The association ATINATI is a non-governmental organization with the mission to
promote the establishment of a modern, healthy, educated and perfect society.
In order to meet this task the association has been implementing the educational
and third sector development programs and program of assistance for socially
insecure strata.
THE BACKGROUND AND HISTORY OF FOUNDATION
The association
ATINATI was founded in Zugdidi, Western Georgia in 1995. It was the first NGO in the city. Its foundation coincided with the complicated situation in the country: the breakdown of the Soviet system, conflict in Abkhazia and the post civil war period. The opening of boarders and establishment of various international humanitarian organizations in Zugdidi increased the demand on English speaking personnel. The situation of the IDPs, which need moral assistance and pecuniary aid, was very complicated. Despite such background the NGO sector was forming in the society through the aforementioned 3 directions, the association ATINATI was founded.
SINCE THE DAY OF ITS FOUNDATION THE ATINATI HAS BEEN WORKING IN THREE DIRECTIONS:Edukation- there was a foreign language Center founded under the association. There are 200 students of different ages studying a foreign language at English, German and French departments of the center. The Zugdidi branch of ETAG (English Teachers Association of Georgia) was founded in Zugdidi in 1996. The administration of the center pays great attention to raising the qualification of the teachers. They attend different training’s systematically.
- There is a club of so-called pen friends functioning at the Center, The pupils of Zugdidi have established contacts with British and American children of their age.
- There is a library at the Center, which counts more then 2500 English, around 600 German and French books. The library is also open to the students of Zugdidi University.
- The Center often the British and American staff of the Zugdidi based information organizations that talk to the listeners about the history, culture and stations of their in English.
Assistance of NGO Development
– Free Informative/Consultative Service
(ICS) for NGO Development functions
with the association. It gives juridical and informational consultations to the representatives of NGOs, helps them with preparing constitution and documentation. The training group works in this service, which organizes or carries out trainings itself.
ICS quarterly issues the directory of Zugdidi NGOs.
Assistance for Socially Unprotected Strata
– In this direction with support of other donors "ATINATI" has implemented
several projects of psychosocial rehabilitation for IDP and local population.
Since 1998 these projects included approximately 10000 people.
- In 1997-98 with help of UNICEF it implemented the project "Psychosocial
Rehabilitation Week-end School for IDP Children".
- In 1998 together with UNV, local NGOs TRUST and FDHR, ATINATI implemented
the project "Emergency Psychosocial assistant to secondary displaced people".
- In 1998-2000 together with AED, it implemented the project "Youth development".
100 youth have learnt English, Computer and alternative ways of conflict
resolution, basics of NGO and small business development free of charge.
14 youth have been to USA peace camp together with their Abkhazian mates
within the project.
- ATINATI has implemented Community Development projects in four villages of Samegrelo, with collaboration of Counterpart International.
- ATINATI has successfully worked in 5 villages in Western Georgia within the UMCOR project Agriculture Development.
- Together with UNV association implemented micro-credit project for IDP women.
Currently association is implementing following projects with international organizations and donors support:
- UMCOR project Zugdidi Youth House. The purpose of the project is psychological rehabilitation for IDP and local children and youth and to organize educational and perceptional activities. 4 free educational sections function for IDP and local children aged from 10 to 15 in Zugdidi Youth House. Psychological activities are also conducted for those children.
- Dutch organization WAR CHILD project Psychological Assistance for Post War Traumatized Children. The goal of the project is psychological rehabilitation for war traumatized IDP children
- From January 2002 ATINATI will begin implementing IREX project Internet at the fireplace, which considers creating free Internet service center in ATINATI.
- At ATINATI functioning local radio FM 105,9. Informational, educational and entertaining programs go to the air. Basic purpose of the radio is to inform the population and to activate their position of citizenship. Currently it is implementing UNV project
"Psychological Assistance of Youth" with help of radio.
- In year 2003 and 2004 implemented training and consultancy component of the State Program for Temporary and Permanent Employment of the Unemployed Persons.
