France; it’s another to hear it rising from the back of a crowded bus in Yerevan. For Silva Sardarian, that moment in 2000 – the goosebumps, the sudden realization of belonging – was a seed that took twenty years to fully bloom.
Most people at 64 are looking toward a quiet retirement, but Silva chose to listen to her daughters who had gone to Armenia to volunteer through Birthright Armenia. When one of them finally asked, “Mom, why don’t you volunteer in Armenia as well?” Silva didn’t have a list of reasons why she couldn’t, so she just had a simple, “Yes.”
In 2023, Silva traded the familiarity of France for a new mission through the Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC). She joined the Senior Corps, a specialized program that invites experienced professionals aged 60 and above to reimagine retirement as a time of purpose. By dedicating over 20 hours per week, these volunteers contribute across sectors like education, the arts, and social services – sharing not just their professional expertise, but their humanity.

She didn’t arrive in Armenia with a grand plan to change the world; she arrived with a suitcase and a willingness to be useful. During her 2023 placement, she found
herself in Masis, standing in front of a group of children who were eager to learn French.Silva quickly realized she wasn’t just a teacher. She was a bridge.

She watched her students’ faces light up as they mastered new sounds, but the real magic happened outside the classroom. She remembers taking them to the Museum of Nature – a simple trip for some, but for these kids, it was an event. Watching them navigate the city and explore the exhibits, Silva saw the world through their eyes. It wasn’t about the curriculum anymore; it was about the connection.

“No matter how much you give, you take just as much,” Silva says.Through the Senior Corps, she found that at 64, she wasn’t “done” – she was just starting a different chapter where her life experience was her greatest asset.

The most telling part of Silva’s story isn’t that she went; it’s that she couldn’t stay away. When her first term ended, the quiet of France didn’t feel quite right. She missed the noise, the warmth, and the feeling of being exactly where she was needed. So, she packed her bags and did it all over again, returning for a second service term.

Today, if you ask her about the future, she just smiles. A third trip is already playing in the back of her mind. “Why not?” she asks. Silva’s journey is a quiet reminder that “home” isn’t just where you’re from – it’s where you decide to show up and give back.

Are you ready to say “Yes” to Armenia? To learn more about the Senior Corps and how you can contribute your professional or life experience to Armenia’s growth, visit the Armenian Volunteer Corps at armenianvolunteer.org.