Georgia | Recent Update from the Field

As educational reform at secondary schools is general situation throughout Georgia, a decision was made to organize training for Christian gymnasiums and special schools from different part of Georgia in Tbilisi. Training was held in June 29 in the Theological Academy building, with 35 participants attending from various dioceses of Georgia. The session was very interesting, lots of ideas and concerns exchanged.

Distribution of books is done during training sessions, where the books are given to the teachers for free. Afterwards they submit their demand (the number they need for classes) and are buying them. Distribution of books in religious shops has started.

During the trainings in different parts of Georgia it was encountered the fact that there was few or no Sunday schools around. As YBC books are specially designed for Sunday schools (i.e. the explanation of church services, prayers, creating special religious atmosphere for children, etc.), the idea came to assist in opening such schools. We had 2 goals in mind: 1) to have those schools opened, to assist those who desired to do this work but had not enough funds for it; 2) observe the educational process and see how the books work. (It is necessary for us while preparing stories about the children, to trace what changes the children undergo, etc.).

To develop the idea and prepare budget, we contacted the people whom we met during our training sessions. These were the ones who were specially dedicated to this kind of work, who loved children and wanted them to know more about God. So we invited them to Tbilisi and had meetings.

Finally we identified the needs, developed the budget and submitted it for approval. In all the given cases, the church provided the schools with space, also voluntary teachers were distinguished from parishes and approved by bishops.  We proposed to assist them with tables and chairs, whiteboards, stationery, Bibles and Gospels, one Biblical encyclopedia etc, and with YBC books, what is the most important. So with mutual effort we assisted in opening of 6 schools in regions: in Sachkhere, Akhalgori, Lentekhi, Tsageri, Telavi. In Chiatura Sunday school needed only books and stationery.