The Virtual Foundation - your donation makes it happen

Ex Libris: New Hope for an Ancient Society

Region: Caucasus, Georgia
Author: Society Varketili, Gogi Dzamukashvili
Consortium Member: Horizonti
Status: Completed - Final Report Budget: $1091 Collected: $1091 Needs: $0
Result: To open a public library in the Varketili district of Tbilisi, Georgia; to support residents of the district with information and access to news media so that they may become familiar with and involved in the changes in their society.
Donors: Marion Butler and friends, with Virtual Foundation Matching Funds [July 1998]
Comment: Varketili is one of the poorest suburbs of Tbilisi, Georgia. Most residents cannot afford a newspaper. Opening a public library is vitally important for the local community. It will fill the information deficit that was created by the financial and political crises.

Project Need

Varketili is a suburb of Tbilisi (the capital of Georgia) with a population of 70,000, which was built about 15 years ago. Since then it has never had its own theatre, cinema or polyclinic, as many other districts have in Tbilisi. The district is in a very difficult situation with no good roads, destroyed green cover and with many street dogs. In addition, the district still lacks electricity and water supply. The garbage service is delayed for several days. There are no places for children and elderly to relax; there are no sport halls either. Due to the energy crisis the local population is not able to receive news in a timely fashion. Many people in the district cannot even afford buying newspapers as one newspaper costs in average 40 cents and average salary or pension of elderly people is equivalent to 10-20 dollars. Varketili is the one of the poorest districts in Tbilisi where still a significant number of intelligentsia lives. As such, the organization thinks that opening of a public library is vitally important for the local community. It will fill out the information deficit that is created at times.

Project goals

The main goal of the project is to open a public library in the Varketili district and to overcome the information deficit and also to support elderly of the district to become familiar with the ongoing changes in the society through providing them the opportunity of utilizing the public library free of charge. Project Implementation and distribution in time: The project considers allocating a room from the Society Varketili's office, which is located in the center part of Varketili district and turning it into a public library. The library will work everyday from 11 am - 6 pm. The library will sign contract with a local post department on receiving different magazines and newspapers. The readers will have the opportunity to read regular newspapers and magazines as well as the publications published by other Georgian not-for-profit organizations, which will also be free of charge. The project will last seven months in total. In the first stage Varketili will subscribe for newspapers for the six months period of time and will equip and prepare the library with necessary facilities and telephone. In the second stage the library will start functioning and serving its clients.

Expected results

  1. Increased information within local community on ongoing changes in the country as well as in the NGO sector in general.
  2. Educated population on Varketili's activities (more people will want to learn on its activities and join the organization).
  3. Activated and informed community motivated to cover library expenses for the next year themselves.

Mission Statement

The Society Varketili as a community-based organization was established in 1995. The Society Varketili has about 500 members and it serves to respond the needs of Varketili district. Since its establishment the Society has conducted a number of charity actions and helped poor families, disabled children and refugees. It has also arranged athletic completions and exhibitions for the district residents. Society Varketili has built a public garden/park and created neighborhood ambulance center in Varketili district at which over 5,000 residents of the district had gone through medical service. The Society conducts regular meetings with state and public representatives as well as with international donors.

Budget

Newspaper subscription (6 months/16 newspapers) $484
Magazine subscription (6 months/4 magazines) $37
Installment of a telephone $310
Kerosene heater $50
Bank service @ 1% $10
Unexpected expenses $100
VF Administrative Cost (10%) $100
Total $1091
Remark: Expenses for the rent of the building, telephone communication and kerosene for the heater will be covered by the Society Varketili.