Current Projects
Youth: Future Public Authority
In cooperation with the Eurasia Partnership Foundation, a job training program for 64 youth started in July 2008. To activate unemployed youth, this training orients youth in professional directions through job training, computer skills and first hand exposure to the office environment. Exposure to public administration is included as job shadowing following the six-week training period. Training topics include:
1. Business communication skills: correspondence, conducting productive meetings, and protocol.
2. Business Etiquette: office relationships, culture and behavior, and telephone use.
3. Intermediate level training in MS Windows, MS Word, and MS Excel. Trainees will develop CV’s cover letters, motivation letters, methods of writing recommendation letters and thank you letters.
4. Internet: online job resources, Georgia job searches, and how to communicate through email.
5. Interview preparedness: etiquette, sample questions and procedure.
Trainers are from professional organizations and local government officials. Trainees hear directly from employers what is needed to get a job in today’s workforce.
ECO Clubs
Kartli XXI’s long cooperation with the U.S. Peace Corps lead to the ECO Club Project in Shida Kartli and Borjomi. The main purpose of the project ECO Clubs is to bolster environmental awareness, leadership, and community activism among youth in secondary schools throughout 6 districts of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park Zone Area. Through its youth-led activities, the project also aims to build awareness within the broader society about environmental issues facing Georgia and the South Caucasus. Since 2003 ECO Clubs have created environmental leaders taking community-based action to protect Georgia’s natural resources for the future.
In 2008, 10 environmental conservation projects will take place, 7 environmental appreciation trips and one large scale clean-up and tree planting of Borjomi National Park. Over 130 secondary students are taking part in the project.
Megobari Project
After the conflict in August 2008, Kartli XXI activated international fundraising efforts to build sanitary stations, food preparation areas, medicine and blankets for displaced persons living in Khashuri and Borjomi. Numerous organizations are working on refugee needs in Gori and Tbilisi but the efforts in the Megobari Project are unique to the local population. Funds are being used to improve the living standard of 12 buildings in Khashuri where IDPs are living from Tskinvali and Gori regions. After basic needs are met a business training will be developed for new residents to the region.
Program: Computer Training
During 2007, Kartli XXI continued to teach community members on basic operation, Microsoft Office programs and internet. 120 trainees participated in this project and were taught office programs for practical use. Over the course of 45 days, students attended classes everyday for 1 hour. To graduate and receive certificates, students were required to pass a test. Kartli XXI authored and published special guides for students. In addition 9 students participated in a month long internet only training.
Since 1999, Kartli XXI has successfully taught computer courses to the community and graduates have found better employment as computer operators and clerks. With every new group comes a review of the teaching methodology and addition of new technology to the curriculum. New groups start monthly at the center.
Business and Administration School
In August 2006, by assistance and partial financing of American Embassy, Kartli XXI started a new project called “Business and Administration School”, which established a center for individuals who required necessary business and administration skills. Based on experiences and knowledge gained in our school, they would study appropriate subjects and assist authorities in specific business. Project financing finished in August 2007 but the organization has had 9 training groups since that date each completing a three month course for two hours every day. The target population was community members over the age of 20 but students have ranged from 17 to 50 showing the demand for such services in Khashuri. Since the project foundation, there are 72 graduates of the program. The 7 subjects taught include:
1. Computer office programs
2. Elementary English
3. Informational technologies
4. Legislation
5. Business correspondence
6. Etiquette
7. Internet
Program: English Classes
Kartli XXI offers an American Culture class focused on English communication. It is the only classes of its caliber offered in Shida Kartli, taught by a native English speaker. Students attend class for 3 hours every week for 8 weeks on topics about modern culture in the United States. During 2007 English classes were taught to multi-level groups of citizens from the area. Approximately 30 students took part in weekly classes taught by NGO staff and an American consultant. The American consultant, as a native English speaker, was the main instructor and the NGO staff member provided instruction and explanations in Georgian. The group consisted of beginning and intermediate students, creating challenges on how to direct the teaching material. Students paid a fee to “Kartli XXI” for the English classes. Course material was developed from the Cambridge TEFL books. Teaching method used during the course was communicative to benefit actual real life English use. Certificates were issued to all successful graduates of the course. Classes are continuously starting throughout the year.
