2023-10-22 08:00:00
Oksana Akunevich — the creator of the multi-functional Belarusian space “aKzhrodyak”, the initiator of the creation of a Belarusian-language school, a master’s degree in technical sciences, the author of the “Human Physics” project.
A few days ago, a Belarusian school started working in Batumi on the basis of the multi-functional space “aKzhrodyak”, which was opened last year. Previously, various classes were held in the space: singing and drawing for children, family film screenings, cooking.
Now the children of Belarusians in Batumi can study according to this system: three days a week they study in a Belarusian-language school on the basis of the space “aKzhrodyak” and another two days – in a Georgian-French school. At the end, they will be able to get a Georgian diploma.
Oksana Akunevich
The creator of the Belarusian space “aKzhrodyak” managed to create such a system Oksana Akunevich.
Earlier, representatives of Alina Kovshik (representative of the United Transitional Cabinet in National Revival) approached Oksana with an offer to open a school as well.
“At first, this project was aimed at Poland, then we started to be connected to various events.
And when the schools began to expand, I picked up the idea, said that I would be happy to take part, organize, recruit teachers, because I have a lot of teaching experience,” says Oksana Akunevich.
Participants of the space “aKzhrodyak”
Earlier, even before her move to Georgia, the Belarusian diaspora of Adjara periodically went to meetings with representatives of the Georgian authorities regarding the education of Belarusian children.
“The peculiarity of Georgia is that they have national sectors, for example Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish, Azerbaijani. And children are educated according to the program of the country to which they belong ethnically. But we were told that until there is an official request from Belarus to create such a sector, nothing will happen.”
But the history of Belarusians in Georgia touched the officials with whom the diaspora met, says Oksana.
“As it turned out, they were looking for a way out. And already after the beginning of the academic year, representatives of the Ombudsman contacted us and suggested that we hold a meeting, that there might be some solution for people who want to study in their native language.”
“The Ministry gave permission for the experiment”
This is how we came into contact with the Georgian-French school, which agreed to join the Belarusian children.
“Representatives of the Georgian-French school turned to the ministry and told that there is a group of Belarusians who would really like to integrate and join the Georgian language and culture. In Georgia, not all private schools have the goal of integrating children who have arrived, because the “flow” of emigrants is quite large. The Ministry of Education of Georgia gave permission for such an experiment.”
Belarusian children visit the Georgian-French school twice a week. They study in the same class, study the Georgian language, French, chess and the culture of Georgia.
“The culture of Georgia is dancing, painting, and singing. But due to the fact that we do not have many children yet, it was difficult to connect us financially to this subject. But the school principal and I came to the conclusion that we will try to join our Belarusian children to a group of Georgian children so that they have a connection with them.”
“Suggested that our children write tests in Georgian”
Children come three times a week to the Belarusian school in “aKzrzedek” and study Belarusian language and literature, mathematics, natural science subjects (geography, biology), says Oksana.
“So far, only these subjects, because the oldest children this year are in the sixth grade. As a physicist, I apply my early learning methods to prepare for the perception of physics when children grow up to start this subject.”
In the space “aKzrodjak”
After finishing school, Belarusian children will receive an official Georgian certificate.
“If we manage to create a Belarusian sector, children will take exams in the Belarusian language. Now I suggested that our children write tests in Georgian, so that at any moment I could show the ministry or the school what the children are doing. The process planned by us is aimed at the fact that our children would be able to take the exams in the Georgian language as well.”
At a meeting with the representative of the United Transitional Cabinet, Alina Kovshik, the Belarusian diaspora also raised the issue of starting to issue Belarusian certificates to children abroad.
Currently, education in a Belarusian school in “aKzhredek” and a Georgian-French school costs about 185 dollars per month.
“Today we have 7 students, which surprised me a lot, because I thought there would be one or two in the first week. And the quota that the Georgian-French school provided for us this year is 26 people. So, there are still places and you can join,” says Oksana.
“We can continue the way of life that was in Belarus”
There is a large flow of emigrants in Georgia, so not all schools pay attention to the integration of children from other countries. However, according to Oksana Akunevich, Batumi is a very comfortable city for living with children, as there are many opportunities for additional education.
“We can continue the way of life that was in Belarus. We have three children with various additional groups, which are not difficult to visit, because the city is not very big. Also, about 4,000 Belarusians live here now and, as my acquaintance once said, if you wish, in Batumi you can communicate only with Belarusians and only in the Belarusian language.”
Oksana really likes the fact that Georgia is becoming more liberal, there is no permanent mode of survival.
“When you live in a country where something blooms and ripens all year round, you understand that you will not die of hunger or cold. And it supports, – Oksana smiles. – And Georgia gives the inner freedom that the children of the 90s had inside, if everything is possible. This “everything is possible” allowed me to continue, not to give up, to do school.”
Participants of the space “aKzhrodyak”
What else is happening in “aKzhredek”
Soon in Batumi, the Belarusian diaspora will organize an evening of “(Un)executed poetry”, an ethnographic lecture about Grandfathers and much more.
“During Advent, throughout December, we will hold traditional family gatherings, where children and parents prepare some dishes and decorations. We also want to restore family and adult film screenings, singing gatherings. And every Tuesday we have Belarusian tables for adults. Life is swirling around “aKzrzedek”, and we plan to continue it in the ways that people are used to.”
You can find out more about the Belarusian school and the “aKzhrodyak” space here.
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