Scholarships have been part of our effort since the first Atlanta area church teams went to Georgia in 2004. Individuals on the trip committed to sponsor individual children from the Etseri Orphanage, in Samtredia, to attend trade schools in the area. Upon their return they began recruiting others to sponsor children.

Our original students- 2007 and 2008 grads
	The first group of three students, Tomriko Tutderidze, Theona Tchopadze and Nino Goksadze, graduated in the spring and summer of 2007, and you can meet them here

The second group, graduating in the spring of 2008, are Bachuki and Katia Parulave, and Natia Goksadze. Also among 2008's graduates are single year scholarship students Nino Goksadze and Mary Gegeshidze, who needed help only for their senior year of university studies, as well as Salome Adeishvili who needed only one year of assistance to get her started on her university program. You can meet them all here

Sponsored for 2008
	Entering or returning to school in the fall of 2008 is a larger group of students, including four from the Rioni School for the Deaf, whose introduction follows. Additionally, ten students from the Kitski School will be supported this year; you can meet them by scrolling down the page.

Rioni School for the Deaf Scholarships

There are few occupations for deaf workers in Georgian; art and hairdressing/barbering are two of them, and both are very well-respected in Georgian society. The following four students from the Rioni School will attend the Kutaisi Art School on scholarships supported by Georgia to Georgia sponsors. Three of the four are returning students, having previously received scholarships from other sources. Here they are, with letters of introduction written by Tbilisi Youth House Foundation Program Director Tamuna Grigolia:

Aleko Jgenti Aleko is always smiling and making funny pictures. He is the most gifted in art among the all four. The family lives in Samegrelo, very remote village. He came to Rioni School in 1999. His father in disabled and they have no funding source to live on. Aleko's only wish is to study. He is much concentrated at the art and keeps hoping that his dear friends from the United States may help another year with the tuition. One year tuition fee is the same 150 GEL= 110 USD per year as for the others. The total requested would be – 110+180 = 290 USD – for tuition, transportation and painting supplies. This will be the third year of his education at the facility.

Giorgi Shurghulaia Giorgi was born in 1994. He lives in Kutaisi. He got registered in Rioni insitution in 2006. The family consists of disabled father, mother and aged grandmother. Giorgi has got two sisters. His family is socially unprotected, this are just words, but once his grandmother told [Rioni School Director] Gocha that she would not have anything to feed him if had taken home! He needs 150 GEL= 110 USD per year as well. The total requested would be the same as for his peers – 110+180 = 290 USD – for tuition, transportation and painting supplies. This will be the second year of his education at the facility.

Giorgi Djgardava Giorgi was born in 1991. He lives in Marartvili village, which is in Samegrelo region, 3 hours driving from Kutaisi. He came to Rioni insitutions in 1999. His family is very poor and they can not even dream of paying for his art school study. They are not able to feed him on the day offs even, when he gets to the home. He loves painting, he is very talented, but loves playing football as all the boys of his age. Giorgi went to the art school last year thanks to David's [Williams, from Peachtree First Methodist Church, Atlanta] stipend and he needs more 150 GEL= 110 USD this year for 2008-2009 tuition at the art school. Last year we paid for transportation and supplies. Accordingly he would need 110+190 = 290 USD per year. This will be second year of his education at the college.

Ana Endeladze Ana is from a very poor family; she arrived from Russia at the end of September. Father died in early September and through present exaggerated relationships with Russia the family had to move to Georgia. Picture and story will be coming soon.

Kitski School Scholarships

Kitski School in Zestaphoni, near Kutaisi in the middle of the country, has seen an increase in both actual and social orphans, and will surely see more as a result of the Russian invasion. All of the students Georgia to Georgia is supporting with scholarships this year have attended school for a year or more, generally under the sponsorship of individuals recruited by Peachtree Road First Methodist Church in Atlanta. While those individuals are continuing to sponsor some of the children, sponsors are needed for others. Contact us to see how you can help. Here are 2008 scholarship students, with their letters asking for continued support:

Dimitry Beradze My name is Dimitry Beradze but my people call me Dito as most of the Dimitries in Georgia, this is our tradition to call the beloved ones short names. I was born in Kharagauli region in 1988, October 30th. I’ve studied at the Kutaisi Technical University, department of technical engineering. I’m a third year student now and I love my future profession. I get more and more in love with engineering and would love to graduate the University. I've got mother, father and a sister. Only mom works in the family. It’s been a challenge to pay for my tuition fee. Two years ago I was lucky to get Mr. David William's Scholarship and this made my life easier. Last year I was gifted Ms. Teresa Wright’s stipend which enabled me to graduate my second year education. I’m utmost grateful to these two wonderful and generous people for heartfelt participation in creating my future. I could not call this care in other words! As I mentioned I'm a third year student now. I would need 720 USD to cover the tuition fee for this year. You would not imagine how much this money means for me and my family! With deepest gratitude in advance, Dimitry

Natia Beradze My name is Natia Beradze. I live in Kharagauli region, village Kitski. I was born on 26th of November, in 1989. I’ve got parents and two sisters. I graduated Kitski institution in 2007. The same year I entered Kutaisi Akaki Tsereteli Multi departmental College, department of Management. I successfully graduated first year of the study. This happened through your generosity and commitment only. I would not be able to study without your help. My family is even poorer that was last year. We do not have any fixed income. We live on the farming and harvest, which is hardly enough to provide daily meals to the family. My parents will not be able to cover my tuition fee which totals to 350 GEL=252 USD.Please help me in achievement of my goal to become a professional and serve my country. God Bless you for all you do to us, Sincerely, Natia

Natalie Chubabria My name is Natalie Chubabria.I was born on February 28 1986, in Kragauli region, village Kitski. In 2003 I graduated Kitski facility with high grades. The same year I entered Kutaisi State University, department of Humanities. In 2007 I entered MA courses at the same University. The tuition is payable. My family is socially disadvantaged [not covered by government pension plan]. The only source of income is farming product which we harvest and which is too scarce to support and even feed the family. Last year I received generous gift from Ms. Teresa Wright, which enabled me to attend my first year of Masters, and to whom I’ve been life indebted. I have got one more year to graduate to complete the education. Please help me to cover the Master’s tuition fee for one more year. The tuition fee totals to – 720 USD (1000 GEL). With deep respect and gratitude, Natalie

Giorgi Chubabria My name is Giorgi Chubabria. I was born on July 13th 1988. I graduated Kitski institution in 2005. The same year I entered Tbilisi branch of Moscow University, Department of Law. The tuition fee totals to 1500 GEL = 1080 USD per year. My family is very poor. To live, we sell farming products and some livestock, taking care of which needs all life energy from my parents. I’ve got a sister who studies at Kutaisi State University. I’ve got grandparents as well. The grandfather is a war veteran. The only chance I continue the education is your support. I regard this support as God’ Grace to me and my family as they are so eager to see me as a University graduate and a good citizen of my country. I successfully moved to the fourth year of the University. This is my last year bachelor’s classes. I will think on the masters later, but the bachelor’s degree will enable me to work with my profession. I would love to send my gratitude to all the friends in Atlanta who funded my last year classes. It was a dream become true when I received a note on the finding! Please be my savor for this another year of study! Respectfully, Giorgi.

Alexandre Chulukhadze My name is Alexandre Chulukhadze. I was born in Kharagauli region village Kitski. 1992 I entered Kitski Institution. Upon graduation of the institution I entered Kutaisi State University, from which graduated in 2007 (BA). In 2007 I entered MA courses in the same University to deepen my knowledge and to become a good professional. The education is payable [expensive]. My family is very poor, father passed away and mother is disabled and accordingly unemployed. I do not have a single person around to help me with the tuition fee. Last year I was lucky and happy to be funded by dear Mr. Malcolm Morrison for my first year at the Masters. His assistance was fulfillment of my biggest dream!!! I would need another year study at the University to complete my classes. I deeply request you, dear friends, if you could help me to overcome the hardship of covering the fee. The fee totals to 1000 GEL= 720 USD. Huge thanks in advance. I will be life grateful to you, Sincerely, Alexandre

Diana Faikridze Diana was born in 1986, July. When she was 6 years old she went to Kitskhi School. After graduated she entered to N.Muskhelishvili state university and next she entered to Kutaisi State University and graduated with high point grade. She decided to continue study in master. Her family has not enough money to help her to study. Her husband (Otari) works in police. She has one child; her name is Mariam. They live in Kutaisi with rent. Her Husband hasn’t parents. Diana’s parents are in village in Kitskhi. Diana’s father haven’t job, mother is teacher in Kitskhi School.

Salome Kobakhidze My name is Salome Kobakhidze. I was born on 5 April 1989. I live in Zestaphoni, village Sazano. I’ve got parents, sister and a brother. My parents are unemployed. I graduated Kharagauli region Kitski institution. In 2006 I entered Georgian Subtropical Farming Institute through National general exams. Faculty of Technology. Now I’m a third year student. I live with a relative. My tuition fee is 1000 GEL = 720 USD. Last two years I covered the tuition fee with your great help and care. Had not it been your help, I would not be able to study at the institute. It’s been my dream to become a good specialist and to get a good job. I will never stop thanking you all for the HELP. I’ve got two more years to study at the University. I very much hope you might help me with the tuition fee. With all My Gratitude, Salome

Dali Kvantrishvili My name is Dali Kvantrishvili and I was born on September 30th of 1989 in Kharagauli, village Vardzia. There are five members in my family: mother, father, sister, brother and me myself. Both of my parents are disabled. The main income of the family is their pension. The pension rate is very low in Georgia, it equals to approximately 30 USD per month. This is totally insufficient to our family even to get daily meals. After I graduated from the Kitski public school in 2006, I passed National exams of Georgia and, thus, was accepted at the Akaki Tsereteli State University, faculty of engineering and technology. I have closed up the first year there. By loving care from Family Ties Class I was able to study at my second year classes last year. All these people who participated in the funding of my fee gave piece of heart to grant me a gift and become my angel guards. I would like to ask YOU THE DONORS to assist me in covering of the university tuition fee for one more year. I will not be able to pay this year tuition neither. Your help would be the only source to me to continue the education. My annual education fee is 1000 GEL = 720 USD. Thank you with all my heart in advance, Sincerely, Dal

Ucha Machavariani My name is Ucha Machavariani. I was born on January 6th 1989 in Kharagauli region village Bori. I’ve got father, mother and a sister. My family economically is very disadvantaged. My father is a 2 degree invalid. Mother works at Kitski kindergarten and her monthly salary totals to 100 GEL. My sister has graduated this year and has been preparing for the next year national exams. In 2006 I passed the National Exams and entered Kutaisi State Technical University, Transport Department.V I was a student of Mr. David Williams Scholarship two years ago. Last year my tuition totally was funded by Mr. Bob Molleur. So these two wonderful people helped me to turn my dream into reality and attend two years of the University classes. I will be grateful to them for all of my life!!! Now another year of the study has come and I need help to pay the fee which totals to 875 Gel per year = 630 USD. My family and I personally are deeply grateful to the US volunteers from Peach Tree Road for all the support and care. I’ve got huge wish to graduate the institute and to be a good citizen of my country. With gratitude, Ucha

Irakli Paikridze My name is Irakli Paikridze. I was born on May 4th 1988 in Kharagauli region, village Bori. I’ve got a father, mother, grandfather and a sister. My father is 2 degree invalid, During the Abkhazian Civil war my father witnessed how his closest friend was cut into pieces and he could not help. He’s been mentally ill since that time. The grandfather is a veteran of the World War II. My mother is a housewife and the sister is Kitski School student. In 1995 I entered Kitski institution, which graduated in 2006. The same 2006 I entered Kutaisi State University, Department of Economy. My family is very poor and we live on the pension of my father and a grandmother, which is not even 100 GEL per month in total. I was lucky to be funded by Mr. David Williams Scholarship Fund two years ago. Last year dear Ms. Teresa Wright helped my tuition fee and let me graduate second year course at the University. I will never be able to express my deepest gratitude to her! If I graduated the University I would have a good job and support my family. They are praying for you Dear Friends from the United States for everything you’ve done for the poor children and youth from Kitski. I’m an active member of the University community and will do the best to be better and you to be proud of me. I would need another year scholarship (720 USD) to continue the education. Please, please help! With deepest gratitude, Irakli