“Root and Sprout” competition connects youth through family history research

YEREVAN, Armenia — Dr. Ani Manukyan, educator, author and president of the “Supporters/Ajakicner” NGO, is proud to announce the fourth edition of the “Discover Your Family History” project and the “Root and Sprout” (Armat and Tsil) research-creative competition. This unique initiative invites Armenian students from around the world to delve into their ancestral roots, bridging the gap between historical trauma and modern identity.

The project was born from the research for Dr. Manukyan’s book, They Won Through Living, which documents the lives of 34 orphaned girls raised in the Near East Relief orphanages in Alexandrapol (modern-day Gyumri) after the Armenian Genocide. As a descendant of one of these survivors, Dr. Manukyan has transformed her personal history into a pedagogical mission to empower the next generation.

“Our participants do not merely discover their family histories; they preserve them for future generations,” said Dr. Manukyan. “Through our 12-session workshop series, students develop critical research and analytical thinking skills, learning to transform oral histories into academic and creative essays.”