Education for better future for Internally Displaced Persons in Georgia

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World Vision's Community Technology Access programme helped to change the lives of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in nine settlements in Georgia following the conflict over South Ossetia. Now after a year it is reaching its end and leaves behind a legacy of lives transformed– like that of 20-year-old Lika who secured a job as a coordinator of a World Vision Community Centre participated in various training courses and now helps to enrol other IDPs in all of the services the centre offers them. World Vision Georgia commenced its emergency response from the very outset of the conflict to meet the needs of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). World Vision began by providing emergency assistance to the conflict-affected population and then slowly switched to the recovery phase in 2009 by focusing on social and economic aspects of the affected groups. The Community Technology Access programme, which after a year is due to end, has been a key part of the recovery response, enabling IDPs in nine settlements to receive training and for some, to secure new jobs. 'After settling here I could not imagine that soon I would be able to work, support my family and would learn so many things', said 20-year-old Lika who secured a job as a coordinator at a World Vision Community Centre. Computer training, English classes and involvement in community activities have motivated her to continue studying in the university, and now she is more determined than ever to attain her degree. Like Lika, more than 1,000 IDPs participated in computer literacy training, about 125 English lessons and 32 IT engineering. Community Technology Access is financed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and World Vision Austria. It aims to improve access to education and livelihoods through computer literacy, distance learning, vocational training, creation of income-generating opportunities and enhancing entrepreneurial skills. Technology Access Centres are operational in nine Social Community Centres, also created by World Vision. These centres are equipped with computers and IDPs living in the settlement have access to the internet. 'The enthusiasm of these people is very encouraging; they have lost everything and began life from a blank page, but it has made them even stronger and most of them want to gain knowledge in new areas', said Irina Sigua, project manager for World Vision. Forty-five-year-old Natela, who used to be an accountant, attends computer literacy and English classes every day at Teliani settlement. She hopes that theses classes will help her to find job. 'Now you cannot work anywhere if you don't know computing and English. I was very glad when I heard about the free classes in this centre and it gives me hope that I can find a job', she said. The website idpclub.ge was created by the project to open new opportunities for IDPs and provide them with useful information to improve their livelihoods. -Ends-