New skills open doors for Georgia’s displaced
The course was offered to females in each of the nine centres.
SCCs were established three months ago to help empower people living within the new settlements established by the Georgian government and following conflict between Russia and Georgia more than a year ago. More than 20,000 people here struggle with difficult living conditions, unemployment and social and financial difficulties. A sense of hopelessness among the displaced can quickly prevail.
Now I am able to make a bead necklace. I plan to continue this work and attempt to earn some income by producing them That is why this kind of training offered through the SCCs is so key. Lizi Mamilashvili, a local designer and director of the Art school in Gori, conducted the training for the attendees and commented:
”The lessons were quite overwhelming but entertaining,” said the designer “All the participants expressed a huge interest at the training. Females regardless of their age were able to learn knitting, working with wood and clay, making handicrafts using beads and velvet.”
“The exhibition was a wonderful opportunity for the women to present their handmade souvenirs and accessories and get an incentive for working further on developing and making good use of their handicraft skills”, said Irina Sigua, SCC Project Manager.
Mari Mchedlidze, 25, from Teliani village attended all four days of training, having been interested in making handicrafts since her childhood. Focused on working with beads, now she considers continuing this work on her own.
“I want to express my thanks to World Vision for giving us the chance to make handicrafts from a professional,” Mari said “Now I am able to make a bead necklace. I plan to continue this work and attempt to earn some income by producing them.”
Male IDPs were also given the chance to come together and share some healthy competition through a backgammon competition Makhdiashvili Valeriani, 63, recently living in the Khurvaleti settlement, was one the finalists.
“I won four games over other participants and passed to the finale, said Valeriani, “Despite that I occupied a second place the competition was really entertaining and relaxing for me. For a few hours I could forget all my worries about my peaceful life that I lost because of the war.”
Nine SCCs have to date assisted up to 5,700 IDPs living in the new settlements by holding various activities and training aimed at community mobilisation, integration and empowerment World Vision also helped youth from the different SCCs to come together and form closer relationships. Eight settlements participated in the football championship held at Gori Stadium and the winning teams (Shavshvebi - I place and Khurvaleti II place) were awarded mini football tables.
Nine SCCs have to date assisted up to 5,700 IDPs living in the new settlements by holding various activities and training aimed at community mobilisation, integration and empowerment.
The ‘Empowerment & Integration project’ is now transitioning to the Community Technology Access (CTA) project aimed at improving access to education and livelihoods through computer literacy, distance learning, vocational training, creation of income-generating activities and enhancing entrepreneurial skills. Technology Access Centres will be arranged at the nine SCCs and will benefit nearly 3,500 people.
The creation of the SCCs is a continuation of World Vision’s ongoing work to help the people and communities affected by the 2008 August conflict.
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SCCs were established three months ago to help empower people living within the new settlements established by the Georgian government and following conflict between Russia and Georgia more than a year ago. More than 20,000 people here struggle with difficult living conditions, unemployment and social and financial difficulties. A sense of hopelessness among the displaced can quickly prevail.
Now I am able to make a bead necklace. I plan to continue this work and attempt to earn some income by producing them That is why this kind of training offered through the SCCs is so key. Lizi Mamilashvili, a local designer and director of the Art school in Gori, conducted the training for the attendees and commented:
”The lessons were quite overwhelming but entertaining,” said the designer “All the participants expressed a huge interest at the training. Females regardless of their age were able to learn knitting, working with wood and clay, making handicrafts using beads and velvet.”
“The exhibition was a wonderful opportunity for the women to present their handmade souvenirs and accessories and get an incentive for working further on developing and making good use of their handicraft skills”, said Irina Sigua, SCC Project Manager.
Mari Mchedlidze, 25, from Teliani village attended all four days of training, having been interested in making handicrafts since her childhood. Focused on working with beads, now she considers continuing this work on her own.
“I want to express my thanks to World Vision for giving us the chance to make handicrafts from a professional,” Mari said “Now I am able to make a bead necklace. I plan to continue this work and attempt to earn some income by producing them.”
Male IDPs were also given the chance to come together and share some healthy competition through a backgammon competition Makhdiashvili Valeriani, 63, recently living in the Khurvaleti settlement, was one the finalists.
“I won four games over other participants and passed to the finale, said Valeriani, “Despite that I occupied a second place the competition was really entertaining and relaxing for me. For a few hours I could forget all my worries about my peaceful life that I lost because of the war.”
Nine SCCs have to date assisted up to 5,700 IDPs living in the new settlements by holding various activities and training aimed at community mobilisation, integration and empowerment World Vision also helped youth from the different SCCs to come together and form closer relationships. Eight settlements participated in the football championship held at Gori Stadium and the winning teams (Shavshvebi - I place and Khurvaleti II place) were awarded mini football tables.
Nine SCCs have to date assisted up to 5,700 IDPs living in the new settlements by holding various activities and training aimed at community mobilisation, integration and empowerment.
The ‘Empowerment & Integration project’ is now transitioning to the Community Technology Access (CTA) project aimed at improving access to education and livelihoods through computer literacy, distance learning, vocational training, creation of income-generating activities and enhancing entrepreneurial skills. Technology Access Centres will be arranged at the nine SCCs and will benefit nearly 3,500 people.
The creation of the SCCs is a continuation of World Vision’s ongoing work to help the people and communities affected by the 2008 August conflict.
-Ends-
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