Pete Torola's Homeless Page

This is from Evelyn Helminen who is in the Peace Corps in  Armenia.    Several members hiked over 200 miles this summer, half from the south northwards (from the Iranian border), and several from the northern border, near Georgia.  She was on the team from the north.  This t-shirt shows the map, and their stops along the way.

This is the whole team, Evelyn is 3rd from top right.  The team met in a central town in Armenia, 3 weeks from the beginning of their hike.  They stayed with other volunteers along the way, or camped out in tents.  During their hike, they taught  interactive workshops for children and community members about reducing waste, maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise,  and avoiding cigarettes and alcohol.  Over the course of 3 wks, they  taught over 800 kids in 18 towns and villages.  A lot of Armenians invited them in for coffee, gave them  bags of cherries and apricots, and/or honked at them when they were driving by.  Most didn't understand why they would do this crazy hike, but once they explained their mission,  they supported what the team were doing.

An Armenian girl trying out Evelyn's backpack.

A beautiful field of wildflowers

A puppy the team rescued

This is Evelyn's team, she is in the blue shirt

Cousins from the Kangas clan.  My father  Reino Kangas was uncle Wes's brother, and Aili Anttila was his sister.
Beatrice Bekkala, Vivian Huotari, my brother Jerry Kangas, Uncle Wes Kangas (91 yrs., and only sibling left), me, (oh, well) & Anna Anttila