The Tsalks Project

The Tsalks project was created at the civic integration camp. The civic students’ from Tsalks created this project to help fight road safety. The students from the Armenian school meet with local Government and decided to install speed bumps and road signs. They choose key points in Tsalks to place these speed bumps. 

One of these points was on Chelidze Street.  A Kindergarten is at this location. Speed bumps and street signs where installed which will help children cross the road safely. This project will impact 800 people.

Project that was created from the Integration camp was executed in Bolnisi. The project installed speed bumps on the road

From January 15, 2014 at the civic integration camp, the young adults from Bolnisi believed the main problem in their town was road traffic and pedestrian safety. They created a project titled “To cross the road safely.”

Their initial plan was to put speed bumps  in front of the school but the Government had already planned to carry out this project.  Therefore the students’ alternative plan was to put speed bumps at three critical locations.

First location was Pirosmani Street. At this location there is a popular square that attracts many residents including small children.

The second location was Agmashenebeli Street. This location has the highest percentage of auto crashes. There are also no road signs there.   

 The third location was Petriashvili Street. Kindergarten number six is on this street. Seventy children are enrolled at this Kindergarten. 

The local residents liked the project. Speed bumps were installed at all three locations. The creators of the project hope the speed bumps saves lives. 

Meeting with the Deputy of United States of America

High achieving young adult girls studying Natural Sciences had the opportunity to meet successful women via podcast in the field of Natural Science. They also had a chance to meet with the Deputy of the United States of America.  The Deputy of the United States Bridget Bring, discussed History of Women month.  Women involved with engineering, and who were successful in stem cell research were two key parts of the meeting. The goal of the event was to educate visitors about women involved in natural sciences. Siqa organized students from Rustavi, Marneuli, and Tetritskaro. These five active students had a chance to speak with successful women. 

Training for Siqa Young Leaders

On March 28, 2014 with initiative of Siqa, training about First AID was conducted. Leaders from SIQA were trained at BDC Academy. At the training the young leaders learned; how to check pulse of an unconscious person, check pulse and breathing, how to give CPR (mouth to mouth and chest compression,) and How to use heart defibrillator. Training took place in BDC office in Tbilisi

Civic Clubs visited 112 Information Center

On March 27, 2014 SIQA organized a visit  to 112 Information Center with thirty-five members from Civic Club in Kvemo Kartli. Information about 112 operations was discussed.  Emergency procedure for natural disasters was covered. Fire safety was also a key topic. Together Change Addiction an organization specializing in drug awareness educated the students on drug issues. Synthetic Drugs and their hazards was stressed. Participates liked the visit and was pleasantly surprised how well organized 112 operations are. They were glad siqa orchestrated the event.  The visitors were from Marneuli schools (3, 5, 6,), Koda School, and Rustavi schools (4, 11, 12, and 17.)

Training about Gender Equality

On March 14, 2014 Siqas’ EVS volunteers conducted training in Gardabani school number one. Twenty-four members from civic club “creative teenagers” attended. The Goal of training was to educate Georgian youth about gender roles.  A question and answer portion was part of the training. The training was conducted in English and translated into Georgian. The young adults enjoyed the training and would like a similar training in the future. 

On March 15, 2014 at Siqa office, students from civic club number one of Kazreti were involved in the Social Media training “How to Edit Video”

Eter Paichadze conducted the training. Windows Live Movie Maker was the software program featured. Students learned how to edit video, upload video to youtube.com. With Knowledge and skills acquired from the course students will now be able to edit and display videos related to their community projects.

A former member of Siqas Club started volunteering in Lithuania

Ana Chikviladze a graduate of Professional Skills for Success program will start EVS in Vievis, Lithuania. During Ana ten months of service, she will work in the Vievis Cultural Center with young adults. Ana will be involved in cultural exchange, learn German, English, and Lithuanian.

                We wish her good luck.

Civic Clubs of Rustavi made an activity for driver and pedestrians for "Road Traffic Safety"

Siqa organized and educated the people of Rustavi about road safety. Posters were created then displayed at critical high traffic zones. Informational flyers about road crossing, in particular, Zebras (crosswalk) safety, were handout to the citizens of Rustavi. A previous project on Leonidze and Meskhishvili Street was highlighted. Rustavi media and police supported this project. Thirty participants were involved.

Comic Book Club in English

On March 13, 2014 Comic book Club premiered.  At the club participants will have the opportunity to practice English. Comics from Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse, Independent Publication, etc. will be featured. Participants will have the opportunity to design their own comics and present them to the other club members. All people of twelve years of age and higher are welcome to attend the club. The club will meet every Thursday at 1700 (5:00 P.M.) at Siqa old office Megobroba Ave 12/56 Rustavi Tel 341-22-31-33.

SIQA is participating in “Adobe Youth Voices”

Siqa is involved in iEARN-an international project “Adobe Youth Voices.” Young adults are educated about media books, and media projects.  Young adults will view and share international projects. Adobe Photoshop Element and Adobe Premiere Elements were two software programs young adults received technical knowledge of.

        On March 7, 2014 Eter Paichadze described the advantages of “Adobe Youth Voices” program. The young adults where excited about the international project. The program will meet two times per week. At each meeting, participates will receive a new challenge. 

Work meeting of Civic Club

On March 4, 2014 Civic Club activity from February was reviewed. Clubs “This Make It Kvemo Kartli” was one of the key concepts in February.  Professionals came to schools meet with many Civic clubs and discuss what they were interested in. Involved schools (Civic Clubs) received school supplies.

The Civic Clubs asked for support related to the initiative. Civic Club #23 with the support of restaurant “Tamada” received sweets and flowers (50 GEL.) On March 3, 2014 the sweets and flowers were donated to a senior citizen home (assisted living home.) Civic Club #20 and Zurab Giorgadza  a registered business person and shop owner  donated fifteen kilograms of paint. The young adults panted their school fence.

Students planned future activity. One that received great interest was “Road Traffic Safety” project.

Conference with Deputy of the Georgian Ministry of Education and Science Lia Gigauri

On February 27, 2014 in Tbilisi at the multi-media complex center IREX, Young adults from all over Georgia were watching via online broadcast. Young adults had the opportunity to ask Lia Gigauri questions via Skype. Young Adults from Rustavi Schools number two, four, seventeen, and twenty-three attending podcast in Siqas office.  

        Lia Gigauri described how a democratic society functions. She gave her opinion on how students can be involved, and how to solve problems. During the question and answer piece of the conference students asked questions relating to exit exams, the future of Civic Clubs, etc. The young adults enjoyed the conference and wanted to do it again. PH International created the conference in guidelines to the Applied Civic Education and Teacher Training Program. 

On February 20th and 21st, of 2014 SIQAS’ Training for Women’s Club

Active woman in Rustavi participated in a workshop about how to write projects.  Members shared their experiences. How to effectively network with different donors was one key part of this training. Tsira Tavshavadze created and conducted this training. This activity was philanthropy from Siqa. The event took place at the Rustavi USAID office.  Information located on KKpress.ge 

Siqas’ Cinema Club

On February 25, 2014 European and Georgian volunteers took part in a film screening. The animated film “Brave” was featured. Twenty-five young people attended. After screening an English discussion took place. The goal of this activity is to improve English listing and speaking abilities. The Cinema club meets every Tuesday at 1700 (5:00 P.M.) 

Work Meeting with Civic Clubs

On February 25, 2014 civic clubs meet in Siqas office. The clubs preexisting projects, and future plans were discussed. The clubs also discussed what issues they want to discuss with local government (How to solve problems in Rustavi.)The clubs are researching problems and trying to find local organization to help resolve these issues. 

Team equality Training for Members of Civic Clubs in Kesalo

On February 24, 2014 Siqas’ EVS volunteers conducted training on team equality. Thirty-seven people participated.  The goal of the training was to discuss gender equality. There was a question and answer portion of the training. Gender roles in Georgia were discussed. The training was presented in English then translated into Georgian and Azerbaijan.  The Azerbaijani students enjoyed the training. 

Professional Skills for Success Club has started

The first meeting took place on February 23, 2014 in Siqas office. The theme of the first meeting was “stereotypes.” Activities, videos, and discussions about stereotypes were covered. Over the next three months a different topic will be featured weekly (Effective, Communication, How to Manage Conflict, Leadership and Working with Teams, How to Write Projects, Debates, Effective Presentations, How to Write Cover Letters, and Public Speaking.) Participants have an opportunity engage in international projects. 

Civic Clubs meet with Tamar Gurchiani

On February 21, 2014 SIQA helped organize an interesting meeting with Tamar Gurchiani. She shared her experiences with members of the Civic Clubs. The young adults were interested in her job and what she thinks of current events. Tamar Gurchiani said “if you work and study hard you will find success.” Rustavi civic clubs attended.

Social Media Seminar “How to Shoot Video”

On February 21, 2014 an Applied Civic Education and Teacher Training Program project took place at Siqas office.  Two successful bloggers Keti Shoshiashvili and Keti Epitashvili conducted the training. These two individuals won a blogging contest. Participants from Rustavi schools (Number 1, 4, 15, 17) attended.   Keti Shoshiashvili shared her experience from a social media camp. Students learned how to operate a video camera, how to edit, and how to solve problems related to video advocacy. Participants developed the art of “how to show problem in four shoots, or four scenes.” Siqa will conduct a similar seminar in the near future

Exhibition of Civic Clubs

SIQAs’ team and members of Rustavi Civic Clubs were participating in the exhibition of Civic Clubs at the Sheraton Hotel on February 20, 2014. Georgian media covered this event. Photos of successful projects were displayed.  Reporters interviewed students who created successful projects. Rustavi Team talked about the road safety project “Safe Circle.”

Visit to Center of Intellectual Property National Center

On February 19, 2014 SIQA organized a visit to the Center of Intellectual Property National Center for Civic Clubs from Bolnisi. The young adults discovered protection and registration property rights. Giorgi Qurdiani Manager of the Center hosted the young adults. The Young adults and Giorgia Qurdiani discussed the different products of Georgia, wine, mineral water, etc.  The product library was visited.  Head of Board Irakli Gvalidze showed participants how the center functions and the layout of the building. Visitors were from Bolinsi’ schools number one and five, Kazreti’ school number one and two and Ratevani’ School. 

Polish Volunteers Conducted Intercultural Training

On February 14, 2014 Polish volunteers gave a presentation about Polish culture, traditions, and cuisine. One highlight of the presentation was about the Wielkopolska region.  Wielkopolska traditions, culture, and memorials were stressed. 

Rustavi Civic Clubs Social Media Seminar

On February 14, 2014 SIQA conducted social media training for members of Rustavi Civic Clubs.  Microsoft Movie Maker software program was displayed.  Participants learned how to upload videos on youtube.com. Participants will now create then share activities (future videos) from useful information obtained from this seminar.  Participants were from Rustavi school number, two, seventeen, twenty-one, twenty-six (six participant’s total.)

A video advocacy book was handed out to participants. The book was developed by Applied Civic Education and Teaching Training Program part of PH International.  

On the nineteenth of February an encore of this seminar will be performed. On February 21, 2014 training on how to shoot videos will be conducted. 

Civic Clubs visited the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia

On February 12, 2014 SIQA organized a meeting with the Manager of the Ministry, Nata Sultanishvili. Members received information about departments within the ministry; Agency of Protected Territories, National Environment Agency, Biodiversity Monitoring of Georgia. Civic clubs (schools) who attended the Ministry were; Tetritskaro school number one and two, Koda, Asureti, Rustavi school number fifteen and twenty-six .

The young adults had the opportunity to meet with members from each department and receive valuable information. Members from each department answered many question brought up by civic clubs students. Members from the Ministry would like to work with the young adults in the future.

Program ACETT, USAID, PH International, SIQA is a partner organization. 

Active Civic Club Summery of Work

On February 11, 2014 the civic club from Agmamedlo village school (Marneuli municipality,) showed guest summary of work. The civic clubs with the support of Siqa and ACETT program have been developing many projects during the last two years.  Members from Siqa, and Agmamedlo Government were present.

               Members of the civic club with their teacher Eliso Papaskua made an interesting project on how to raise ecological awareness.  Flora Aivazova representing the village of Agmamedlo showed interest in this idea, and gave her support.

SIQA organized a meeting between the Mayor of Rustavi Davit Jigia and SIQA members of Rustavi Civic Clubs

On February 7, 2014 Davit Jigia meet with Rustavi Civic Clubs. At the meeting the young adult’s detailed information from projects created at the integration camp. One of these projects was improving traffic safety. This particular project intends to improve pedestrian safety.

Road signs and streets were painted. Two Zebras (Crosswalks) were created. A grant from USAID helped implement this project.  ACETT and PH international help develop this project. SIQA is a partner organization in Kvemo Kartli.

One More EVS Project in Poland

               

Siqas’ volunteer Marekhi Tugushi (Batumi) was chosen to take part in EVS. She will be serving in Katowice, Poland.  During her eleven months service, she will be working with young adults via Step Project. The Step Project utilizes non-formal education instruments (methods.) She will organize different activities, workshops, meetings, seminars, performances, etc.

We wish her interesting volunteer service and success.

Skills for Professional Success Started New Season

Knowledge, experience and  other unique attributes participants will receive from the club were an important push for future development.

Alumni from the 2012-2013 class Tamo Kiria and Lika Mdzeluri were chosen to take part in European Volunteer Service.  They will be serving a long-term project in Bucharest, Romania. They will be hosted by a Non-Government Organization which specializes in non-formal teaching methods. Another alumnus Nutsa Chavelashvili is currently serving a short-term program “Youth in Action” through Raise Your Voice project in Italy.

SIQA is giving young adults opportunity to develop skills which will help their professional and personal success.  The link to sign-up is given below. The deadline is the fifth of February.

Civic Education (Applied Civic Education and Teacher Training Program) activities from July to December of 2013 were reviewed

On January 29, 2014 at Marneuli School #6 ACETTP activities were discussed, and Active Civic Clubs were reviewed. Partnership between SIQA and local Governments was discussed as well.

Problems the young adults have addressed in their city and what resolutions they wanted, in addition to, what problems were resolved, playe a major factor in the meeting

Probation Program, big local activities, youth successful projects (a few projects received grants), from the youth forum.

Representatives from PH International, Civic club members and Government officials from Marneuli, Tetritskaro, Bolnisi, Gardabani, and Rustavi attended the event.

The most active clubs received gifts. All participants who attended the event received informational flyers about civic programs engagement in Kvemo Kartli. The flyers were printed from awarded grant. Local media filmed this event.   

Solidarity for Ukraine People in Rustavi

        

Siqa was one organization paying tribute to Ukraine on January 25. Siqa displayed support for the people of Ukraine during these troubling times. The event took place at the center of Rustavi.

Cinema Club of SIQA Will Show Films Weekly

                January 21, 2014 at 1700 (5:00 P.M.) in SIQAs office started the 2014 season. Georgian and European volunteers were shown an animated film (Monster, Inc.) There were fifteen volunteers from many of Siqas’ Civic Clubs.

                The goal of the club is to improve young adults English listening and speaking abilities. Siqa Cinema Club will meet every week on Tuesday at 1700(5:00 P.M.)

SIQAS’ Civic Integration Camp for Young Adults

               

 The Camp started on January 15, 2014. The camp curriculum was within the framework or guidelines of Applied Civic Education and Teacher Training Program which is financed by USAID and implemented by PH International.

                SIQA-Georgian Association of Education Initiatives is the partner organization from Kvemo Kartli. SIQA orchestrated the camp. The camps duration was five days. Twenty-four schools total (twelve Georgian and twelve Azerbaijan) from seven municipalities’ in Kvemo Kartli participated.  From each school three participants (two students and one civics teacher) attended. How to plan and execute intercultural teaching, and civic activity were two key training concepts. 

                Participants developed projects related to their municipalities. Many of these projects were problem within their community, thus these project were designed to improve the quality of life within the community.  The participants were trained on how to find grants for these projects. Participants were also trained on how to work with local politicians and their local government.

                The mission of the program was to improve the strength of civic classes in Kvemo Kartli, and increase young adults’ activity in a democratic society. 

New Season for Skills for Professional Success Announced. January 13, 2014

Our goals at Siqa is to help young adults better plan their lives. This training program will help build self-confidence, increase knowledge, and improve job prospecting.  If interested feel free sign up, the link is provided below. Deadline is at the end of January. The program will start in February.   

SIQA Christmas Carnival

On January 6, 2014 SIQAs’ volunteers celebrated Christmas Carnival. Children and young adults from all over Georgia attended the Carnival.