Following a two-year suspension, the Georgia for Georgia Mission trip successfully returned to service. A team of twelve, including seven first-time participants, embarked on a 24-hour journey to a country surrounded by politically volatile regions. Under the leadership of Edith Barnes and Jean Nottingham, the team’s primary objective was to engage with all 400 children enrolled in the Sponsor A Child Program.

The Georgia for Georgia Sponsor a Child Program is dedicated to breaking barriers to education for over 400 students in four schools. They provide more than just meals; they offer a path to a brighter future. By giving students a nutritious daily lunch, warm winter coats and boots, and essential medical and dental care, it ensures they are healthy and prepared to learn. The goal is to keep these students in school, guide them toward graduation, and set them on a path toward vocational training and a successful future.

During the trip, the team delivered essential supplies, including clothing (coats, sweaters, hats, and scarves), socks, and shoes. The mission also provided meals, craft supplies, and gifts for the children. The journey included visits to the Georgian cities of Tbilisi, Zestaponi, Kutaisi, and Batumi. In Chiatura, they hosted a dinosaur-themed egg hunt for 28 special needs children. The team also visited the Kitski and Etseri schools, where they facilitated “farm day” and “beach day” activities. The Kitski school, which serves 130 students in grades 1 through 12, benefits from ongoing Georgia for Georgia support with books for the library and wood for heating in the brutal winters. This year, the Etseri school, also a 1st-12th grade institution with 130 students, saw a marked increase in enrollment, which is attributed to the organization’s generous contributions.

The mission delivered a total of 880 lbs. of supplies, comprising clothing, craft materials, gifts, vitamins, and basic medical supplies donated by patrons. Additionally, the team purchased and distributed bananas, a local delicacy, at each school. A significant contribution was made by team member and Dentist Laney Smith, who provided dental hygiene supplies and demonstrations to the children.