Georgia Association of University Women

Weekend School for Girls

The break-up of the former Soviet Union in the early 1990's resulted in radical political, social and economic changes in the Caucasus region.  The armed conflict between Georgia, Russia and the autonomous break-away territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia resulted in many people being displaced.

This project is based at the "Bakhtrioni Hotel" in Tblisi, a building housing some 1000 refugees from Abkhazia.  In some cases as many as 7 people share one room.  Conditions are crowded and families struggle to find money for food and clothes for their children.  Many children are depressed, show signs of stress or have psychological problems and many do not attend school for fear of persecution. 

The project will help 40 displaced girls from Abkhazia, aged 12-17, who live in the hotel.  It aims to ease the symptoms of stress and depression and encourage valuable learning experiences.  A first floor room, renoved by the Red Cross will be used as the school room at weekends and displaced teachers (also resident in the hotel) will give the classes.  The girls will learn computer skills, English language, music, drawing, handicrafts and will be given lessons in photography and video making.  The Georgian Association of University Women will be helping with implementation and evaluation of this project.  They will be helped by the Rustaveli Society and a committee of parents and psychologists, doctors and other specialists.