Grants approved for Georgian projects
Posted by Stephen Rhodes
Our club's International committee has approved spending for two different projects in the country of Georgia. Club member Denis Stephenson has just returned from a trip to Georgia, where he spent time teaching.
Click on headline for more detail
Click on headline for more detail
His comments are included below:
"Georgia is very poor and struggling to rebuild its economy after gaining independence in 1990, when the Soviet Union broke up. They have lost most of their heavy industry and have virtually no social safety net. If you are aged, infirm or young and helpless, the outlook for you in this country is extremely grim. They have potentially the ability to revive their economy, because many are well educated thanks to the old Soviet system, but it may take 20 to 30 years to recover from 70 years of communism, where the state did everything for you.
"I think it is important for the west to help now in the interim rebuilding period."
Project funding was approved for:
Street children's shoe-making project - $3,500 Cdn
This project is directed by John Corlett, a Rotarian from Northwich Vale in England. The funding will help support a shoe-making facility for streetkids.
New computer for Tbilisi Women's Centre - $1,500 US
This project is directed by La Verulashvili, the founding president of the Rotary Club of Tbilisi. This centre is spearheading the drive to test women for breast cancer especially in the country villages, and a new computer will enable them to modernize and build their database.
"Georgia is very poor and struggling to rebuild its economy after gaining independence in 1990, when the Soviet Union broke up. They have lost most of their heavy industry and have virtually no social safety net. If you are aged, infirm or young and helpless, the outlook for you in this country is extremely grim. They have potentially the ability to revive their economy, because many are well educated thanks to the old Soviet system, but it may take 20 to 30 years to recover from 70 years of communism, where the state did everything for you.
"I think it is important for the west to help now in the interim rebuilding period."
Project funding was approved for:
Street children's shoe-making project - $3,500 Cdn
This project is directed by John Corlett, a Rotarian from Northwich Vale in England. The funding will help support a shoe-making facility for streetkids.
New computer for Tbilisi Women's Centre - $1,500 US
This project is directed by La Verulashvili, the founding president of the Rotary Club of Tbilisi. This centre is spearheading the drive to test women for breast cancer especially in the country villages, and a new computer will enable them to modernize and build their database.