Meet Garik, a young student from the village of Berdavan. He waited nearly 5 years for the opening of TUMO Koghb. Despite his busy schedule, which includes farming and being the president of his school’s student council, Garik finds time for his passions: drawing and programming.

Attending the Koghb School of Fine Arts, Garik combines sculpting and painting while dreaming of becoming a programmer. “Art is my passion, but programming is likely to be my main profession. At TUMO, I realized that programming is what I want to pursue,” says Garik. He also adds that after finishing his studies, he plans to return to his hometown to contribute to the community’s development.

In addition to being the founder of the Youth Art Center with his friends from the village, where they will discuss local issues and propose solutions, farming is an integral part of Garik’s life. He grows vegetables like beans and tomatoes and tends to the family garden, cultivating olives, persimmons, mulberries, silverberries, and other trees native to the region.

“Working with the soil relaxes me and helps me gather my thoughts. It’s fascinating to watch life emerge from the earth,” Garik notes.

And TUMO?

According to Garik, TUMO provides so many development opportunities for the youth in the community that they already feel its positive impact. “Many of my friends have already decided on their professions thanks to TUMO. The open environment, where you have the freedom to choose and feel important, was essential for us,” Garik says.

He has successfully participated in web development and photography workshops and even applied to the TUMOgraphy competition, where he presented photos depicting life on the border, hope, and the Ghalinjakar Fortress.

_{Ghalinjakar Fortress, Tavush Province | TUMOgraphy Competition}

Garik dreams of one day being part of the dynamic work environment at TUMO Koghb, whether as a coach or a workshop leader.
“I’ll share a secret—I’ve actually applied to be a coach at TUMO. I really want to work in this environment,” Garik confesses, continuing to pave the way towards his dreams with steady steps.