Social Project of the Bakhvi 1 HPP in Mtispiri Public School and Kindergarten

Mtispiri is located in Ozurgeti municipality, to the right of the river of Bakhvistskali, at an elevation of 300 m above sea level, in some 16 km from Ozurgeti. The Mtispiri community covers Mtispiri proper, and Oqrosqedi, Ukanava and Vanisqedi. Mtispiri is a kind of center of the community; respectively, a public school is located there, which serves school children from all four villages. There's also a kindergarten in the village with 9 employees and 21 children, while the school accommodates some 100 students and 18 teachers.  Both the kindergarten and school are served by the same vehicle.

The learning process in Mtispiri, as in other parts of Georgia, was resumed on October 4. It is worth mentioning that the school welcomed the students with a renewed library and computer laboratory, while some video cameras have been installed along the school perimeter.

Nana Cheishvili - Acting Director of Mtispiri Public School of Ozurgeti district

„Assistance by the Bakhvi 1 HPP Project is extremely significant for us. The books in the library were outdated, but today we welcome our students with a series of new books. As you know, contemporary literature plays an essential role in the juveniles development process. One can find here scientific literature, as well as fiction for extra classroom reading. The full renewal of computer lab will be undoubtedly welcomed by everybody in the school. When the internet has become a fundamental part of our daily lives, juveniles should have access to it. Many children do not have computers at home, while in this lab they can easily search for needed information and do their assignments. The laboratory doors are open both for students and teachers. We could only respond to this gift with our academic successes."

The Bakhvi 1 HPP Project team purchased new toys, utensils and a widescreen smart TV so much needed and long wished for by the kindergarten children.

Maya Chavleishvili - representative of the Ozurgeti Mayor in the Mtispiri community  

„Together with the Bakhvi 1 HPP Project team members, we had a number of meetings in all four villages of the Mtispiri community. A lot of problematic issues were voiced, though some urgent issues were raised by the public school and kindergarten directors. The Bakhvi 1 HPP team promised to resolve these issues and fulfilled their promise by the beginning of a new academic year. Both the school and the kindergarten welcome the children with renewed equipment and stock. New toys and utensils, as well as a widescreen smart TV set so much needed for the learning process are extremely valuable and we are grateful to the Bakhvi 1 HPP Project management for that."

David Mikeladze, CCEH HYDRO VI ESG Manager, explains the purpose of these activities:

„Currently the ESG team of the project is actively engaged with the local population and all stakeholders. During the meetings we aim to identify the needs so that we can design most relevant social projects to be implemented at the next phase of Bakhvi 1 HPP approval in the villages located in the immediate vicinity of the project area. During the meetings we receive valuable information and add to the vision we already have about the type of social projects to offer to the local residents. Our goal is to ensure a high level of engagement of the local population in defining a package of social projects.  

In the process of studying the information received, certain needs have been identified that would require a quick response. We, as a company with a high level of social responsibility, have formed constructive and business relationship with the Mtispiri community. As a result of studying the needs voiced by the locals, we have strongly felt the need to immediately tackle the problems facing the local juveniles, i.e. equip the school with services and utilities and improve its infrastructure. In this context, assistance provided directly meets the company's long-term and sustainable goals since we strongly believe that high-quality education is a critical prerequisite for country development."