Partners Mentoring, Tbilisi Georgia

---

Tina McGuinness, Joe Higgins and Fran Higgins spent over 24 hours flying from Grand Junction, Co. to Tbilisi, Georgia over the weekend of Jan. 15-16. We were Met by Andro Gigauri, Georgian Ministry of Justice, at the ariport at 1am Monday Jan. 17th and given a brief but beautiful tour of the City as we drove to our Hotel. Beautiful white and gold Christmas lights. Had a brief opportunity to discuss with Andro the Georgian Governtment's interest in reforming its juvenile justice system and they feel that Mentoring and Restorative Justice concepts are appropriate versus the past focus on incarceration. Andro tlak us about the Rose Revolution in 2004 of which he was part to do away with corruption in the Government. We will meet with Nini Phanjikdze, MOJ, this afternoon to better prepare for the next 2 weeks of meetigns, trainings, etc. The Georgian people are very kind and speak good English. We feel honnored to represent the PARTNERS MENTORING ASSOCIATION and to take Bob Moffits' concept of positive rolemodels for youth to this country that is eager to improve the lives of its young people. Joe Higgins

---

Comments

[Mark Bustamante]

Envias and proud of you guys
Wish we were there along side of you. Send pictures!! That way will feel like were there. Good luck and have fun. Because that to me is what mentoring is abought. A fellow mentor and partner. Mark

[Angie Wickersham]

Glad you made it safely
Joe, glad to hear you made it safely! Can't wait to read all about your trip!

[Tinker]

Terrific Work!
So good that you can be there helping global communities, and that they invite you! Safe travels,

[Sofia Janjgava]

Thank you for the blog. In the post soviet and post chaos/corruption environment it is an extraordinary achievement that we are talking about reforming juvenile justice system. All youth need positive rolemodeles, especially the ones in the system. I think there should also be implementation of programs that will help to reintegrate them into the society. This is a great start and I am very happy to see it happening.

[Mike O'Boyle]

GOING WITH THE FLOW
You go Joe and let's hope those kids in Georgia learn to go with the flow.

[Julie Hinkson]

You're on our minds
The United Way gals wish you well!

[Christie Higgins]

So Proud!
Love hearing about your adventures in Tbilisi and the progress you all are making over there! So proud of you Dad!!