Vulnerable youth gain vocational skills in Georgia

A journalism class.

Photo: TYHF

Vulnerable youth in Georgia, the former Soviet Republic, are gaining a quality education--and learning valuable job training and peace building skills along the way--with the support of Church World Service and partner the Tbilisi Youth House Foundation (TYHF). The students are attending after-school programs that offer classes in English, basic computer science, video and photo production, job readiness, journalism, and peace education – all knowledge to help the students find good jobs in the future.

With high rates of unemployment for vulnerable families and internally displaced persons (IDPs), access to paid educational and vocational training is not an option. Here are two young adults who now have a chance to realize a different future, with the support of CWS, TYHF, and The Vocational Education for Vulnerable Youth Program.

A computer class
Photo: TYHF

Giorgi Giunashvili, a 16-year-old, has a paralyzed left eye which leaves him with limited vision. His mother, who is unemployed, raised Giorgi. Poverty forced her to place Giorgi in the village orphanage, where he received shelter and food. The orphanage contacted TYHF seeking options for Giorgi. Now Giorgi attends classes and is one of the most successful students in the program. He knows that this is his opportunity to change his life for the better.

Guranda Bursulaia, a 16-year-old IDP from Abkhazia, has participated in the program from the very beginning. Both her parents are unemployed and cannot afford to cover the costs of Guranda's education. Now Guranda attends several classes, including peace education sessions. From the very first session, she decided to dedicate her life to conflict resolution. Guranda has become a very good "trainer of trainers" and in November led her first peace education classes among her peers at the IDP school.

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