© LYVG 2010 - 2019
VOLUNTEER REPORTS & LETTERS
LYVG & BEDIANI CHILDREN‘s CENTRE
MTV 07
2006
R E P O R T of EVS volunteer REBEKAH GRIFFITHS
from UK
A. Overall evaluation of the project
My expectations, based on the information I was given before coming out to Georgia in regards to my daily tasks, were not met. The weekly time table I had been given was very unrealistic as well as some things being incorrect. I thought I would be helping in the school but I wasn’t. Georgian culture doesn’t work to such specific time tables. Having talked to other volunteers when I first arrived in Tbilisi I was prepared for this being the case and my tasks being different to what I expected.
My tasks included teaching English to three groups of children, organising painting, drawing, creative workshops, cooking, milking cows, making cheese, playing games with the children, helping in the garden with weeding, planting, watering etc, going on trips with the children and organising a photo exchange project with children in England.There were times in the beginning when I was frustrated with not having enough work to do. But it was partly a matter of adapting to a different culture, where life is more laid back and informal and things happen slowly and more spontaneously. I was satisfied with the tasks I performed however if I’d known in advance they wanted me to teach English to the children I could have been more prepared and brought more resources with me from England. For me the project was a success, I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
B. Support from the sending organisation
I received pre departure training from my sending organization and all the administration before I left was completed adequately. There was some difficulty because of changing of staff. The woman who interviewed me and began the arrangements for the project left the job and a new woman took over and therefore wasn’t so knowledgeable about the details of the project. I was under the impression that my sending organization would be in regular contact with me during the project but I didn’t receive any contact from them at all. Obviously if I’d had any major problems I would have contacted them, but it would have been nice to have felt a little more supported from them.
C. Support from the host organisation
When I first arrived I felt very supported from the host organization. I was shown around Tbilisi, taken for meals, told everything I needed to know and didn’t feel like I was left to fend for myself until I was ready. My mentor and others in the organization were easy to contact and always willing to help me with whatever I needed. It was unfortunate that my on arrival training didn’t take place until a month after I had arrived (due to me arriving on my own so they waited until another volunteer arrived to do the training together). A lot of the training wasn’t greatly relevant to my project though it was interesting all the same. There was a lot of difficulty in arranging language training due to my placement being in a small village 3 hours from Tbilisi and there not being anyone there to teach me. The host organization provided me with some lessons while they were waiting for a teacher to be found, but these lessons weren’t with a qualified teacher so weren’t very helpful for me. I did finally get some lessons in Bediani which helped me immensely.
D. Practical arrangements
I was satisfied with my accommodation and board. I was prepared in advance that it would be very simple living conditions and I adapted very quickly. My pocket money was more than adequate. I didn’t need my insurance card. I didn’t really feel particularly integrated into the local community beyond the people, families and children directly involved in the centre in Bediani. I met a few other people in the village but didn’t really have much contact with them but it wasn’t a problem for me.
E. Outcome of the EVS-project
I feel I have gained a good basic grasp of the language. I think it would have been very helpful to have a few days of intensive language learning as part of the on arrival training because knowing the language was big factor in the success of my tasks. I was forced to be assertive in organizing games and activities for the children which is a good skill to learn. I know my confidence will have increased from the challenge of adapting to a new culture and way of life as well as dealing with sometimes feeling isolated and lonely in my inability to fluently communicate and express myself with people. The practical skills I learnt were more of a personal interest to me and not so appropriate for finding a job back in England. But in general the skills and experience gained from living in another country and culture are always useful in any new job. I have learnt a lot about Georgian culture and history which was very interesting especially as Georgia is relatively unknown in England and other parts of Europe.
F. Follow up
I know my sending organization are happy to talk to me about the possibilities of the future capital project. I am very interested in finding out what I could do to continue my contact and involvement with Georgia and my project in Bediani particularly.
G. Personal comments
I would definitely recommend EVS to other young people. It is well organized and provides great variety in the projects available.