Back to work!

Finally, sun in Batumi.  It seemed like it would never come!

If this weekend was all about exploring the history of this country, today was all about teaching it and seeing the future.  I taught a Georgian classroom of second graders some English,  and was so wildly successful, they begged to have me back again on Wednesday.  I observed a 4th Grade English class on the concepts of "bad, worse, worst" and "good, better and best" and helped students learn.

The most interesting lesson I saw today was in a Georgian literature class.  The students had read a short story and discussed the meaning of a character's death--was it fate?  who was responsible? and then watched a video made from the short story during the Soviet Era where the story was turned around to follow a Soviet storyline--of the aristocrats being evil and responsible for bad things and the farmers/peasant people being good.  The students then analyzed the two stories and talked about the meanings.  They did a really good job of thinking through the process, or at least I think they did...I have no idea what they actually said as they said it in Georgian.  :)

I then went to work with the inclusion teacher, who really is just a special education teacher, as they don't include her at all.  She is the nicest teacher and her students wanted to show me what they have learned.  She has so many challenges with so few resources...I keep pondering what I know how to do that can help.

Lunch was with Mama Shoo, which is what they call the head of school.  Here he is with a portrait of him that one of the children made.  He is a driving force behind so much of what is happening at St. Andrews.  He even wanted to make the school accessible for students, so he got a lift out of an old truck and installed it in the school so kids with mobility issues could at least come to school (which isn't the case throughout Georgia)  He is held in extremely high regard by staff and students who are constantly being hugged or joked with or given a blessing.  He has been working with us closely on ways to improve the school.

Mama Shoo and Nino took us to visit an orphanage/children's home for youth who either don't have parents or whose parents cannot take care of them.  I have to say I was rather meh about going, but I have to say it is one of the most beautiful places, spiritually, mentally and emotionally I have ever been.  

It began with a drive up another mountain  one and a half lane road (did I tell you that they are absolutely insane drivers there?)and Mama Shoo jamming with the kids on electric guitar as they played various songs for us  (including "What a Wonderful World")  Then we toured the children's workshop which is...AMAZING!

 Look at the work they are doing on those looms.

 One child designs dresses.  Another group embellishes jewelry.  Another group makes the MOST amazing felting art I have ever seen!  These were professional level works.  They were training the children in these beautiful arts that might help them find jobs when they leave the orphanage/school.  Before we left, we were treated to another amazing Georgian dance, a fruit spread that was delicious and time to snuggle the babies and toddlers.  They thought we were very fun!

As we left, we looked at the new monastery and women's college they were building.  It looked a lot like the ruins we have seen lately, but it was certainly better.

We then headed further up a different mountain to see the Convent of the Holy Trinity.  It was truly a beautiful sight.  We actually got inside the convent/monastery where few people get to go just because MamaShoo was there and told them to let us in.  We also got to see the inside of the church and the new mosaic, the first new one in a Georgian Church in 300 years. Of course, it was being created by the mother superior who runs the orphanage and creates beautiful art there... View from the mountain.

 Batumi Below

This is where the Russians kept their guns when they occupied the fort as a garrison

View from the church over villages

The uber cool monastery that Mama Shoo got us into (hey, that rhymed!)

This is where the Russians kept watch over the town during occupation.  You can't see it but there are little gun slots in the front.

View from the super special secret balcony at the monastery.

The new icon

Our evening ended with a surprise visit from another Nebraskan.  Jessica is here on a Fullbright program teaching at the University.  It was nice to go out and talk to another American for the evening and she took us to a wonderful European restaurant that served a delicious chicken Caeser salad.

It's midnight here and I have to teach in the morning.  Sorry I've been behind on my posting but pictures are taking forever to upload.