The Grapevine IWAG Newsletter June 2024 by iwageorgia

WELCOME!

by Maria Fischer

Dear members,

Welcome - 1

CPC Update - 2 - 5

Summer Lunch - 6

Interest Groups - 7 - 9

From our members - 12 & 13

Environmental - 14

Fundraising - 15 & 16

Sponsors - 17 & 18

How to get in touch - 19

In this issue, enjoy the narrative of our end-of-season Summer Lunch. All of us wore something “yellow,” which appreciably enhanced our summer and friendship themes. Everyone who attended also received a fragrant yellow rose.

We would like to thank our Board and Executive members and all of our wonderful volunteers, who together helped make this a memorable and charming afternoon the ideal way to start our summer holidays. A very special thank-you also goes to the Republica Team, who provided us with perfect service and delicious food, and fulfilled all of our requests.

Another captivating and in-depth story will introduce you to the invigorating Austrian Team who helped propell one of our largest CPC projects to new successful heights. There are also two introductions of very special IWA members.

We wish you a relaxing and fulfilling summertime, wherever you will spend it, and look forward to seeing you back in September for a new season of many engaging offerings.

Eva Wakalopulos’ Incredible Journey Supporting Toliskuri Day Care Center

By Kelly Chaib

IWA has evolved since its formation in 1996, and its level of organization has allowed for the execution of an ambitious charity project to support Toliskuri, an Education and Development Center for children with disabilities in Khobi. Everything began in 2022 when Mette Hartzell, the wife of the former EU Ambassador and a co-chair at CPC at that time, ordered dry fruits from Chirige, the Social Enterprise run by the Center.

After the first mission to Georgia of Eva Wakalopulos, an officer from the Vorarlberg Police Department, to cooperate with the National Police, she was eager to donate resources to a specific cause in the Country. That’s one of the reasons why Sara Kemecsei, our Fundraising Chair, made the necessary adjustments to allow donors to choose specific projects to support

With the determined support of the 2022 IWA Board, especially our founder Nana Dvali, thenpresident Johanna Muehlmann and CPC Chair Margret Schmidt, all kinds of administrative challenges have been overcome to support the Toliskuri ambitious projects that Eva decided to help.

This includes the purchase of a house so that the Center could provide services to more than 50 children with disabilities from seven villages and the donation of 13,000 euros for physical treatment equipment and other needed items required to make the new house accessible to the children.

Now, in the first week of June, our Austrian partners donated a VW minibus, adapted for transporting wheelchairs, to allow the Toliskuri Center to pick up and return the children from their homes. Eva and her friend Roland Stemer brought the minibus from Vorarlberg, Austria, to Khobi, Georgia, in early June. Their trip took six days and covered 3,529 km, spanning eight countries on two continents.

During their stay in Tbilisi, Eva and Roland joined us at the GBM, where they shared with the Grapevine all the details of their exciting journey:

Kelly Chaib: Eva, Could you share a bit about your role in the Austrian Police and the operation that initially brought you to Georgia?

Eva Wakalopulos: I have been working for the Austrian police for 25 years, primarily in my province's Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Austria has nine provinces, and I am based in Vorarlberg, the westernmost one, where I am responsible for property and organized crime We coordinate with the relevant country authorities when dealing with international crime groups. In this specific case, we were tracking four men involved in burglaries. DNA evidence led us to the suspects, and this necessitated our visit to Georgia to conduct interrogations and house searches

Eva Wakalopulos’ Incredible Journey

KC: What motivated you to support the Education and Development Centre "Toliskuri" in Khobi - Georgia?

EW: We contacted the Austrian police attaché in Georgia, who serves as our liaison During our mission, he hosted a dinner at his residence, to which Margaret was invited. At that dinner, I learned about IWA and its charity activities. Margaret shared her passion for the cause, and I could see the enthusiasm in her eyes Her story resonated with me deeply, much like someone teasing a cobra it was truly touching. Feeling inspired, I offered to help and mentioned that I could support from my province. Subsequently, IWA presented me with four projects to choose from, including the project in Khobi.

KC: How did you movilise the Vorarlberg Police Department?

EW: After my mission, I returned to Georgia with some friends, and IWA took me to the Khobi project. I met the children at the Toliskuri center and visited their families. With their stories and pictures, we designed the initiative "The Police from Vorarlberg and Their Families and Friends" and created presentations and a homepage (https://projekt-georgien.weebly.com/) to share with people in Austria.

This allowed us to show the faces and names of those who would benefit from the donations, making fundraising more personal and effective.

I could use the internal police email system to spread the word about the project. We shared the homepage with all the police officers in my province. During several official meetings, I was allowed to give presentations about the fundraising efforts. Additionally, when friends of mine had significant birthday parties, they requested their guests to give donations to the project instead of gifts. Just at one such event, we raised around 3,000 euros.

KC: How did you come up with the idea of adapting a wheelchair-accessible minibus and transporting it from Vorarlberg, Austria, to Khobi, Georgia?

EW: While monitoring the adaptations of the house in Khobi, Margaret showed me a list of needed items At the top of the list was a car for the children. She mentioned that IWA didn’t have the means to directly support the purchase of cars or loans. So, I decided to see if I could find a solution in my area.

Eva Wakalopulos’ Incredible Journey

Initially thought of getting a car with a ramp, like an ambulance, but those are in high demand and consequently very expensive. A friend suggested looking for a big car and then making the ramp ourselves.

Roland had inquired about acquiring a car for our cause. Luckily, his friend's workplace was refurbishing its vehicles, and the company owner generously donated one of the used minibuses. Then, I sought advice from the police mechanic, who, along with his metalworker friend, helped to repair the car and install the ramp.

With these generous individuals' support, we secured a minibus and equipped it with a ramp, ensuring it was ready to help the children. This collaboration and the kindness of strangers were crucial in making the whole project successful

KC: Roland, why did you decide to accompany Eva on this adventure?

Roland Stemer: She showed me the pictures and told me the children's and their families' stories. Her excitement and enthusiasm about the project were contagious, so I decided to support the cause. Additionally, I looked forward to the adventure on the road and the chance to witness the incredible country and people that Eva was engaged with

KC: Can you describe the journey taking the minibus here?

EW: We arrived on the sixth day of our journey, having booked everything in advance to ensure we always had a clear destination The longest leg of our trip was about 730 KM, and the shortest was around 400 KM. Our first stop was near Zagreb in Croatia, followed by a stop near Niš in Serbia, and then a little before Istanbul in Turkey. In Turkey, we spent a total of three nights

RS: In Bulgaria, we had a breakdown. The car's alternator gave out, signaling that the battery was losing charge. We debated whether to push through to Turkey and seek help there or to stop earlier since we were close to the border. Ultimately, we decided to stop in Bulgaria, since there we still have the EU services. We found a service area on the highway with a petrol station, turned off the engine, and tried to restart it, but it was completely dead.

We called the Austrian insurance that provides assistance abroad. Within 30 minutes, a tow truck arrived, picked us up, and took us to a workshop. Despite the language barrier, we managed to communicate and get the help we needed. About four hours later, we were back on the road.

Eva Wakalopulos’ Incredible Journey

KC: Can you share any memorable moments during the journey?

RS: The whole trip was fascinating, with diverse landscapes and unique experiences at every stop. Each part of the journey brought its own memorable moments, making it hard to pinpoint just one highlight. It was all a big adventure.

KC: What lessons have you learned from this experience?

EW: I can explain the two main reasons why I'm so committed to this project with Margret. First, the hospitality and warmth of the country and its people. In some cases we can learn a thing or two from them

Second, thanks to IWA and Margaret, I have confidence that every euro we collect in Austria goes directly to the people in need. No middleman is taking a cut. I feel safe doing this because I vouch for the project in my province with my name and face It's important to me that I can guarantee to my friends and colleagues that their donations reach the intended place.

KC: Eva, are you planning to continue supporting Toliskuri Center or maybe other IWA projects?

EW: In October, we will come back to follow-up on the project, because I want to show all the people who contributed how their money is being used Many people are interested in coming with me to Georgia, and I'm not sure how I'll manage it all, but I will make it work. We will visit the house, update our homepage, and show everyone what has been accomplished with their support, and we'll see what happens next.

Memories of a Yellow Summer Lunch

By Kelly Chaib

On June 19, IWA Georgia hosted a vibrant and meaningful Summer Lunch at Republica Restaurant & Terraces. The heartfelt thanks extended to the Spring Fair volunteers, the harmonious musical interlude, and the joyous yellow-themed gathering made it an afternoon to remember.

The event was a sea of sunshine as everyone adorned themselves in yellow, symbolizing warmth and friendship. The IWA team took the special occasion to honour and thank the volunteers who supported the Spring Fair during the big day.

The musical performance was the afternoon's highlight, adding a magical touch to the event. Nana Kalandadze and the talented IWA Choir presented a diverse and beautiful repertoire. The performance began with the soulful Georgian hymn 'Shen Khar Venakhi,' setting a serene and heartfelt tone. This was followed by a series of beloved classics that deeply resonated with the audience: The Beatles' 'Yesterday' and 'With a Little Help from My Friends,' John Lennon's iconic 'Imagine,' and, in the voices of our Spanish speaker members, the charming Latin tune 'Alma, Corazón y Vida.' The performance concluded with the nostalgic and patriotic 'Tbiliso,' a tribute to the beautiful city of Tbilisi.

The Summer Lunch celebrated of the IWA's one year accomplishments, marked the end of the work season, sending everyone off with well wishes for the holidays to revitalize for the 2024-2025 ahead

Doing Karate with Elene Rotundu and Ladies

by Kelly Chaib

Elena is a 47-year-old Romanian woman who follows her diplomat husband around the world with their children. She has a background in philology and public relations Elena's love for nature and sports motivated her to establish the IWA Karate Interest Group. In an interview with the Grapevine, she shared all the details about this thrilling sport.

Question: How did you first get involved in karate, and what has your journey been like?

Answer: I started practising Karate by chance three years ago I arrived in Tbilisi on the last days of March during the COVID-19 pandemic, with walking being the only social activity available for us. One day in April, while walking through Vake Park with my family, I heard a man shouting It turned out to be a karate training session for teenagers, I spoke to the instructor, who luckily spoke some English, and asked if he could train my children. Soon, my children started their training, and I joined them for some sessions until the end of the year, when I passed the test for my yellow belt.

Q. What inspired you to start leading the karate interest groups?

A. Training outside is good for the body and spirit. Seeing the benefits, I thought it would be fun for the IWA ladies, especially since IWA was just resuming some in-person meetings that year. I proposed the creation of the Karate interest group, and that’s how we began training together starting 2022. If I remember well, Karate was the only active IWA group for one year after the COVID-19 Pandemic outbreak During these three years, around 30 IWA members aged between 30 and 60 have trained.

Q. How do you accommodate different skill levels within the karate group?

A. The instructor teaches the basics and selfdefence. The group meets once a week, and participation varies as some ladies cannot make it constantly due to personal issues. However, the training is flexible, and anyone can join at any time, regardless of their experience level.

Doing Karate with Elene Rotundu and Ladies

Initially, the training was a bit violent, following the old Soviet-style where they hit trees and each other without protection. I explained to the instructor that the ladies were around my age, some around menopause. Over time, I convinced him to use protection and hit special pillows instead of trees. Gradually, we combined our approaches, and he adapted the harsh parts of karate to a softer variation known as Neko Ryu Karate.

Q. Can you describe a typical session for the karate interest group?

AThe instructor is Kakhaber Markozashvili, who should be in his 60s. He used to be a PhD in Agricultural Sciences, a specialist in wines. He practised full-contact karate since he was young, and due to his multiple injuries, he retired from the sport. Still, he decided to train youngsters.

Classes are attended by around 10-12 members and are held on Fridays from 3:00 to 4:30 pm beside the tennis courts in Vake Park. The training languages are English, Georgian, and sometimes Russian. The difficulty level is manageable, and you burn enough energy to feel better afterwards. The classes cost 15 GEL per session, payable directly to the teacher each time you attend. You only need comfortable clothes to participate.

For those who want to train beyond our Group, the teacher is available in the same spot on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 pm. The instructor accommodates your needs, whether it's additional training or preparation for a belt test.

Q. What are your plans to keep the groups active?

A. The ladies who participated were fun and kind, forming a special bond and becoming good friends. Although I am part of a diplomatic family and will eventually move, I am confident the group will continue because the spirit is strong.

Q What feedback have you received from members of the group?

Usually, IWA ladies who tried our free first lesson join the group. We have a beautiful air of friendship and kinship We became more than classmates, enjoying each other's company. From our desire to share more, we drove the creation of the Culinary Group, where we wanted to share each other's traditional recipes, and the Dance Group, where we aimed to try different dance styles. What started as a desire to keep cholesterol under control while killing bad energies became auto-defence skills and toned muscles.

by Nana Shavtvaladze

Georgian Phrases

www.lsgeorgia.com www.facebook.com/semita.education.space?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Georgian Conversation Interest Group: Meet with Nana Shavtvaladze every other Thursday at 13:00 to work on the basic phrases, main forms, and cultural specifics of each word's function. For more information, contact her on WhatsApp at +995 577454332.

I will be happy to take care of your children and pets (in my apartment or yours) when you are not at home. (for example: you have to leave the country or the city) I prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner for them. I have letters of recommendation from several reliable people.

On Memory and Myself

By Tamriko Tsintsadze

It is so important to train and activate one's memory and brain cells I did so by chance

I researched on African-American literature, history, and culture for decades. I defended two PhD dissertations on this theme, wrote articles and books, delivered lectures at various American universities, and worked as an invited scholar at Columbia University, Center for American Culture Studies (New York), Kennan Institute, and Woodrow Wilson Center (Washington D.C.). I was very interested in my scholarly work. All along the way, I taught English and cultural studies at the Institute of Foreign Languages (Tbilisi).

Then, in 1995, my husband, a group of scholars, and I founded the Diplomatic Academy of Georgia For 15-18 years, I had no time to pursue African-American studies since I was head over ears in educational work as vice president of the Academy, Chair of Languages and Cultural Studies, PR person, designer, and all but an accountant

I felt the desire to put this experience, episodes of my life and some thoughts on paper. As a result, in Fall 2023, my first book of memoirs, "From the Depths of My Memory", was published. Writing the book was an exciting process for me. As if certain channels opened - all the time, various episodes from the past surface in my memory - I had to write ready scenes and images quickly. My memory got so activated it threw them out of its depths. I could not stop. A 400-page book came out of this process. But this was not all. My activated memory continued to bring various episodes and faces from the past to the surface, culminating in a 600-page book, "Confession in the Form of Essays," published in May 2024.

On Memory and Myself

Both times at the presentations of these books, I talked to the audience about the necessity of writing down one's memories, which has many positive outcomes: your family members will know the family story; you will be engaged in an enjoyable and useful process - reevaluating and taking down episodes of your past and present, which extends your lifespan, your conscious and productive years enriches it, gives you a chance to think it over, to reevaluate certain things in your past and present. In the process of active recollection and writing down episodes from your past, you make your brain cells and neurons move faster, be active, come into stronger contact with one another, and retain your brain health and activity. When neurons are less active, they lose strong connection; gaps appear - thus, complication starts.

Lifespan is evaluated not by the number of years one lives but by the number of active years of life, not just passive existence, which cannot be called a conscious, productive life. So my advice to everybody is to read, write your memoirs, paint, make patchwork, or do any handiwork. This will extend your active lifespan and give you the chance to feel and see life in all its beauty and wonderful complexity.

Summer Products Calendar

JUNE

By @gultbili and enthusiasts _ tbilibsi

Loquat Cherry

Raspberry Melon

JULY

Apricot Fig

Blueberry

Watermelon Plum

August

Yellow Cherry Plum

Cornelian Cherry

Blackberry

Celery beetroot

Book Sale: From the Depths of My Memory

100% of proceeds of the book "From the Depths of My Memory" will be donated to IWA CPC.

Information: 400 pp. Hard Cover

Languages: predominantly Georgian, English and Russian.

Self-price - 40 GEL.

Members interested may contact Tamriko Tsintsadze directly on the mobile number: 577 46 10 38.

She would gladly receive you and your guest at her gallery, visit her special Chinese-Japanese, Caucasian, and French collections, take a book and transfer the sum to IWA.