#muraba

Its been an adjustment not flying monthly somewhere, to work, be with dear friends and family. This flight will add to my million plus.

If your following me on Facebook or this blog, this past month has been a whirlwind of progress. My primary work is to support and facilitate economic growth, predominantly in tourism and earnestly in agriculture. My secondary work which is well integrated into my primary work involves   empowerment of women. by offering training, facilitating camps through technology and lots of coffee.  

I am working on a number of projects. 

Currently, I am writing two grants for  women and youth camps. Both take place in the summer. Thus, my blogging has slowed. Plus I am writing a book, but its not a blog on travel, love or business, rather quirky mystery that spans 100 years.

One grant  focuses on women’s health and fitness for 50 girls. I am teaming with a local non-profit organization and volunteers. There are two five day camps representing two separate and diversified regions of the Country.  This Peace Corp led camp is entering its 13th year and its second year of collaboration with a Georgian Organization.

The other grant proposal is a will  hosts14 school girls on a 4 day Google Map excursion, where the youth will visit women businesses, historical sites and learn the community impact of supporting business on the internet. This Camp/excursion  is supported by the Local Public School and ZRDA Organization. ZRDA   means “growth” In Georgian. 

Super Cool, I am participating a You Tube Pilot series with a local TV station and 4 other trainers. Each trainer creates their material, is filmed and edited.  The series is includes five  10-15 minute training clips for businesses. You guessed, mine is on technology ‘Being on the Internet”.  Below is the local TV crew and a  our energetic project  lead Volunteer Laci. And real green screen!  The pilot will reach remote areas of Georgia with a training series on business. 

I entered into a “video Challenge” a Peace Corp competition to meet Goal#3 of the Peace Corp. “To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.” If you would click here and “like”. that would be excellent. 

The video features a local women telling me a story of “Muraba”. A sugar glazed topping which is made from almost anything. The video shows the making of Orange (Marmalade) Muraba. Its been painfully subtitled and edited. My first effort at editing, where I quickly learned I needed software, lots of it.  

Thanks if you clicked on it. This is really easy to make and the recipe works for any seasonal fruit.  Georgians have Muraba with morning tea and small cakes. Its a great topping for pancakes and better than syrup!

In the Spring I hope to attend a Youth empowerment summit in Tbilisi hosting two Georgian youth. This will be a weekend of mentoring one boy  and girl on leadership and community engagement. They are expected to start local clubs when returning home with volunteer support.

Then there is my day job. My organization ZRDA works with  local businesses to grow. We have a number of ongoing activities. My role is supportive teaching restaurants how to Pin on Google Maps, Trivago, Air BnB, Booking.com and building presence on the internet, by updating listings, uploading professional photos and menus. To date google photos of businesses in Georgia have topped well over 30,000 and its hard to keep pace. Locally 45 locations have been added to Google maps. I think I am going to make a blog of most seen photos, its really incredible. This photo has been viewed 1400 times, Paravani Lake, the largest lake in Georgia. 

Wishing all at home a Happy New Year, see you in less than two weeks!