Creating Safe Learning Spaces

IOCC’s humanitarian presence in the country of Georgia dates from 1994, with projects assisting thousands displaced by conflict. Work began with emergency response and has since grown to promote sustainable development for families and individuals in need.

Over the years, the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region has accommodated hundreds of thousands of displaced people. Families often sheltered in hotels, unused buildings, and schools. In the city of Zugdidi, 13 out of 17 kindergarten buildings were converted to temporary housing.

One kindergarten in Zugdidi operated out of a rented house for years, without enough space or facilities for children to thrive. When local authorities began converting their school building back into classroom space, they lacked the funds to furnish it appropriately.

IOCC stepped in to fully furnish the space with benches, beds, cabinets, kitchen appliances, mattresses, linens, and computer equipment. Today, the kindergarten is fully functioning and can serve up to 150 children. IOCC also purchased and delivered kitchen appliances, dishes, and cutlery, plus computer equipment, for a second kindergarten in nearby Shamgona so that it’s also ready to serve about 75 youngsters in that village.

The Zugdidi kindergarten is now open again, and IOCC continues working with local authorities to provide additional equipment in Shamgona, aiming to open this spring. In all, the program is creating a safe learning environment for over 225 students.