GORI, Georgia, 26 October, 2009. The new Children and Youth's Centre is being launched today in Gori. The launch ceremony is attended by the Governor of Shida Kartli region of Georgia, Gori Municipality, UNICEF and the Council of Europe representatives.
The Centre will be managed and administered by the Gori Municipality in cooperation with the Gori Education and Resource Centre of the Ministry of Education and Science. UNICEF and the Council of Europe Development Bank renovated and refurbished the entire building and provided financial, technical assistance and essential supplies to the Centre. UNICEF also procured a special minibus to ensure children's safe transportation.
"We are so glad that children in Gori and adjoining villages have now the place where they can learn and develop", says Giovanna Barberis, UNICEF Representative in Georgia. "Education and cognitive development are essential for children. UNICEF commissioned study demonstrated inadequate knowledge and practices among parents and families for young child care, healthcare, and development. Responsive parenting and early stimulation practices were found to be inadequate in at least two thirds of families and 56 per cent of families do not have resources to promote early child development (i.e. books, toys). This is especially important for those children who have been affected by the last year conflict and education for them is also a possibility for stress relieve and rehabilitation. The centre will help these children to have access to books, learning programmes as well as to acquire various skills for their further development and socialization"
"The centre will be used as a model for the children and youth's centre," says Zurab Chkheidze, Deputy Head of the Gori Municipality. "This is very important for us as it has such sectors that have not been financed before by our municipality. Through the centre we are going to launch many interesting projects".
The centre will serve the children and youth of age 5 – 24 from the city of Gori and the villages of the Gori Region. There are four sectors functioning in the centre: pre-school education, Drama, Journalism and Youth sectors. The centre has the library and the reading hall.
In particular, the centre will allow internally displaced and local community children to have access to textbooks, picture books, literature and reference books, as well as be able to enjoy computer classes, drama, and recreation and sport activities. This will help children to develop their literacy skills and interest in reading and learning, and will also contribute to further growth and development - all so essential for school success.
The early childhood learning programme will enhance development and wellbeing of young children and prepare them for school and beyond. Quality preschool activities prior to school entry will provide structured learning opportunities and the emotional stability children need to realize their full potential.
The section of journalism, drama class and youth club will enable young people of different ages to meaningfully use their leisure time for learning and development.
UNICEF is on the ground in 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
For further information, please contact:
Maya Kurtsikidze, Communication Officer, UNICEF Georgia
Tel: (995 32) 23 23 88, 25 11 30, Fax: (995 32) 25 12 36
e-mail: mkurtsikidze@unicef.org, mob: (995 99) 53 30 71
www.unicef.org/georgia
