Knights and Daughters of Vartan Mark 10th “Back to the Homeland” Trip with Week of Service, Partnership and Connection in Armenia

YEREVAN  — The Knights and Daughters of Vartan (KDV) marked a milestone this September with the 10th Back to the Homeland (Veratarts Hayrenik) trip.

The story of Back to the Homeland began with a simple but meaningful vision: to bring Knights and Daughters of Vartan members closer to Armenia. During Past Grand Commander (PGC) Steven Kradjian’s term in office, a test trip in 2015 helped shape that vision. In 2016, he initiated the first official Back to the Homeland trip, beginning a tradition that has since brought KDV members face-to-face with the people, projects, and communities they support. Ten trips later, that vision continues—strengthening the bond between the Diaspora and Armenia and reminding us that coming back to the Homeland is, in many ways, coming home.

Held September 20–26, the weeklong program took participants across Armenia to see firsthand the impact of KDV-supported initiatives in education, economic development, housing and other areas, while strengthening connections between the Diaspora and Homeland.

Over the course of 10 Back to the Homeland trips, more than 300 Knights and Daughters of Vartan members and friends have participated, creating an important bridge between KDV members in the Diaspora and the people, organizations and communities they support in Armenia.

“The 10th Back to the Homeland trip is an important milestone, but our focus is on what comes next,” said Grand Commander Robert Avakian. “Visiting our projects and meeting the families, students and entrepreneurs whose lives are directly touched by our work reminds us why it is so important to continue these programs. We want to build on what has been accomplished, strengthen our partnerships and continue investing in projects that create lasting opportunities for people in Armenia.”

“This was my first time on the Veratarts Hayrenik trip, and I am so honored to have joined my father, PGC Steven Kradjian. I loved the group environment on the trip, and the opportunity to spend time with my dad together in Armenia is something I am so grateful for and will remember forever. I loved being able to meet the ESP business owners and see the equipment they bought with the Knights of Vartan project funds. I am so happy I got to experience the Motherland with my dad while working with an organization close to our hearts.” – Ani Kradjian

The journey began at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin with Badarak and a welcome lunch at Machanents Center. The delegation then visited the poultry farm of Gagik Khachatryan, a beneficiary of KDV’s Economic Sustainability Program (ESP), which helps individuals and families develop sustainable sources of income through support for equipment and tools.

Investing in Families and the Next Generation

Education remained an important focus of the trip. At Knights of Vartan School #106 in Yerevan, participants saw the continuing transformation of the school through years of KDV support. Seven additional classrooms were renovated this year with implementing partner Paros Foundation. To commemorate the 10th Back to the Homeland trip, members planted an anniversary tree at the school as a symbol of the growing relationship between KDV and the school community.

The delegation also met university students supported through the Tabibian Family Fund of the Knights of Vartan. Six students received scholarships this year. Since its inception in 2023, the program has supported 27 students—two at the American University of Armenia, 11 at the National Polytechnic University of Armenia and 14 at Yerevan State University.

Housing support was highlighted during a visit to the Avalyan family in Hayanist village. Through its longstanding partnership with Fuller Center for Housing Armenia, KDV has supported 67 families, helping families improve their housing conditions and build greater stability.

Meeting the People Behind the Programs

Throughout the week, participants met several beneficiaries of KDV’s Economic Sustainability Program (ESP) and saw how the program is helping entrepreneurs build and rebuild their livelihoods.

In Abovyan, the delegation visited Kristine Akobyan, who was forced to leave behind her beauty salon in Artsakh. With support from the Knights of Vartan, she reopened her salon in Armenia and now employs five people. In Hrazdan, participants visited the bakery of ESP beneficiary Narine Hayrapetyan.

These visits gave KDV members the opportunity to meet beneficiaries personally and see how investments in equipment, tools and small businesses can translate into jobs, income and greater economic stability for families.

To date, 91 small business projects were supported and over $213K distributed with about 92% success rate after a year of monitoring.

Strengthening Partnerships and Connections

The itinerary also included Gyumri, Aparan and Lake Sevan, along with meetings in Yerevan. In Aparan, the parents of PGC Hunan Arshakian welcomed the delegation into their home for dinner, continuing a warm Back to the Homeland tradition that gives participants the experience of returning not simply to a country, but to an Armenian family and home.

The delegation met with High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan to discuss Armenia–Diaspora relations and opportunities for further cooperation, including repatriation, engagement of Diaspora professionals and youth participation.

On September 25, the delegation met with Chargé d’Affaires David Allen at the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, where members presented KDV’s mission, ongoing work in Armenia and future plans.

A Gala Celebrating Impact and Resilience

The milestone week concluded September 26 with the Back to the Homeland Gala at Tufenkian Kharpert Restaurant, bringing together over 30 KDV members, partners, students, friends and ESP beneficiaries. Several ESP participants exhibited and sold their handmade products, allowing guests to directly support the entrepreneurs.

Among them was Nakhshun Avagyan, an Armenian folk artisan from Artsakh and mother of four, who spoke movingly about rebuilding her life after losing her homeland. She told guests that the support of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan had “given back her wings.” Her words reflected the broader purpose of the Economic Sustainability Program: helping people rebuild not only livelihoods, but also confidence and hope.

Students from Knights of Vartan School #106 added a cultural highlight to the evening by performing the traditional Armenian dances Kochari and Tamzara. Inspired by the progress he witnessed at the school, PGC Dr. Gary Zamanigian expressed renewed enthusiasm for continuing fundraising efforts to help make School #106 an exceptional educational institution.

Ten Trips, One Continuing Mission

Over 10 Back to the Homeland journeys, more than 300 participants have had the opportunity to experience Armenia through direct connections with families, students, entrepreneurs, educators and partner organizations.

The 10th anniversary trip continued that tradition. Participants met entrepreneurs rebuilding their livelihoods, scholarship students preparing for their futures, families benefiting from housing support and students whose school has been transformed through sustained investment.

As the Knights and Daughters of Vartan celebrate this milestone, the organization extends its appreciation to its members, donors, partners and supporters whose commitment makes this work in Armenia possible.

The 10th Back to the Homeland journey may have concluded, but its mission continues: strengthening the connection between the Diaspora and Homeland while supporting projects that create lasting opportunities for Armenia and its people.

The Knights of Vartan Inc. is a fraternal leadership and service organization of Armenian men dedicated to safeguarding and perpetuating the Armenian heritage and cultural traditions. Its membership represents the spectrum of the leadership of the Armenian community. It was founded in 1916 in Philadelphia and is based in the United States with 22 local chapters which support Armenian causes around the world.

The Daughters of Vartan is an Armenian Sisterhood associated with the Knights of Vartan. It was organized in 1933 in Philadelphia. The Daughters of Vartan is an organization of women whose members are committed to the intellectual, personal, and leadership development of Armenian women and families around the world, while also promoting Armenian heritage and Christian values through its 18 chapters across the US.

For more information about the Knights and Daughters of Vartan, visit http://kofv.org.