Georgia is a very small and old kingdom, located at the east end of the Black Sea bordering Turkey and Armenia, was the first area to which the Russia Command began to extend outside the borders of Russia.

Much of the population of Georgia lives in and around the capital city of Tbilisi.

After becoming independent from the former Soviet Union, Georgia faced major economic difficulties including a civil war which resulted in 340,000 internally displaced persons (IDP’S).

In 1801 Georgia became subjected to Russia, but after the russian revolution, 1917, Georgia was declared as independent. But in 1921 the Red Army Invaded the country, and in 1936 Georgia became a republic of the former Soviet Union, and during this time Georgia became famous for its cognac.

In 1991 Georgia became independent from the former Soviet Union, Georgia faced major economic difficulties including a civil war which resulted in 340,000 internally displaced persons (IDP’S). During this time, Georgia was experiencing massive political upheaval, culminating in November 2003. Thousands of people, tired of the corruption, poverty, and political stagnation in the country, demonstrated for weeks in Tbilisi and demanded the resignation of long-time leader, Eduard Shevardnadze.

Then on 23 November, leading the crowd and holding a long-stemmed rose in his hand, Mr Mikhail Saakashvili burst into the parliament. Mr Shevardnadze, surrounded by his bodyguards fled the building, and symbolically, power.

It became known as the Rose Revolution. Mr Saakashvili, elected president in January 2004, promised to clean up rampant corruption and lift Georgia out of the poverty and conflicts of the last decade.

Economy
Georgias economy has by tradition consisted of tourism (the Black Sea area), cultivation of citrous fruits and grapes, mining and some industrial production such as wine, metall, machines, chemicals and oil. Georgia is forced to import most parat of its energy supplies, mostly oil and natural gas. The only internal electrical production with some value, is water power. The country has, with help from IMF and the World Bank, left the internal disputes and attained a strong growth since 1995, and as a result of this, Georgias GNP is increasing and the inflation is descending.

The Georgian state suffers from a large budget loss as a result of some difficulties in collecting taxes, and some energy shortage. The electrical network became privatly financed in 1998, and since then the electrical system has been more reliable. Georgia are in good hope and looks forward to a new international transport channel through the harbors Poti and Batumi, at The Black sea.

Salvation Army in Georgia

In November 1992, The Salvation Army came to Georgia to set up a food distribution program for the Georgian people living in the aftermath of the civil war. Captain Michael Olson (USA Western Territory) arrived to supervise what grew into a large humanitarian aid effort. Captains Ronald and Linda Lee (USA Eastern Territory) followed Captain Olson, taking responsibility for the feeding program. Their ministry was coupled with an evangelistic focus that resulted in the opening of the Tbilisi Central Corps in November 1993.

At first, humanitarian aid (food and clothing) was airlifted in. Later it was brought in by ship and transported in truck convoys. At the height of the massive feeding program which spanned more than five years and was funded by US aid programs, more than 200,000 different people regularly received either dry rations (sufficient to prepare 20 meals), or ate five hot meals a week at an Army-sponsored location. Although the size of the feeding program was eventually scaled back, several of the corps continue providing as many as 130,000 hot meals per month for senior citizens, children, hospital patients, and those with disabilities.

Under the leadership of both expatriate and command-trained officers, soldiers have also been involved in corps worship programs conducted in Russian and Georgian, educational programs, clothing distribution, cultural enrichment programs for children, and spiritual training of soldiers.

In 1999, the Army opened a small vocational training center with the goal of alleviating the high rate of unemployment, particularly among the youth. Teachers provided training in basic language and math skills, construction work, secretarial competencies, and bookkeeping. Three small computer classrooms equipped with three computers each were later set up in villages where no other computers were available to the general population.

During the time for the Rose revolution, there were changes in the Salvation Army in Georgia as well. Officer Commanding Lt. Colonel Barry Pobjie installed Captain Giorgi (Gia) Salarishvili as the first national leader in the region of Georgia, on Saturday, 25th September, 2004. Captain Eka Salarishvili serves as the Regional Children and Youth Officer, as well as Candidate Coordinator. The Salarishvilis have two daughters, Mary and Ketie.

The Salvation Army corps in Georgia are an amalgam of nationalities and languages including Georgian, Armenian, and Russian

There are today about 10 corps in Georgia.

Activities:

* Sunday meetings
* Sunday school
* Bible studies
* Youth groups
* Prayer groups
* Home league

Social Services:

* Didi Digomi Children’s Centre
* Rustavi Youth Centre
* Parenting classes
* Water purification in villages
* Haircutting classes
* Computer training program

Hair cutting classes - Rustavi Corps, Georgia
This project gave young people the chance to learn a trade in a community where unemployment is high. Thirteen unemployed people attended the classes and 10 graduated. In the process many needy people received free haircuts.

The classes provided practical and spiritual support for these young people, building their confidence, giving them hope and strengthening vital links between the community and The Salvation Army.

The objectives of this project were to:

* provide haircutting classes which would allow people the opportunity to find jobs in the community

* allow The Salvation Army the opportunity to reach out into a needy community

* set up classes for 10 unemployed people and train them in the art of hairdressing (13 were eventually trained)

* provide free haircuts for the needy

* buy haircutting equipment for the graduates.


Classes were held three times a week - beginning with the theory and then moving on to the practical.

In the beginning the teacher would cut the hair while the students watched and learned how to hold scissors and a comb while cutting. After a period of time the students began cutting the hair themselves while being supervised by the teacher.

Clients for practice were found in the church, among relatives and in the local community. Also, half of the attendees from the pensioners' club received haircuts.

Haircuts were done for both ladies and men. For the men, students would use scissors and razors so they received experience in using different instruments.

During the study period 133 people received haircuts.

At the conclusion of the project, one student promised to give free haircuts to the church congregation.

At the conclusion of the course the students took an exam. Each student was independently cutting hair while the teacher evaluated the work. Out of 13 students, 10 successfully completed the exam. Each student received a gift - a set of instruments for haircutting. Following this, a dinner was held for the students, teacher and invited guests.

The project will continue because the students have now graduated and have become fully qualified hairdressers with the equipment and skills to continue in a new profession. All they need is a regular client base and time to grow a business or find a salon in order to progress further in their new skill.

The following pictures are some examples of projects, and how the Salvation Army has been able to help people in Georgia.