Ambassador Tefft Highlights Support for Education, Refugees in Eastern Georgia
On Friday March 2, Ambassador Tefft traveled to the towns of Akmeta, Duisi and Tsinabani to tour U.S. and UNHCR funded projects focusing on education and development.
In the town of Akhmeta, Ambassador Tefft and First Deputy Minister of Education Bela Tsipuria toured a newly renovated Educational Resource Center (ERC). They also met with area teachers and recently-elected school board members to discuss the progress of educational reforms and how it impacts their work. USAID is supporting the ERCs through its General Education Decentralization and Accreditation project (GEDA). The three-year, $9.6 million program is supporting the development of 80 ERCs throughout Georgia, which will in turn help 2300 primary and secondary school boards implement national education policies and reforms.
Later in the day, Ambassador Tefft traveled to villages in the Pankisi Gorge to review refugee support projects. The Ambassador joined UNHCR Country Representative Naveed Hussain and UNHCR Field Office Director Srecko Neuman in touring income generating projects in the small town of Duisi. The delegation toured shoe repair shops sewing workshops and other facilities designed to boost the livelihood of refugees. The Department of State, through the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migrants (PRM), contributes approximately 25% toward UNHCR’s global budget - $362 million in 2006. Additionally, the Department of State contributed $500,000 in supplemental funds for UNHCR Georgia in 2006.
The Ambassador’s delegation made a final stop in the village of Tsinubani to review repairs made to the Tsinubani elementary school (K-6) by the Ambassador’s Fund for Refugees. During the visit, Ambassador Tefft met with School Director Pathi Kushanashvili, as well as teachers and students, and presented a collection of English language books and textbooks to the school.
The school, which was partially destroyed by fire, was completely repaired and refurbished with $20,000 from the Ambassador’s Fund. Norwegian Refugee Council was the implementing partner for the project. 64 pupils (22 refugees and 42 locals) are currently attending classes at the school. The Ambassador’s Fund replaced the doors and windows, re-wired the electrical system, repaired the ceiling, stairs and walls, and replaced the floorboards in all the classrooms. 12 refugees and locals assisted with the reconstruction. |
