Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Aimmee Kodachian H.c.. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Dr. Aimmee thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
The story behind my vision for the Tears of Hope Movement is deeply personal, born from my experiences as a 12-year-old girl enduring the horrors of the Lebanese Civil War. I witnessed the tragic death of my older brother and hero, Robert, in a bombing, and the war tore my family apart, leaving us homeless.
With nowhere to go, my parents placed me and my younger brother in a run-down boarding school in the mountains, hoping to provide us with some shelter and safety. As the war raged on, the roads were shut down, cutting us off from water, electricity, food, and any contact with my family. Stranded and isolated, I spent nights on the balcony, watching bombs fall on the city, fearing I would never see my family again.
I found myself responsible for raising my six-year-old brother, and together, we were left to survive against all odds.
Amidst this darkness, I experienced what I call the “Divine Miracle Light”—a profound moment of hope and faith that guided me through my most challenging times.
My brother and I were fortunate to be reunited with our family, but the war had left us financially unstable, and I realized I had lost much more than just my brother. The war not only took my hero, but it also tore my family apart. My mother, emotionally and mentally shattered, could no longer care for me. With no hope of returning to school due to the war and my severe dyslexia, my mother persuaded me to marry just three days after my 14th birthday. However, I was not welcomed into my in-laws’ home. By the age of 15, I became a mother to a beautiful daughter, and less than a year later, I lost my baby boy just 24 hours after his birth due to stress and a lack of nurturing during my pregnancy.
Soon after, I found myself a single mother, still a teenager, with no skills, education, or money. I had to return to my family, who couldn’t take care of me in the first place. I faced an unforgiving society as a divorced woman. Over the course of the 13-year war, I endured multiple family losses and narrowly escaped death three times.
In 1988, I came to the United States seeking a better life. I had less than $200 and a 10-year-old daughter to raise. I didn’t speak English and had no skills. Many told me I would never make it and should return to my country, but I knew something greater was waiting for me. With determination, persistence, and faith in God, I survived to fulfill my inner destiny.
These painful war experiences forged in me a deep resolve to make a difference, particularly for children who, like me, have endured the horrors of war. This mission drives the Tears of Hope Movement, which gives a voice to innocent children whose voices were stolen by the devastation of war. Through the movement, I bring awareness to their plight by sharing my story in my book Tears of Hope: My Miraculous Journey of Faith, Courage, and Survival and its accompanying anthem—an extraordinary creation involving over 70 musicians, including Grammy winners and a beautiful children’s choir, delivering the powerful message of my 12-year-old self.
This journey of pain, perseverance, and faith has become my mission: to be a voice for the voiceless, bring awareness to innocent children’s suffering, and offer them hope. That is the heart of the Tears of Hope Movement—transforming my personal story into a global impact and change message.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
As I shared earlier, my journey into humanitarianism and empowerment stems from a deeply personal mission shaped by tragedy, survival, and faith. Growing up during the Lebanese Civil War, I experienced unimaginable loss—witnessing the death of my brother, Robert, and taking on the responsibility of caring for my younger brother in the midst of chaos. Surviving 13 years of war and enduring a harsh journey led me to realize the profound need for emotional resilience, hope, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
What sets me apart in my work today is my unwavering belief that true healing begins with addressing the emotional and spiritual wounds of those who have endured hardship. This conviction led to the creation of the Tears of Hope Movement, which focuses on emotionally supporting children affected by war. While many organizations provide food and shelter, we give these children a simple yet powerful gift: a teddy bear, blanket, and pillow—items that bring comfort and hope to their hearts. I feel a deep connection to this mission because I once longed to offer such comfort to my own brother during the bombings.
In addition to the Tears of Hope Movement, I founded EmpoweringHumanity.net, a platform that brings together leading experts to share knowledge, wisdom, and transformative life experiences. It includes a TV show, magazine, and academy, all aimed at inspiring personal growth and empowering individuals to thrive in a chaotic world. My platform is built on the belief that through education, inspiration, and life-transformational programs, we can uplift and inspire people to rise above adversity.
What I am most proud of is not the awards or accolades I’ve received, but the fact that my story can serve as an example for those who feel they have no hope or opportunities. I want to show others that if I could overcome the obstacles I faced, they can too. While I have been honored with two global awards and an honorary doctorate in humanitarianism, I accept these as blessings from God, meant to inspire others to see their own potential. My journey isn’t about recognition—it’s about showing others that no matter how difficult the path, they too can find strength, purpose, and success.
The challenges I’ve overcome—such as severe dyslexia, a fourth-grade education, and the trauma of war—have shaped me into who I am today. What truly sets me apart is my faith in God and my ability to follow His guidance in everything I do. Despite the hardships, I never gave up on my dream of making an impact. Today, my mission is to help others rise above their own challenges, empowering them to realize their potential and thrive.
I believe that ‘Giving is living.’ Whether through the Tears of Hope Movement’s efforts to comfort children or the wisdom shared through Empowering Humanity, the essence of my work is rooted in giving—whether it’s material, emotional, or spiritual support. Sometimes, the smallest act—a smile, a kind gesture, or simply paying attention to someone—can make the most profound difference.
For those learning about my work for the first time, my focus is on nurturing the emotional well-being of the next generation. I believe that uplifting children and supporting their growth lay the foundation for a more peaceful and compassionate world. Small acts of kindness and care can spark lasting change.
To learn more about my mission and work, please visit TearsOfHopeMovement.com or EmpoweringHumanity.net.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My creative journey is driven by a deeply personal mission: to uplift humanity and bring hope to those who have endured unimaginable hardship, especially children affected by war. Losing my older brother, Robert, in front of my eyes to a bomb as a child left an indelible mark on my heart. It gave me a profound sense of responsibility to be a voice for those who have lost theirs and to offer healing and comfort to innocent victims of conflict.
Surviving 13 years of war, enduring the loss of loved ones, and facing overwhelming challenges shaped my unwavering resolve to make a difference in the world. Through the Tears of Hope Movement, my book, and the accompanying anthem, I aim to raise awareness, inspire personal growth, and provide emotional support to children scarred by the horrors of war.
At the heart of my mission is the belief that peace begins with the next generation. By nurturing their emotional well-being, we create a foundation for a more compassionate and united world. My goal is to bring like-minded people together to help raise the world’s consciousness so that we can replace war with peace and harmony.
Additionally, I want my book to reach as many people as possible, as it raises awareness and helps provide children with the emotional support they desperately need. When I began writing, I knew the book was meant to serve the children, not for my personal benefit. I have pledged 100% of the net profit to support these children—because this is about giving them hope and healing. The book is for them.
Everything I create is aligned with my goal of uplifting humanity and reminding others that hope and healing are always possible, no matter how dark the circumstances.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I’ve had several pivotal moments in both my life and business, but two stand out as the most significant.
Life Pivot: One of the most profound pivots in my life occurred in 1988 when I made the bold decision to leave my war-torn country and come to the United States with my 10-year-old daughter. At the time, I didn’t speak English, and I had less than $200 to my name. Many people told me I would never make it, but deep down, I believed something greater was waiting for me. I had no formal skills or a clear plan, but I chose to turn my fear into faith, taking things one step at a time.
This pivot changed the course of my life. I didn’t allow myself the luxury of a Plan B. I focused on learning the language and building a life from the ground up, knowing that the journey ahead would be full of challenges. Through it all, I relied on the tiny light I saw at the end of the tunnel and used the techniques I had developed while surviving war: surrendering to faith and trusting that I would be guided.
Many people misunderstand surrender as a sign of weakness, but I’ve come to know that surrendering to God is a profound source of strength. By surrendering, I wasn’t giving up—I was trusting the light to guide me through the darkness. Keeping my faith strong, I trusted that God would guide me on this new path, just as He had during the hardest times of my life.
This pivot also helped me transform my experiences of surviving war into a mission to help others. I authored Tears of Hope: My Miraculous Journey of Faith, Courage, and Survival, along with its accompanying anthem, to raise awareness and give a voice to those whose voices were stolen by the horrors of war. I launched the Tears of Hope Movement to support children affected by war. This journey taught me the true power of resilience, faith, and surrender.
Business Pivot: In my business, one of the most significant pivots came when I was hosting a TV talk show on Armenian Channel 33 in Las Vegas. I had plans to expand the show from the studio to a live audience and create a space for the community to grow their businesses. But just as momentum was building, the pandemic hit, and I had to stop production.
At that moment, I was faced with two choices: shut the business down or pivot. I chose to pivot. Instead of halting my mission, I used the time at home to launch an online Academy and Empowering Humanity Magazine™, providing educational and transformational content from top experts in their fields. This shift allowed me to continue my work of empowering humanity in new and impactful ways, despite the challenges the pandemic brought.
Wisdom from these Pivots: Both of these pivotal moments have taught me that, while we cannot control the circumstances life throws at us, we can control how we respond. Whether it’s starting over in a new country or finding new ways to serve when business plans change, the key is faith, resilience, and a willingness to surrender to a higher purpose.
The true strength lies in trusting that even in the darkest times, we are being guided. And when we align our journey with service and faith, we not only overcome challenges but also turn them into opportunities to inspire and uplift others.
Contact Info:
- Website: TearsofhopeMovement.com and EmpoweringHumanity.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aimmeekodachian/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meetAimmeeKodachian/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimmeek/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/aimmeekodachian
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/EmpoweringYourSoul
Image Credits
Monique Mansfield. Mansfield Media
Jessica Vargas, PicMe Photobooth)