Georgian-American soldiers jointly renovate school in war-torn town

Georgian and American soldiers have served shoulder-to-shoulder in military drills and missions but now the sides are expanding their cooperation and rebuilding a public school in a central Georgian town that was ravaged by war.

The two nations’ soldiers are celebrating the end of a successful joint project to renovate and modernise the No.4 Public School in Gori, central Georgia, which was heavily damaged in the 2008 Russia-Georgia war.

Today the renovated school was opened at a special ceremony attended by military guests and Georgian officials.

The school rehabilitation project, financed by the United States Department of Defence’s European Command (EUCOM) and implemented by the Defence Field Cooperation Service of the United States Embassy to Georgia, has been officially completed.

The joint project was classified as Humanitarian-Civil support and aimed to promote a healthy life and inclusive education in Georgia. 

The school represents the strong relationship between Georgia and the US,” said the US Chargé d'Affaires in Georgia Nicholas Berliner.

Any merit put in the education field is invaluable. It is an investment in Georgia’s future,” he added.

Photo by Ministry of Defense of Georgia. 

Within the project the troops helped build a new gymnasium, painted walls, installed wheelchair-access ramps, fenced yards, erected railings and a staircase leading to the basement.

The soldiers also worked hard to ensure the school was accessible by the disabled community and plan to adapt the school’s elevator, which is due to open in the near future.

Georgia's Deputy Defense Minister Ana Dolidze. Photo by Ministry of Defense. 

Georgia’s Deputy Minister of Defence Ana Dolidze, Deputy Head of the General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Vladimer Chachibaia, Education Minister Tamar Sanikidze, other invited officials and US Embassy representatives attended the opening ceremony of the renewed school.