On July 30^th the first phase of volunteers for the Teach and Learn with Georgia (TLG) program arrived at the Tbilisi International Airport.  The group spent two days in Tbilisi, where they visited the Old Town and became acquainted with the Georgian ‘supra’ feast. They attended official opening of the program at the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, where they were welcomed by the Minister, Mr. Dimitri Shashkini. After Tbilisi, the volunteers traveled to Kutaisi and began their orientation training.  Included in these sessions were Georgian language classes, teaching methodology, and cultural awareness classes.  When not in class, the volunteers visited downtown Kutaisi and took trips around the region, which included a trip to a 25 million year old cave complex in Navenakhevi.  After eight days of training sessions, the volunteers headed to Gonio, where an introduction reception was held in a fortress for the group along with their host families.  The reception featured traditional Georgian food, wine, music and dance.  After formally meeting with their host families the volunteers went to their homes throughout the Adjara region.

The second group of volunteers arrived in Georgia on August 15^th. Both groups of volunteers were welcomed in the city of Batumi by the President of Georgia, Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili. A relatively larger, third group will be arriving to Georgia by the end of the month, which will be followed by the arrival of several phases of volunteers throughout the year.

20.08.2010