Syrian-Armenian Model says Armenia became “The Cradle” for her Successes

“Becoming a model was one of my hidden dreams, but I didn’t think it would come true in my real homeland,” said 24-year-old Shaghig Rastgelenian in an interview with WomenNet.am.   Shaghig  left Aleppo for Armenia in 2012 and is now helping not only her fellow disadvantaged Syrian-Armenian families, but also disadvantaged families in Armenia.

The pain of seeing her hometown destroyed and the death of her love made Shaghig leave Syria with her mother and sisters. After settling in Yerevan, Shaghig decided to continue her studies. While studying in the Department of International Business of the European University, she also started working for Iraqi Airlines for a while, after which she started working with Atex Fashion Center and became a model, obtaining her second profession. The tall and beautiful Shaghig was approved as a top model, and it wasn’t a surprise to see her represent the Caucasus at the international modeling competition in Alicante, Spain.

In the spring of 2015, Shaghig’s Lebanese-Armenian friend, Stephanie Sanosian suggested joining forces and carrying out the “Live-love-word” and “Live-love-braslet” international programs aimed at presenting the historical and cultural values and nature of any country via the Internet (Facebook, Instagram). According to Shaghig, these programs will help develop tourism. Today, she and another Syrian-Armenian friend, Sari Byuzandian are carrying out the “Live-love Armenia” project on a social network and already have 16,000 supporters. In fact, Armenia was also presented through the “Live-love-word” international program for a week.

Shaghig Rastgelenian has also decided to help and is helping Syrian-Armenian and local disadvantaged families through her charity program. She and her small group donated all proceeds from bracelet sales to a family of Syrian-Armenians reprocessing wool. The family used the reprocessed wool to make hats and scarves. According to Shaghig, she and her group had also decided to donate the hats and scarves to children staying at the Fridtjof Nansen Orphanage in Gyumri, and that’s exactly what they did.

Shaghig’s charity program doesn’t end there. Along with the volunteers of the group that is gradually growing, Shaghig has decided to clean and renovate any school or any ancient and abandoned church.

“If you think about it, there’s a lot to do. All you need is the will and desire, and you can move mountains. If only we can engage university students by explaining how the importance of those programs and their significance in terms of humanitarianism.”

Shaghig had heard and read a lot about Armenia and had always dreamed of seeing her homeland. It might have been ‘cruel’, but Shaghig’s destiny helped her turn her dream into a reality.

“Now that I have seen Armenia and am living here, I don’t want any Armenian to leave. I want all Armenians to find a job that is close to their heart and become attached to their native land. I definitely feel powerful on this land. Armenia became “the cradle” for my successes,” Shaghig said before bidding farewell.

Anush Nersisyan