The ordinary meeting of Kutaisi mutual assistance group was devoted to the concept of social activity. The meeting was attended by women from the IDP settlements of Choma and Nikea.
The participants filled out pre- and post-questionnaires on social activity. They already fully understand the definition, essence, purpose and results of this term. During the meeting, the charter of the mutual assistance group was developed.
The most important thing was to identify the problems of the communities. The group must take care to solve these problems.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
A meeting with members of the mutual assistance group was held on Abkhazeti Street in Khoni, in the IDP settlement.
The group members learned about the essence and goals of social activity, how important it is for people to be active in solving their problems.
At the beginning of the meeting, the participants filled out a preliminary test, and after familiarizing themselves with the information provided, a post-test assessing their knowledge and views on social activity.
At the end, the participants familiarized themselves with and accepted the pre-developed charter of the mutual assistance group: general provisions, goals of the group, rules for electing/selecting participants, rights and responsibilities, management structure, frequency of meetings.
They decided to listen to the opinions of community residents - what worries them and what problems they consider a priority within the framework of civil initiatives.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
In Poti, in the IDP settlement, a meeting of mutual assistance group participants was held, where the essence of social activity was discussed, its strengths and weaknesses, community problems and strategies for empowering women were analyzed.
At the beginning of the meeting, the participants were introduced to the concept of social activity - as a tool from individual mutual assistance to collective changes; how active participation in public life contributes to the empowerment of women at the personal and community levels. It was noted that group work, sharing resources and creating support networks are especially important for IDP women, who often face social and economic risks.
Together with the participants, a charter of the mutual assistance group was developed and signed, defining internal rules and principles of work. Pre- and post-questionnaires on social mobilization were also filled out.
The meeting also identified problems: the group participants identified challenges in the IDP settlement and ranked them by priority.
The meeting is important both in terms of individual empowerment and for developing a culture of women's solidarity and care for the community - a process oriented towards social change.
The project is implemented with the support of the UN Women organization
During the ordinary meetings of women's mutual assistance groups, various cases were discussed, problems and improvement of economic conditions were discussed. In Tskaltubo, women are looking for seasonal work (picking blueberries, nuts or work at seaside resorts). Some of them have such experience and recommend it to others, because additional income will solve many needs.
One of the group members in Khobi was given a smart phone, which will simplify the necessary communication for her.
The members of Kobuleti group are especially grateful to our organization, because no one has shown them so much attention.
The meeting with Chokhatauri group was held online. Psychologist of our organization participated in it. According to the participants of the mutual assistance group, the psychologist's useful advice is a serious support for them.
A great incentive for the participants of the meetings is that such groups operate in 10 municipalities and with the help of project assistant Nino Chabukiani they have the opportunity to share their experiences with each other.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
The Forum Theatre performances were too impressive for the students. In Kutaisi, at the Niko Nikoladze School-Lyceum, the audience enjoyed the acting talent of their peers, the scenes based on reality. After each performance, there were discussions. Together with director Magda Chikhladze, the audience spoke frankly about bullying, psychological violence and actual problems.
The second performance also took place in Kutaisi, in the central location. The actors of the Forum Theatre played their roles so naturally that several passers-by even tried to help the victim of violence. Then they found out that it was a performance...
The audience says that it is good to talk and discuss violence in this form, because the problem is obvious. The main thing is that we all work together to correct the situation.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Trainings on: "Conflict escalation and examples" and "Tolerance among young people" were held with members of youth groups of 10 municipalities.
8 live and 2 online meetings were held.
Despite the summer holidays, young people attended the trainings with interest, actively participated in the exercises and understood the seriousness of the problems through role playing games.
From the feedback of the participants:
"This is the first time I've heard the term “escalation” and I think I'll remember it."
"With your explanation and posters, we easily saw the stages of the conflict and how it escalates."
"The role playing was very interesting. We stopped at the stages of escalation before the problem escalated."
"Georgia is a tolerant country. We must respect all people, regardless of their culture, faith or views."
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The first meeting of the mutual assistance group was held in Tskaltubo. The group was created within the framework of the project "Women Act for Peace and Strengthening the Local Community".
The meeting participants got acquainted with the activities and goals of the project, talked about the responsibilities and importance of the involvement of each member of the group.
The project activities will empower the women members of the group, their communities and will contribute to the implementation of the "Women, Peace and Security" agenda at the local level.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
Such stories are often written thanks to our work, diligence and effort.
The changes are especially noticeable when it concerns our Rehabilitation Center.
One of the latest stories is following: two mothers and 7 children appeared in the center. Two women with difficult fates and difficult children. This is not surprising: they are traumatized, have experienced violence and live with big problems.
A teacher working with minors notes that at first they hit each other, showed violence and aggression.
Gradually it became clear that in addition to domestic violence, they were victims of bullying at school - by students and teachers. Older children beat younger ones because they do not talk about their problems, and younger children want others to understand their hard situation. A grandmother beat one with a belt, a teacher pulled one's hair so hard that she almost pulled it out...
At the Rehabilitation Center, children learned to cope with bullying and build relationships with others. Mothers also figured out their situation - what is best for their future. The work of a lawyer, social worker and psychologist was aimed precisely at this.
One of the mothers is already divorced and is raising her children on her own, the other still lives in a violent environment, but the determination and current life of the woman with whom she lived in the center for two weeks are an example for her. Both women left Kutaisi full of hope, the children are happy. Work with them, their support will continue, we try to never leave our beneficiaries alone.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Mobilizers covered various topics at information meetings. The problems of domestic violence and ways of prevention are actively discussed everywhere. At the meetings of the Women Support Centers of Khoni, Chokhatauri, Tskaltubo, it became clear that a lot of work on identification is ahead.
Successful practices and results encouraged women from other centers. During the exchange of information, new cases were identified in the Women Support Centers of Khobi, Vani and Senaki.
The Para-specialists of the Fund are actively working with mobilizers. They study the needs of women, inform them about services and programs.
"There are many services that women do not know about, so we must continue to provide information about them, we must talk about this to everyone who cannot come to meetings," noted the beneficiaries. In June, internal monitoring was conducted in the Women Support Centers of Senaki, Tskaltubo, Terjola and Vani. The monitoring showed that process of informing should be continued. The need for professional courses for women was also noted. The problems identified during the monitoring will be implemented from next month and will make the work in direction of supporting women more effective
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
