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Rioni One Day Birthday for Everyone! May 2012

In May Rioni Institution Children and Youth Celebrated the Day for All! Dear Donor Helped with the celebration. the children had Wonderful Time together - tried beautiful cakes, received gifts - lots of Fun and Joy!

May 28, 2012

Photos: 21

APRIL 2012

Tamuna visited Rioni in April and took these photos of the children at their Birthday Party~a gift of a donor. Ordinarily they never celebrate birthdays. The older youth are also taking hairstyling classes. To date three Rioni youth have found work as hairstylists after they have aged out! The deliveries of nutritional food and needed medicines continues. As you see, the children/youth are very healthy!

May 1, 2012

Photos: 19

RIONI March 2012

This has been an unusally cold and snowy winter for Georgia, and the Rioni children/youth were thrilled with their very warm jackets! They also received sturdy and warm leather shoes. The daily nutritional meals and medical attention and medicines continue thanks to Sponsor a Child. We have been able to continue with the hair-styling vocational training, which is very popular. We hope to offer other classes. Rioni has also welcomed disabled children ~ they can hear, but have physical disabilities. All come from the poorest segment of society. Rioni is the only Deaf school in all of the western region.

Mar 23, 2012

Photos: 27

December 2011 Visit

Tamuna visited Rioni in December and found the children/youth warm, happy and healthy! Thanks to Sponsor a Child they continue to get nutritious food, needed medicines and in January will also get new sturdy leather shoes! A donor has also give us money to purchase new winter coats for each child! Watch for the January update. We thank you for your support this past year ~ it has meant more than you ever will know. Didi Gmadloba

Jan 5, 2012

Photos: 22

Christmas JOY 2011

Santa visit the Rioni children on December 23rd and they were just thrilled. This year Santa even wore an American red suit ~ What a Treat!!! Usually "Snow Granny" wears his traditional white robe. The children danced and performed ~ they "feel" the beat of music on the wooden floor. They were thrilled with their gift bags filled with fruit, candy and presents! The balloons and festive decoration certainly expressed their spirit!!

Dec 28, 2011

Photos: 46

2011 FALL MISSION TRIP

The team spent a wonderful day with the children of Rioni. As always they love arts & crafts.They're very talented. The younger children made jewlery using lots of beads and then made pictures with stickers. The older children/youth made intricate masks. We played with a huge parachute, juggled with scarves and threw hoops with basketballs we brought. We handed out bananas, which are always a treat. Each child/youth received a hand-knit doll made by Roseann. Even the older boys were asking for their dolls! The kitchen staff received embroidered aprons made by the PRUMC Sewing Guild. Vaso will be distributing warm hand-knit & crocheted caps soon. The children are healthy, happy and growing. Three youth are recipients of art scholarships funded by a donor so they take private classes in Kutaisi!

Oct 24, 2011

Photos: 52

Rioni Art Exhibit

The Patriarchate of Georgia invited the Rioni children and youth to participation in an arts and crafts exhibit in Tbilisi. It was held in the Conference Hall of the Tbilisi Trinity Church. All the materials used in these crafts were purchased by PRUMC and its donors. The exhibition was very successful and after the event the Celibate Priest came over to bless the children and Rioni Institution.

Jun 21, 2011

Photos: 13

MAY - JUNE 2011

Tamuna recently visited Rioni and was pleased with the well-being of the children. They are still enjoying the exercise equipment and were delighted to receive sports shoes and sports clothes! Food supplements and medical assistance truly make a difference. It is so important that these deaf children stay healthy. The vocational training of hair styling is still very popular (taught by a deaf stylist from Kutaisi).

Jun 13, 2011

Photos: 65

RIONI APRIL 2011

Thanks to our new sponsors of a Rioni deaf child we have been able to continue providing nutritious food, medicines, and provide dental care. Terry from PRUMC visited in March and brought gifts which the children at PRUMC had gathered for the Advent Workshop. She also brought candy! Thanks to a donor the electric bills are paid so the children can have heat. It has been an unusually severe winter. We thank our 2011 Sponsors for their generosity and compassion!

Apr 14, 2011

Photos: 51

RIONI FEBRUARY 2011

Tamuna visited Rioni at the end of January and found all the children very healthy and happy, thanks to Sponsor a Child. They continue to get nutritional food, medicines, dental care ~ plus other treats such as part supplies. A private donor pays the utility bill so they can have heat. The older youth still enjoy the weight and workout equipment a private donor gave several years ago. The children are very artistic and thanks to Natalie, their instructor, they make beautiful crafts and art! We hope you will consider re-sponsoring your child for 2011. Thank you very much. Didi Gmadloba!

Feb 8, 2011

Photos: 26

CHRISTMAS JOY 2010

On December 21st Vaso and Father Christmas/Snow Granny delivered Christmas to the children at Rioni! They wait all year long for this day which his filled with dancing and celebration. Each child received a big bag filled with fruit, traditional candies, chocolates and little toys! They celebrated in the "solarium/acquarium" which one of our teams painted ! It was a day of Joy indeed.

Dec 29, 2010

Photos: 28

NOVEMBER at RIONI

Sponsor a child's purchase of nutritional food and medicines is essential fro Rioni. Of course deaf children have more medical needs and seem more prone to flu and infections. Our medical supplements include hygiene items as well. We also provide dental care which is a luxury in Georgia. It has become too expensive for most people. An private PRUMC donor pays for all the electric bills at all our institutions in the winter months ~ allowing the children to have heat. The government put in heaters at Rioni but doesn't gie them money for fuel/electricity. We also fnd a hairstling vocational training - the professional stylist is himself deaf. We have also helped with other needs which Irina mentions-such as paper supplies. We also bring the art/sewing teacher, Natalie lots of glitter,fabric, threads,etc.

Dec 9, 2010

Photos: 41

FALL MISSION TEAM at RIONI 2010

The 2010 Mission team had a great day at Rioni on Monday, October 4th. We had lots of art planned ~ along with activities in the gym. Irina, the Director, has received outside assistance with many renovations and it was wonderful to see all the improvements. During the year we collected Christmas cards and took over 600 "fronts" with us. One of the projects at several institutions was to make Christmas wreaths using our Christmas cards (an idea from Wendie Britt). They also used single cards to make their own ornaments. This was a huge success. The Rioni children are very, very artistic and created lovely masterpieces. We also had two groups who did water colors - of boats and another using curved/straight lines. After everyone had made their creations we played with a huge parachute in the gym. We also had handkerchiefs for juggling and basketball for shooting hoops - all was going on at once. We handed out Bananas - thanks to the Timothy Class.

Oct 26, 2010

Photos: 51

JUNE VISIT to RIONI

Tamuna visited Rioni in June and found the children healthy and happy. Thanks to Sponsor a Child these children receive medical check-ups and medicines, which their families cannot provide. Many of the children have other health issues in addition to being deaf - physical and mental. Three Rioni Students received special donor stipends to study art in Kutaisi - they are very gifted! We have helped one particular child whose pictures are shown who was born without ears. We are hoping to find a surgeon in Tbilisi to operate IF in fact he does have canals and would be able to hear. The older boys enjoy their weight rooom! Everyone loves sports and also art projects. Most of these children come from families who are extremely poor and cannot even give them basic food, let alone medical attention.

Jun 25, 2010

Photos: 58

MARCH Visit to RIONI

Thanks to Sponsor a Child the Rioni (deaf) children receive much needed medicines, hygiene items, dental check ups, medical check ups and 3 hearty, nutritional meals a day. These photos are of the children helping unload supplies and the little ones playing in the gym. Your generous gifts truly are life-essential. Just to see these happy faces tells a story itself. Thank you!

Apr 14, 2010

Photos: 36

FEBRUARY VISIT to RIONI

Tamuna always loves visiting Rioni and the deaf children love her. She brought PRUMC Advent Workshop gifts which were a big hit. She also viewed the wonderful renovations paid for by the Polish ambassador and also local government. To see the renovated gym, kitchen and bathrooms is amazing. Sponsor a Child still provides for the nutritional and medical checking/care and dental checking for these children. Thanks to a private donor we helped defray heating costs. The government put in heating but didn't give them money to pay the bills. Another PRUMC donor bought gym equipment and three gifted youth received scholarships to attend a special Art Scool. One of the best things PRUMC does is a hairstylist workshop which gives these youth a trade once they must leave by 20.

Mar 6, 2010

Photos: 31

CHRISTMAS JOY for Rioni

The children/youth of Rioni celebrated Christmas a little later this year. Irina, the Director, closed Rioni in December due to fears of H1N1. However, we were able to bring our Celebration in January! Enjoy the photos of happy children ~ they performed for Father Christmas ~ aka Snow Granny. They enjoyed cakes, candy and special limonade drinks - and then each child and caregiver was given a gift bag with fruit, candy and a little gift. All of this is made possible each year by PRUMC's Christmas Kindness December Fundraising Program. Thank you one and all!

Feb 11, 2010

Photos: 56

NOVEMBER 2009 RIONI

The Fall Team spent a day at Rioni in October, but not all the children were yet there because of renovations. We did, however, paint/color bandanas and handed out UMCOR health kits and school bags. Our assistance is crucial for Rioni ~ these children, who are maginalized because of their health challenges, need nutritional food, medicines and a safe environment to study and live.

Dec 8, 2009

Photos: 28

FALL MISSION TEAM RIONI October 5th, 2009

On Monday, October 5th the PRUMC Georgia Team of 13 visited Rioni School for the Deaf. They have been under major renovations (thanks to a grant from the Ambassador of Poland) and so the children were just coming back to school. There are 54 children from various villages in this western region. We had a delightful day which was spent helping the children paint their bandanas ~ of course they also loved tattoos and balloons. We also brought with us Hospital Art from Atlanta, which will be hung after the renovations are completed. We also gave out UMCOR school bags. The common "language" of hugs and kisses seemed to work just perfectly. Once again we are amazed at the artistic talents of these children. Three of the older students receive scholarships to Art School from private donors!

Nov 4, 2009

Photos: 28

JUNE 2009 RIONI

Thanks to Sponsor a Child, the children at Rioni continue to flourish - they are growing and are in excellent health. Balanced and nutritional meals, consistent medical care, vitamins, dental care and medical check ups have made all the difference. Often a sponsor asks what else they can do for their child or institution and at Rioni we have had such special donors. One family paid for all the utility bills all winter so Rioni could be heated! Another donor bought weights and work out equipment so the youth could build up their bodies and also their self esteem. We even have vocational training - a hairstyling workshop! The sustainability of the Sponsor a Child program enables this children to grow and have hopes of a normal life outside of Rioni! Thank You!

Jul 13, 2009

Photos: 48

MARCH 2009 Visit

Tamuna visited Rioni in March and the children were thrilled. She found the classrooms in good condition and the kitchen renovated. The PRUMC heaters helped keep the bedrooms warm this winter and a private donor paid all the utility bills! They have a new full-time nurse and the government's medical vouchers free up Sponsor money to be used for much-needed shoes and clothing. We will continue dental care as that is not covered. The older boys are really enjoying their new gym equipment - given by a private donor - and now are even competing! A private donor is also funding four very gifted Rioni youth in Art Classes. For Jan-March the government did not allot any funds whatsoever to Rioni but thanks to Sponsor a Child the 55 Rioni children did receive nutritional food and medicines! Thank You!!

Apr 14, 2009

Photos: 61

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2009 RIONI

Thanks to sponsor a child, the food supplements and medical care continue in spite of lack of any government funding (they have changed Ministries and there is a "glitch" in financing). We thank you for your continued support of these at-risk children. The children of Rioni have additional needs since they are deaf and many have other physical disabilities. The older boys were thrilled with a special gift from a private donor ~ a weight room. We have dumb bells also ordered, but as you see this equipment really enhances their self-esteem and health.

Mar 6, 2009

Photos: 35

CHRISTMAS JOY Dec 2008

Thanks to our sponsors and the Christmas Kindness annual giving at PRUMC the children at Rioni School for the Deaf had a wonderful, memorable Christmas Joy Celebration! Father Christmas came with his gifts (sacks of goodies assembled by Vaso and his family). The children love to perform and dress up so the older ones had a Christmas Play for the younger children, teachers and care givers. Everyone enjoyed elaborate and delicious cakes and candies ~ soft drinks ~ and all sorts of treats! It certainly was a day to be remembered ! THANK YOU for this Christmas gift!!

Jan 20, 2009

Photos: 62

FALL-WINTER 2008

Due to the recent Conflict in Georgia, the September Team had to be postponed. Very last minute four from PRUMC were able to travel to Georgia and in November we visited Rioni! We were thrilled to see all the improvements made over the year and to see that the children are so much healthier. They have really grown, their complexions are better and they were very healthy! The new Director, Irina, has hired a Sports Director who is also deaf. We are hoping to get a donor to fund renovating the gym which the team did back in 2002 but it gets a lot of use and needs it again. The children still love the hairdressing vocational training which is also taught by a deaf stylist. The Sponsor a Child program has made a huge difference at Rioni! We were thrilled to see all the children again! We painted murals, gave out balls & bananas, & gave them tatoos and balloons & stickers. A fun visit!

Dec 27, 2008

Photos: 44

JUNE 2008

In June Tamuna spent a day at Rioni with the children - there are currently 52 deaf children at Rioni and the new Director seems very resourceful and takes wonderful care of the children. Hopefully the government will help with the heat next year. We purchased heaters and helped pay their utility bills. Our food supplements and medicines are truly helping ~ the deaf children are more susceptible to respiratory and other infections and without our aid they would be left untreated. The team looks forward to seeing all the children in September - we have a day of sports and crafts already planned!

Jul 9, 2008

Photos: 21

MARCH APRIL 2008

The medical needs at Rioni are great - mostly because the children have more respiratory problems and, of course, ear-related problems. Thanks to Sponsor a Child we have been able to provide much-needed medicines and medical and dental check-ups. These growing children need nutritional food (and clothes) and thanks to you, we are able to provide meat, vegetables, fresh fruit, cheese, cottage cheese....and a little candy for good measure. Sine they are now growing with the increased food - we have been providing shoes, warm up suits and sweaters and jackets! The older children always look out for the younger ones. The needs at Roni are many but we are making a huge difference! Thank you!

Apr 29, 2008

Photos: 33

CHRISTMAS JOY 2007

The only Christmas these children celebrate is Peachtree Road's Christmas Joy!! We hire Father Christmas to come - bearing gift bags. Vaso and his family assemble a gift bag for every child and there is a day filled with a huge banquet and games. The children dress up - we provide costumes and everyone is in a very festive spirit. Thank You!!! The New Beginnings Class bought electric heaters and the Sponsor a Child program paid for the utility bills this winter. This was the coldest winter since 1911 !!! The bikes were are gifts of a private donor! How blessed we are to have such generous friends!!

Dec 20, 2007

Photos: 22

FALL MISSION TRIP 2007

The Fall team spent a day with the students of Rioni, School for the Deaf. We took balls and lots of art supplies. We bought pillow cases in country and brought in with us indelible colored pens. The children were asked to create their own pillow cases. God certainly has blessed them with other gifts - their artistic abilities are amazing. three youth have private sponsors who are sending them to a special art school. Rioni is the only Deaf School in the entire Western Region of Georgia. The art teacher, Natalie, works with them constantly. The team also brought fresh fruit and UMCOR book bags which we handed out at the end of our stay. We love playing basketball and also doing the crafts. This year we noticed more physically challenged children there as well. It was a grand day. The Gym which you see was renovated by our 2002 Team and is used every day!

Oct 2, 2007

Photos: 59

MID-YEAR 2007

Throughout the year in addition to the medical and food supplements, we also try to fund special projects. For the last two years we have funded a Hairstyling Vocational Training. This year we hope to find funding for a Shoemaking Vocational Training !! We provided the materials for a playground and the staff provided the manpower. It is always teamwork... we work side-by-side to help improve the lives of these precious deaf children! Thank you for your support!

Aug 21, 2007

Photos: 29

Lynn
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