Help the Republic of Georgia Fundraising Initiative
How did the Help the Republic of Georgia group begin?
Grade 8 student Giorgi Vancko set up the Help the Republic of Georgia fundraising group after visiting the House of Virtues, a handicapped home, in the Signagi Region of Georgia while on a summer holiday with his family.
The House of Virtues houses twenty-five physically and mentally handicapped residents, who had been living in a state of poverty, with no access to running water, a roof that leaked whenever it rained and broken washing machines. The home was in dire need of support.
Moved by the stories he heard from the staff and residents of the home, Giorgi returned home to The Netherlands and set up the Help the Republic of Georgia group to raise funds to improve the living conditions and well-being of the residents. The Mission of the Help the Republic of Georgia Project is to:
“help those in need in the Republic of Georgia. We focus on supporting the physically and mentally handicapped and children”
What was their first project?
With the blessing and support of his family and his fellow classmates, Giorgi held presentations to the ISA community explaining why his proposals to improve the home were necessary. After raising funds, work on the home began in October 2017. Running water was to be provided by a 107m well. By February, the residents had their own water supply. They were also presented with a new washing machine. Giorgi and his family travelled to Georgia for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
It is an incredible achievement for Giorgi to have spearheaded such important humanitarian work at such a young age. Giorgi has no plans to stop his good work now; he will continue to support the country of his mother’s birth and the residents of the House of Virtues. Next, Giorgi plans to raise money to replace the damaged roof of the home. The ambitious project aims to raise 11,000 Euros for the new roof.
In October, students involved in the group will take part in a trip to Georgia to visit the House of Virtues to see for themselves the impact of their efforts on the residents.
How Can I Help?
You can help to support Giorgi’s initiative and the important work of the Help the Republic of Georgia by liking and sharing the project’s Facebook page in order to raise awareness of the group and the work it is doing. Look out for the upcoming fundraising events held by the group and support them if you can!
