Campaign content
How it all began
Chances are all around us, but are we able to see them? how can we become aware of them?
Since starting university, various self-development opportunities have unfolded for me, every time surprising me, even though they were there all along. This was followed by a sense of regret, wondering which other chances I might have missed out on, and questioning "where I had been before" to be able to seize these opportunities. The understanding that finding, and sometimes also creating self-development opportunities is strongly connected with each individual’s mindset became even more apparent to me after graduation.
Hello, my name is Vazha and I would love to tell you more about a simple idea that I think can be truly significant for the young people living in Bagdati municipality.
Along with my father who is a university professor, I have often engaged in civic and professional activities at rural schools located in Bagdati municipality. In this process, we came to realize that outside of school, there are no informal spaces for young people where young people could connect more and have access to more informal education.
This inspired me to create a non-formal space for young people in the village of II Obcha in Baghdati Municipality: "Knowledge Oda", offering communal areas, a library and computer spaces.
What we’ve been up to so far
In 2020, when life came to a slower pace due to the pandemic, I began spending more time in my village. Coming home with all my energy and ideas, I started seeing the village through new eyes. That was the exact moment when my father and I started working on "Knowledge Oda" at the base of our old “Oda” type house. I see it as honouring our roots and origins while bringing in new ideas, energy and activities, making "Knowledge Oda" a place where the old and new merge into a space to holistically view our world of today. Practically, the exterior of the building is almost finished and the space is ready for interior renovation.
Surprising as it may be, there is not a single space for youth for informal interaction. Thus, the main source of learning remains at school, where teaching formats are still partially informed and triggered by the effects of the pandemic. “Knowledge Oda” is relatively close to the four schools of neighbouring villages, providing an excellent opportunity for youth to unite around the idea of obtaining more informal education.
The future we envision
If we are to be inclusive in the future that is unfolding, informal education and spaces for inspiration must become more present and accessible to all, especially those who are often most cut off. Empowering rural youth to become actively engaged and play a decisive role in shaping their environment for the future is therefore crucial.
Practically, the physical space is almost ready. For the final stage, interior reconstruction, furniture and electronic equipment are required. Afterwards, fundraising activities will ensue, enabling training sessions and workshops on human rights, civic activism and environmental protection issues. After university studies, participation in international forums and conferences and working in the non-governmental sector, I feel confident that my engagement with youth will be successful in the three areas named.
"Knowledge Oda" will actively cooperate with the civic sector working in this specific region of Georgia to make the space as diverse as possible - enriching it with their projects, and strengthening the youth living in Baghdad Municipality.
Here’s to rural empowerment!
Follow Knowledge Oda for more news on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Knowledgeoda
