Hello Everybody!

As my EVS project here in Rustavi is almost over, I made a "sum-up" video with pictures and our favorite musics from parties time!

Hope you like it! 

See you soon, Marie.

Welcome to Georgia Emelie and Albin !



Albin and Emelie



   Once upon a time, in 1991, in Trollattan were born Emelie and Albin. They grew up! They are living in Vanersborg, a few city with 36000 people.



Trollhatan



Trollhatan and Vanesborg



   Their dreams are a little different for their future work. Indeed Albin wants to become a teacher, may be history teacher while Emelie wants to works with people but nothing is decided. 



   In life, Emelie likes family, friend, Albin, new experiences, internet (Facebook you know?), cooking food and eating food, to take walks. Abin likes friend, family, movies, music, computer’s games, fitness. 

   They decided to come in Georgia to discovered a very different culture in a “hot country”. Georgia is perfect for this. 

   This is their first time in Georgia. They don’t speak Georgian yet, maybe in one year?

“Think positive !” is the motto of Albin while for Emelie it is just “Friday”.

Yoann, your apprentice journalist.

European Youth Parlement - Rustavi 1st regional session

This first regional session was held on the 7-9th may week-end. 

I was glad to be a part of it as the only 'european union child' !

So what is this exactly? 

EYP sessions, whether they are regional or national, are runned in every european country (and not only european union as you can see).

The main goal is to have a 'get together' of young, interested, motivated and very active people, to think and produce a resolution (enounced problems with solutions) about one given topic (related to georgia and europe as we were in regional session) - so that we can increase our knowledge, understanding and activeness (if that is even a word?), and make new friends of course.

We had a lot of non formal games (even just games) to increase our team-building and sense of competition. And in the end, we didn't sleep much but we had the best time.

All of it, was of course going on in english. Lucky for me, we went to Rustaveli cinema for a one hour movie (georgian/russian) and also the closing ceremony (the most formal part of it all) was in georgian language.

I got myself included in the DEVE (for development) committee, thinking and discussing very actively about the following given topic : 

 

How can Georgian youth be encouraged to increase opportunities for civic activism among other youth in their respective communities and especially in regions? What kind of experience should we share from developed European Societies about youth involvement in civil society and regional development?

 

The DEVE committee was composed of girls only, aged 14-22 (errr, that's me again!). I am also glad to announce that we did a very good job, having our resolution passed with the most 'in favor' votes.

As for me, I got to learn a lot as well about georgian youth (which is kind of essential when you are a volunteer in an organisation called "georgian youth for europe" ;-) ). 

The most interesting part was to my opinion, that we would freely share our opinions, but always in a respectful environment. Some things I didn't understand how it works exactly, during the general assembly for example, and the thing I regret a little is that our resolution will just stay as it is now. Maybe I should have a look over, see if we can make some things happen for real!

They say that after one session you become more or less heavily addicted. I sure did!

Written by Mary. Pics by Sophie.

Merry Christmas to all!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Georgian Youth for Europe and its members wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday.

May all your wishes and dreams come true!

Environment - Do You care?

Video made by Vili

We - Environment Team Rustavi - went in kindergarden in New Rustavi and asked the kids to talk about environment issues. Here are the best sentences.

We also have the video in georgian language only, aimed to be seen by local population for more impact.

Please share the video's link with your friends, on blogs, facebook!

Here is our channel's adress : stay tuned for more videos!

http://www.youtube.com/user/RustaviEnvironment

ველური წვეულება aka Daga`s birthday

On Monday, 29th of November, we were celebrating Dagmara`s birthday. One year older, one year wiser! ;)

Our little party started around 5 in EVS flat, but of course, since we are in Georgia, some of us arrived only around 8. We drank hot wine with spices, honey and vodka-oranges and ate the delicious apple cake that Daga had baked (btw, we are still waiting for that recipe ;)). But the real party didn`t start until after we had wedding : Dato and Teona - groom and bride, Cristi - the priest (yeah, laughing out loud) and others as guests. After the wedding the real tsveuleba could start and Joe brought out his guitar. We sang the EVS song, the Estonian song and some international songs - you can probably hear them on Friday in Rustavi Theatre - as well as some beautiful Georgian songs by Dato and Pati.

The EVS band (also called Nippleschnitzel or The White Dog and friends) used to consist of two people and one guitar but on Monday we took it to another level: everybody joined in with whatever they could make rythm with, for example pans, shower pipes and even Scotch tape!!! Yeah, creative is the right word to describe us :)

I think I can speak for everybody when I say that Monday was a great day and we all enjoyed it very very much! And once again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAGA! :)

Day of People with a Disability – Today

Today whole world is celebrating International Day of People with a Disability to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being. The day also seeks to increase awareness of the benefits of the integration of people with disability in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
So do we!

Plans has changed a bit but still everybody is welcome:
Today, at 3 PM
In park across the street of Rustavi Municipal Theatre (Rustavi City, Pirosmani street 7)
To join us and rise our tolerance and support to people with disability!

You will be welcome to participate in different competitions, sing and dance together with us. Also we will be selling handmade jewellery and cakes whereof all incomes will be donated and running some great activities for children!

All money collected during the day will be donated to Disability Centre in Rustavi so they can purchase stationary materials for their everyday classes and toys for mental and physical development.

P.S. Environment Team Rustavi will make a street action at 3:30 PM together with kids from local schools and clean the parks around theatre. You are welcome to join them as well!

So, see you there!

Street action today

Environment team Rustavi - grab your gloves, take a garbage bag and be next to City hall (Meria) at 3:30 PM!

Day of people with Disabilities in Rustavi

Join in and celebrate International Day of People with a Disability with European volunteers from Georgian Youth For Europe!

Where? Rustavi Municipal Theatre (Rustavi City, Pirosmani street 7)

When? Friday, 3rd of December, 15:00

Why? To rise our tollerance and support to people with disability

CHARITY CONCERT PROGRAM
15:00- 16:00 “ორიონი” dance group
16:00- 16:15 break dance
16:30- 17:00 Scout band
17:00- 17:30 “ჩონგური” singing group
17:30-18:00 European Volunteers Band

Also we will be selling handmade jewellery and cakes whereof all incomes will be donated and running some great activities for children!

All money collected during the day will be donated to Disability Centre in Rustavi so they can purchase stationary materials for their everyday classes and toys for mental and physical development.

Every year, on 3 of December International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is celebrated worldwide recognising the achievements and contributions of people with disability. IDPwD brings together people with disability and the general community and aims to:

• showcase the skills, abilities, contributions and achievements of people with disability
• promote a positive image of people with disability
• involve people with disability and the broader community in activities to celebrate and raise awareness of IDPwD.

Come and be a part of it!

Cleaning action and shashlik party

On Saturday 27^th November at 2 pm we met with our Georgian friends and 2 special guests from Switzerland in front of Rustavi's city hall to start our second cleaning action. The Swiss guys are travelers on the way to China. We divided into 2 teams and cleaned along the main road until we reached New-Rustavi. The common outfit (Environment Team T-shirts and doctor's gloves) fulfilled its task because most people were looking at us and some of them left some comments (we even got one „big thank you“ from one guy).

 After nearly 2 hours of cleaning, we felt pretty hungry, so we went to bazar and bought pork meat for shashlik.

We gathered in the volunteers' house and began with the preparation of the dinner (shashlik, potatoes and salad). The barbecue took place in their garden, and we were overwhelmed of the fact we are having barbecue in the end of November. After this delicious food and Marie's perfectly prepared French pancakes („Crèpes“), we got the party started with some very nice dancing and drinking activities :)

Written by Joe
 Pictures by Irena

Holy hike to closest height

It was Saturday morning when we gatered to go up the hill next to Rustavi. Task wasn't easy, but doable. And result - great jumping foto session for our WEB page. Here is a short movie about that day:

Movie made by Villi

Happy Birthday Rustavi!

On the 9th of October all Rustavi city turned into an amazing journey around all country. Full with songs and dance, foods and beer festival, traditional fights and sport activities.

We - "Georgian Youth For Europe" EVS volunteers made this interesting event even more colourful - everyone was welcome to leave his greeting to Rustavi with drawing his hand on a sheet, kids coloured the street with cheerful hearts, flowers and butterflies but guys were coping with each other in rope pulling competition. Check it by yourselfe:

 

Movie made by Villi

To see the the pictures from this sunny event Just click here!

Written by Zane