Now, I’ve learned a little bit about Georgia since I’ve been here, so when we stopped and just sat around for a good 5 minutes I made a point to say I needed to go to the store and get some photos printed (the ones that are going on the kids thank-you cards). So after another 10 minutes of just hanging around waiting for whatever it was we were waiting for….I made my move and headed down to drop off my USB stick with the photos on them that needed to be printed. The guy in there knew my face since it was the same place I’d been when I printed out the pictures of each of the kids (that’s going on the inside of each of the thank you cards). Then I rushed back to the bus – and sure enough – it was still there.

After another half an hour things started moving. We drove to a nearby school in town and everyone hopped out. The priest, the school director, the teachers, and a ton of students. We assembled in a large, colorfully painted room and to my surprise the kids all started singing!? Ok, so this is a musical concert for the “poor peoples” too. I had no idea!

This must have been organized at some point before today because our school would sing a song, then their school would sing, then we would recite a poem, and then they would. They also played a sort of trivia game and also charades. As it was wrapping up my Director grabbed me and made a little speech about how Shroma had received a volunteer English teacher and I knew how to sing….

Ok. Here we go I guess!? Nino sat down at the piano and began to play Jingle Bells….I cleared my throat and hoped for the best since I hadn’t really spoken or used my voice much since the end of class and during our entire bus ride. I think my own student from Shroma were the most amazed. And I realized they’d 1) never heard my sing – which ‘aint too bad and 2) had never heard me speak full speed! I sang two rounds of the song and then everyone joined in singing the Karuli version of the song with me still singing it in English! Wow!

The teacher from Shroma unloaded the mandarines and I ran back over to pick up and pay for the pictures. Nino somehow managed to get me and Toma in a friends car to get home rather than taking the bus – so we got home at least 45 minutes before everyone else! Hurray – good job Nino!

Shroma has impressive vocal chords!

Nino and Toma listening to the other school as they sing.

A final picture with as many of us as could squeeze together!

So, I was able to catch a ride in a car all the way to school so I didn’t have to carry all 21 books and workbooks – thank goodness! I had them all wrapped up in large plastic bags so no one could see what they were, and I hid the books in the teacher’s room until 6th Grade English class started. When I went into class most of the kids had their Level 2 books and Special English Notebooks out and ready for class….so they were surprised when I had Tamuna translate and tell them to put it all away for today.

I then gave a bit of a speech, which Tamuna translated to the class, and it went a little something like this:

I started by saying how very impressed I was with every single student in the room. Each of them has been trying very hard all semester and I can see that from their work in their notebooks as well as how much they talk to me during and between classes. I said they were been moving so fast through their Level 2 books that I got an idea. I asked them to remember the day I took pictures of each of the kids in front of their old chalkboard. *And they nodded a yes. I said, well I put those pictures up on my webpage. I told them I wrote about how awesome the class was and how smart they all were, and then asked my family and friends back home for help to 1) get them the new chalkboard they’d been using and 2) to purchase each of them a brand new English World Level 3 Book and Workbook. *I then grabbed the two wrapped stacks of books, put them on the table and unwrapped it in front of them. I told them that far away, there are people who have seen their pictures and loved them and wanted to help them learn English. *there was complete silence – the kids were astounded – they didn’t know what the right response was. I told them, that I have tried my very hardest to make it possible for them to keep learning English after I was gone and that they would have to continue to work hard in learning……and then they all started clapping, and wiping tears, and some even laughing and shouting!

I then called each kid by name, one by one, up to the front of the room. I gave them a huge hug and handed them their two new books. I had them write their English and Kartuli names in both books when they got back to their desks – and they did so with gusto! Then Tea’s turn came. She’s the girl who gave me my very first teacher’s gift. She wasn’t one of the strongest students in class and was very very shy and quite the entire semester. She came up to the front and I asked Tamuna to tell her this: I see her learning. I know she is learning but if she is going to be able to use this new book, she is going to have to start speaking more English out loud…and I know she can do it. She shyly nodded, a small grin of her face and eyes flaming with a sort of timid excitement. She turned back around and sat down.

Once every kid had their new books…I told them the surprises weren’t over yet! I then grabbed the two maps that I’d left outside and told that them these same people also bought 2 new maps for this classroom so there will be something on the walls now! We then took some pictures and hugged a bunch more and by that time the bell rung and class was over. I told everyone to bring any markers that they may have tomorrow – because we have some very fun and creative (thank you card) lessons ahead!

The best part for me, about this day was when I saw Toma run over to his mother after class and I heard him tell her in Kartuli what had happened…she smiled and nodded and told him that she already knew. He turned and looked at me – He couldn’t believe I’d been able to sneak this one by him – I had been able to keeep it a secret so he could be surprised  with the whole class!  All three of us smiled and school continued on that day.

Class picture

The maps and our completed Ice Cream Party poster!

Me and the gogonebi (girls)!

Me and the bitchebi (boys)!

We left our bags at the hostel, grabbed two other friends who were leaving in the next few days, and journeyed through the subway to TLG’s main headquarters. There they had to turn in their phones and take the Letter of Recommendation and Certificate of Completion that each volunteer receives. After a hearty MacDonald’s breakfast/lunch we headed back, grabbed our bags and took off for the airport! (Note to self: Never bring more than one bag while traveling or you will have to pay some pretty steep fees for the extra weight! Cajun had to learn this lesson the hard way today, poor guy.)

We said our goodbyes and Brian and I headed back to the city for a few drinks before I had to get back on a train headed for home. I got to see Bekki and the Marines once more as well and was soon enough settled into my cabin for the long ride home to Shroma!

T’bilisi just before winter hits!

I also got to meet Cajun’s host family that consists of a Father, Mother, Grandmother, and an adult Son with his newly wed wife. Plus, the neighbor’s child, Giorgi, spends everyday in their house with Grandma while his family works. His host mother cooks the most amazing Georgian style pizza with potatoes on it!

Another thing I’d have to say about Tchanieti is that it’s a LOT colder here! Most houses in Georgia are heated by the one iron stove in the kitchen/living room…so when you get in your own room at bed time it’s absolutely frigid. The window in his room didn’t even close entirely and on our last evening there we woke up to snow on the ground. Brrrrrr…

Cajun backed all his stuff and his host family drove us down to the train station in the evening. We waited there for about an hour before we said our goodbyes, I grabbed some snacks at a nearby shop, and we hopped into our carriage. On our way to T’bilisi to see Cajun off on his flight home to South Africa!

We have arrived!

The beautiful entrance to the village and school.

Cajun being silly with 3 of his younger classes combined. (My smallest class has 12 kids!)

It was 2 against 5, still not fair when Cajun’s on your team though.

All the Tchanieti boys

Goodbye Supra. Hello good times.

The man on the left was scratching his face when I took this picture…I swear.

Cajun, his 2 co-teachrs, and Mr. Katchapuri (aka: Mr. Cheesebread) in the background

Cajun and his Host Mother

Cajun and his Host Dad being goofs.

Little baby Giorgi, the neighbors kid, all bundled up for the walk home.

We danced the night away at a place called Vox and the next morning I sent the chalkboards and books back to Shroma on a marshrutka while I headed to Cajun’s village named Tchanieti. He was greeted by two of the cutest little girls who gave him berry branches and kisses. So stinking cute!

Berry branches and kisses for Cajun on our walk through his village.

As the brand new chalkboard got hung at just the right angle, the kids rushed to it and tore off the protective plastic covering. Then they all shouted something in my direction and soon enough someone was able to figure out what to say in English so I’d understand: “No looking” they shouted. So I turned my eyes away…waiting to see what they were going to do.

When I was allowed to turn back around I saw the most touching thing I think a teacher could see….We love you, was written on the board. They were all beaming at me, some of the girls eyes were filled with tears. We all hugged and danced and took more pictures. It was such a special moment I wish everyone who had donated and provided the grant could have been there. The bell rang to start the school day and all the kids jumped into their seats ready to see what class would be like with the new board.

As a side note: It took another 3 days to hang all the other boards. Some of the older chalkboards fell right off the wall while other had to be drilled out…and then since all the walls are concrete, hanging and installing each board was a special project unto itself. So I’d like to congratulate the men who figured it all out and got those boards up! This wasn’t an easy project but definitely one that will make a tangible and lasting change for the better!

Installation Step 1: Make sure the power drill works…

Installation Step 2: Gotta make sure it’s just right.

Installation Step 3: Unwrap the new present!

And then everyone joined in!!!

They even spelled my name right. (It’s usually: Mell, Melli, or Melon.)

It was so hard to calm down for a moment to get a group photo with the new chalkboard!

The most excited group of kids in Georgia today!

I invited Kanise and her English co-teacher Lana from the next village over, Cajun who helped me transport the boards, and a special guest: Marina. She is my TLG Regional Representative and if I have any questions or requests she is the woman I call first….which means we’ve spoken on the phone or over email at least once a week since I arrived!

Once we were all there we sat down to eat. As the supra progresses a person (usually a male) called the Tamada is ment to stand and give toast after toast and encourage others to do so. Since the old director, Zuri, was one of the few men present he took this responsibility and kept the party going. He toasted to GreenHeart Travel who provided the money to purchase the boards, the community and teachers who participated to make this project come together, to all who helped locate and transport the boards, as well as toasts to me, my family, my future family, my sister, her future family, the school, the children at the school, and the future children who will come to this school……you get the picture.

Each teacher stood to offer a thank you and say a few special words to me. My co-teacher Tamuna translated for all the English speakers in the room. Then came the moment for my toast. My host mother Nino had arrived (Toma was sick and was taken to town to get medicine today so she was late). So I stood up, took a deep breath and thanked my guests, all the teachers who work so hard, my co-teachers for teaching beside me, Marina who was vital to the project, and of course the woman who made everything possibly by allowing me to live in her home: Nino. I toasted lastly to Toma and all the children in the school who will have more opportunity because of our work. I wiped my tears and went over and gave Nino a very large hug and a tissue because she was a mess just like me. : )

After this Nino went over to the piano and the teachers started singing some Georgian songs. We danced and took photos and finished up eating. Later I sang Jingle Bells for all the teachers while Nino played it on the piano – we had practiced a few times at home – and oh how the teachers loved to hear a song in English!

Once we cleaned up we went into the hallway and opened the box with the chalkboards. We walked one of them up to a classroom and held it on the wall so the teachers could all see what they would look like once they were hanging! The energy was electric – nothing like this has ever happened to this school before and everyone felt honored to be a part of it.

This supra really brought out how much we all love and respect each other. I’ve only been here for 4 short months – but we have become a family. I’ve spent quality time with each of the people at the table – even if we didn’t always understand one another – there is mutual care and pride for the other. I am so proud of Shroma – the teachers and the students. And I am ever so grateful that I was in a position to provide a tangible change that improve this school.

My most special supra table

Yummy desserts for all!

Cajun and his family photos were as big of a hit as the new Chalkboards were!

And the celebration begins!

Inga and Zuri can’t help but dance!

From top left to bottom right: Rusiko, Me, Mzia, Kanise, Lana, and Marina (My TLG Regional Representative)

Bringing the first board out!

Me and Rusiko holding up the first board so everyone can see what it will look like when it’s hanging!!

However, after instilling the rule of putting their thumbs in the air when they are finished with their work or copying from the boards instead of shouting “Mas! Mas!” (Teacher! Teacher!) the class began to calm down and lessons started flowing more smoothly. They have continued to improve and I’m so happy that they will have one of the new chalkboards because theirs is one of the worst I teach with. Hurray 5th Graders!

This was their reaction when I told them they would be getting one of the new Grant Chalkboards!

One of the cutest boys in class, Tornike, and his signature wink!

The 5th Grader’s Special English Notebooks

I ordered 4 Chalkboards with the grant money but when we went to pick them up, they came in a bundle of 5….which worked out perfectly because we had extra money from the fundraising for the 6th Grades books and I needed one more anyhow! So, with 5 beautiful Chalkboards we got in a car and drove them to the marshrutka station. We had to wait about half an hour before the Shroma bus arrived and Cajun and Levani loaded them on.

I road with them home, we unloaded them at the house, and on Tuesday we will install them into the classrooms! Hopefully with friends and a local reporter to boot! Stay tuned!

Chalkboards and their proud protector!

And up they gooooo……

Levani safely securing them to the top of the marshrutka for the 2 hour ride home!

Later, we boarded another marshrutka headed to a village somewhere in the mountains (I can’t remember the name of it). We had been invited to join Peter for his goodbye supra. His village is one of the last few that still have a village chief!?

After a very yummy meal, many laughs with his host family and a few shots of chacha later…we walked down to his school to take a look. Cajun uploaded a language learning program onto the school’s computers and we wondered around for a bit until a neighbor gave us some homemade wine…and at some point we stumbled home and went to bed….thank goodness there are no pictures!

The next morning we made a running dash to catch the one and only marshrutka of the day at 9am and headed back to Batumi. (Everyone surprisingly still in one piece!)

Luka is in my 5th Grade class and makes a killer paper airplane!

My plane looked cool…but was a total dud!

I always stop at this Shwarma place upon arriving and departing Batumi. Like every, single, time. The lady knows me by name and I don’t even live in this city!

Got to play tourist for a bit this weekend… perfect way to spend an afternoon in autumn!

Picturesque right?

Mandarinis are the main crop grown in Shroma (and the region of Guria) and at one time when Georgian used to trade with Russia, they fetched a very high price. But ever since the boarders closed (I think during the Rose Revolution) it has been hard for these families to sell them at a reasonable price.

Nino told me that this whole area used to be rather wealthy but have had a hard time for the past decade. I’ve been wondering why Shroma is the way it is, and this explained a lot. For example, Shroma has a very large official looking government building with nothing in it, we have a tank memorial, and a decorative tile wall, and a very large school that is so far away from any of the nearby towns, and an old store front that has the word Petrol on it, also with nothing in it…. At one time, there was a lot of economic activity here. But not anymore.

Hearing all this was hard. My favorite class (the 6^th graders) are now 11 years old, so they have only known this reality. Nino’s story has made me even prouder to have won the grant to get the school new whiteboards. I know now that those boards are at the very least 10-11 years old, and it shows. I hope the boards will brighten the classes and give Shroma something new to be proud of.

I also want to say here that I am so very grateful to my host family for taking in an extra person to feed and live in their home. I hope I’ve improved their lives a little by being here and sharing who I am and what I know.

Mandarini…as far as the eyes can see…

This is about half of what was picked that day!

Crates and crates full…just waiting to be sold and eaten and savored!

Excuse me, What?

In the end we didn’t have electricity for 8 days total. This means no showers, everything in the fridge had to be thrown away, and all my electronics died. Not the end of the world per say…but still not a pleasant thing to happen.

All I can say is thank goodness I was gone for most of it!

I’ve had my eyes out for this license plate for months….and of course the day I find this one…2 others drive by as well. WTF?

After an entire week of not accessing the internet, I was greeted with more donations that have flowed in this past week. We are so close to reaching our total of $525 dollars to supply my 6th grade class with the Level 3 English books they will need for next semester! There are still three days left before I need to put in the order, so please send out this information to all those you know. Cheers!

Here’s the stats in our final days:

• 11 people have donated
• We have enough to purchase 14 books
• We only need $175 dollars more
• And we still have 3 days left!