OTC is participating in a joint venture project with the sister cities of Vienne, France and Goris, Armenia renovating the 18th Century Sourp Astvatzatzin Church near the pagan era caves in Old Goris. Non-Armenian and Armenian volunteers from the Vienne community and local youth from Goris have committed themselves to this project.
During off work hours, the group mingled with each other and locals, explored the countryside, and went on typical and atypical excursions throughout Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, including viewing prior completed LCO/OTC projects. This not only gives them a sense of Armenia and its history, but an appreciation and inspiration for the work they were engaged in. This unique, off the tourist path, experience gave volunteers an opportunity to live the rural Armenian life and participate in preserving our ancient heritage.
For over 30 years, LCO has been one of the earliest volunteers groups in Armenia and Karabakh working to restore, renovate, and rejuvenate the historical monuments and sites of our nation. It has performed this mission through its summer campaigns, by volunteers of every age from the Diaspora and Armenia. To help our mission or join in our summer volunteer program, you may reach us at www.lcousa.org.