Create an English Room for Khoni's 1st School

Hello, or გამარჯობა for my friends in Georgia!

Until August of 2025, I had the honor of serving as an English teacher/co-facilitator with the Peace Corps. For 29 months in total, I worked and lived in Khoni, a beautiful town in the region of Imereti, in the glorious country of Georgia.

I arrived pre-pandemic in 2019-2020 until there was a worldwide evacuation of all volunteers and all of our lives were altered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024 I shocked my cohort peers and myself when I became the sole volunteer to return to complete the original 27-month term of service (plus 2 months more).

Why did I return?

Well, it certainly wasn't because I had to. At press time, I am a 46-year-old woman with diverse skills and interests. But the calling I felt to serve in the Peace Corps at age 5 (was it the sense of adventure? The cool videos about travel to so-called "exotic" places?) remained. After being evacuated alongside nearly 7,000 volunteers worldwide, I felt incomplete. I wanted to return and finish the job.

People are the Reason...

The friends, colleagues, and students I met in Khoni, were the real reason to return. In some ways, Khoni reminded me of my hometown of Great Falls, Montana--small-ish but not too small; a place where people know each other and neighbors help neighbors. The biggest difference were the street cows--my favorite part.

მივდივარ ზროხებით! (I go by cow), I'd say, patting myself on the back at my joke said in Georgian.

Why fundraise now?

I had planned to acquire a grant for the school through the US Government, but the school underwent massive renovation during my second time there, so I was unable to complete the application process. I was and am, however, committed to raising funds for the goal of creating an English-specific classroom (known as an "English Cabinet" to Georgians).

So...that's why this fundraiser exists. To make good on the second part of my promise: to help install an English-only room for my beloved 1st School when the renovations are complete this upcoming school year. The appreciation level of the school will be unparalleled and the funds will be used in the most optimal way possible.

Thank you for considering a donation of any amount!

დიდი დიდი მადლობა (many many thanks)

Susan (სუზი)