What is the project?
To raise $7,000, to run a computer
classroom for a year.
We have built the classroom.
We need to run it.
The donations are for the cost of the IT teacher, IT support and
maintenance, building maintenance, fuel for the winter, electricity.
Who are we?
A group of professionals, living and working in the country
of Georgia. We manage this project on a totally voluntary basis.
Where is it?
A
community of 15,000 people in the remote Pankisi Valley of Georgia, an ex
Soviet Republic in the Caucasus Mountains.
Why this project?
To
stabilize a region that was once famous for only lawlessness, kidnapping,
weapons, drug running and a rise of Islamic extremism. The regions is still
isolated. Our original English language education project is highly successful.
Computer education is crucial for the children to breakout out and discover the
world. We cannot take them beyond their country, but we can bring the world to
them.
Why now?
The chaos that followed the collapse of
the Soviet Union produced a newly independent Georgia but the country soon
collapsed into a failed state. This was taken advantage of by financial and
political opportunists, leaving the vulnerable population unable to maintain
social order.
We focus on the young 11, 12 and
13-year-old students, teaching social and academic skills to build a stronger
society. The opportunity to learn English furthers their education, breaks them out of their physical and social isolation and gives them a larger view of
the outside world. The programme has already given the children confidence in
themselves.
Why us?
We have been living and working in the
area for a number of years and have only local teachers who we hire and
train. Our education programme is highly regarded. It’s progress is monitored
and evaluated by Telavi University English language faculty and all
examinations are conducted through the Soros Foundation headquarters in
Tbilisi, Georgia by internationally qualified examiners.
International instructors at the American
Academy of Tbilisi train the teachers at their summer language school. The families in the Pankisi know us and
our programme. They have confidence in us because they see the work reflected
in their children, who are our greatest ambassadors.
Attention: The photos used in this presentation;
are from the generous hand and brilliant eye of Joe Harrison our super energetic volunteer. He is in Duisi now working on the online newspaper with the kids. His loving photos will be soon available as postcards.
Late update.
Here is a link to a small video featuring the wonderful Estonians who built the lab on their weekends.
http://vimeo.com/16724574
and a fun video of the annual bareback horserace. A true classic to rival the Kentucky Derby.
http://vimeo.com/16828449
Watch, enjoy and donate.
Vladimir.
