November 2012 The U.S. Embassy Regional Refugee Coordinator Mr. Joshua Fishel paid a visit to CHCA's Zugdidi office On November the 26th, the U.S. Embassy Regional Refugee Coordinator, Mr. Joshua Fishel, paid a visit to CHCA's Zugdidi office. He visited the IDP Vocational Training and Service
IN THIS ISSUE: Meetings between the Homeowners’ and Tenants’ Associations and the Government representatives Business loan recipients are already successfully running their business activities The Deputy Minister of Accommodation and Refugees of Georgia and the Gori Majority Deputy visited CHCA’s Zugdidi office “Mobile Library” in Shida Kartli IDP settlements National Food Festival in Khurcha CHCA participated in a conference organized by the “EveryChild”
Centre (VTSC) which operates from the Zugdidi office, saw the vocational training workshops first-hand, and spoke with the VTSC trainers and apprentices about the importance and achievements of the project, the value of the employment competition existing within their communities and their future plans.
“Thanks to CHCA I became more self-confident and acquired new profession”
Youth Civic Partnership Initiative CHCA Zugdidi office has received EVS accreditation but also how to work in a group, this has made me more self-confident and determined. I want to thank CHCA for giving me the opportunity to become more confident in myself and to master a new profession.”
Developing Homely Environments in Small Group Homes
35 year old Maia Mikava is one of the most motivated beneficiaries of VTSC. She is an IDP from Abkhazia and currently lives in Zugdidi. She is currently mastering tailoring skills at the centre.
The Project – “Developing Homely Environments in Small Group Homes” implemented by CHCA over the last 7 months, with the financial support of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Tbilisi, was accomplished in November. In the frames of the project a total of 14 Small Group Homes were assisted within Tbilisi. They were provided with various equipment and rehabilitation works were also carried out in a number of homes. The procurement and works were based on the requirements ascertained from the research carried out at the beginning of the project. In turn, this will contribute to the operational capacity and function of the Small Group Homes.
“I think that this project is very important and timely for us. There are a few organizations and projects in our city supporting IDP integration and employment processes. During the studies I have learnt not only the craft,
After completing the rehabilitation works representatives of CHCA and the Polish Embassy will pay a visit to the Small Group Homes for monitoring and evaluation of the works carried out.
The project “IDP Vocational Training and Service Centre” being implemented by CHCA with the financial support of UNHCR has many successful beneficiaries, who master new professional skills, gain employment and a stable income with the help of the centre.
Maia Mikava
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Meetings between the Homeowners’ and Tenants’ Associations and the Government representatives On November the 20th a meeting was held in the meeting room of Senaki Municipality Gamgeoba building in the frames of the project – “Developing and Maintaining Homeowners’ and Tenants’ Associations for Internally Displaced Persons”. The meeting was attended by the chairmen of the Homeowners’ Associations, representatives of CHCA, Chemonics, Senaki Municipality Gamgeoba, The Division of Social and IDP Issues of Senaki Municipality and the Regional Division of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied territories, Accommodation and Refugees of Georgia. The aim of the meeting was to introduce the local government representatives to the activities implemented in the frames of the project, the problems existing in their buildings and to discuss ways to solve these issues with the participation of both parties. The meeting participants discussed the problematic issues presented by the Homeowners’ Associations, and the Municipality representatives promised to support the associations in the solution process of the existing problems. At the end of the meeting it was agreed to hold a similar meeting in the near future to present the results of the implemented activities to date.
Business loan recipients are already successfully running their business activities In the frames of the project – “Income Generation and Business Support Initiative”, which aims at supporting the IDP and other vulnerable populations in starting and further expanding their business activities, a total of 129 interest-free loans have been issued, to various categories of loan recipients, to date. The majority of the beneficiaries are already successfully running their business activities along with the Maintenance Teams who have also been operating successfully. One of these teams (consisting of 4 members) was established in one of the IDP collective centers in Rustavi and, in the frames of the CHCA ongoing project - “Developing and Maintaining Homeowners’ and Tenants’ Associations for Internally Displaced Persons”, was provided with the necessary professional toolkits in order to implement their activities.
The business idea of this maintenance team was to provide various services, on call. The decision of the Loan Committee was approved and they were provided with an interest-free loan of 2000 Euros. With the help of this amount they purchased a vehicle and are currently actively working, offering various kinds of craft services to the populations whom they support.
The Deputy Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees of Georgia and the Gori Majority Deputy visited CHCA's Zugdidi office On November the 16 th , the Deputy Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees of Georgia – Mr. Mamuka Tsotniashvili, and the Gori Majority Deputy – Mr. Soso Vakhtangishvili paid a visit to CHCA's Zugdidi office. The visitors were introduced with the organization’s ongoing activities; they visited the “IDP Vocational Training and Service Centre” operating at CHCA Zugdidi office and saw the vocational training workshops. The visitors also spoke with the VTSC trainers and the beneficiaries and discussed the existing problematic issues, and possible ways for their solution in the future, together with them.
“Mobile Library” in Shida Kartli IDP settlements The project – “Mobile Library” – was accomplished in November. The project was implemented in 3 IDP settlements of Shida Kartli region: Karaleti, Skra and Berbuki with the donation of Ms. Tarja Rantala from Finland. The minibus was equipped with a variety of books and board games and visited the settlements on weekends. The children and youth therefore had the opportunity to read books of their interest and participate in different educational and entertainment activities, all aimed at raising their level of education and supporting their personal development in remote settlements.
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Small Group Homes’ service providers and various international organizations. The conference was aimed towards providing a forum for the exchanging of information and experiences among the attendees.
National Food Festival in Khurcha
Youth Civic Partnership Initiative
On the 25 th of November, with the financial support of the Microfinance Organization “Crystal”, and with the help of CHCA, and “Peaceful and Business Caucasus” a National Food Festival was organized in Khurcha. It was an event with a lot of food to sample from Abkhazia, South Ossetia and various other regions of Georgia and included some of the ethnic minority groups living in the country. There were also dance displays, a group of singers and local handicrafts to purchase.
In the frames of the project – “Youth Civic Partnership Initiative”, the youth working groups continue to work actively in the project target cities of Poti and Tskaltubo.
In attendance were representatives of local and international organizations and also the Government of Georgia. The event was aimed at supporting friendly and peaceful relationships and environments amongst Georgian populations
On November the 22 nd a training covering the topic of “Rights of Persons with Fewer Opportunities” was delivered to Tskaltubo youth working group members. The training was provided by a lawyer for GYLA’s Kutaisi Office who introduced the participants to the rights of persons with fewer opportunities and the laws and conventions on their social security. At the end of the training the participants were provided with various brochures and books on the topic of human rights protection.
of different ethnic origins.
CHCA participated in a conference on the topic of “Developing Small Group Homes’ Services; Main Achievements and Challenges” CHCA staff participated in a conference organized by the "EveryChild" organization which was held at the Ambassador Hotel in Tbilisi. The core discussion topic of the conference was “Developing Small Group Homes’ Services; Main Achievements and Challenges”. A representative from CHCA was invited to provide a presentation at the conference, on the topic of “Cooperation between the Small Group Homes’ employees and state social workers in the child and family case management process”. Attendees at the conference included representatives from the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, the
In Poti the youngsters work in the direction of solving the problematic issue, selected by them, of the creation of a Movie Club. Public School #7 will allocate a room for the club, which will be equipped and arranged as a Movie Club, within the mini projects’ budget.
Tskaltubo youth working group members have also met with the representatives of the Health Department of the City Hall to introduce them to the idea of assisting children with fewer opportunities. The City Hall representatives expressed their willingness to support the initiative.
CHCA Zugdidi office has received EVS accreditation After years of successful experience hosting EVS volunteers at CHCA’s Tbilisi office the organization was successful in gaining accreditation for the Zugdidi offices in November, while Gori was accredited earlier in the year. CHCA now has the opportunity to host multiple volunteers in locations across Georgia and will continue and expand its volunteering opportunities.
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