Driving up to Kiketi from Tbilisi for the cleanup on a sweltering Sunday afternoon, very little garbage was visible along the roadside. Was this SADAGI cleanup going to be more like an Easter egg hunt, where each item found would feel like a prize? Did pockets of refuse really exist in this beautiful hilly setting?
Twenty-five stalwarts of all ages from as far away as London and Washington DC joined together to patrol the forested area running along Galaktion Tabidze Road and a ravine starting at a nearby garbage collection point.
Initially, modest amounts of garbage were spotted, so our group moved towards the ravine. Such areas (khevi) are notorious throughout Georgia (around the world as well) as handy dumpsites for people with no thought as to the consequences of their thoughtlessness.
Suddenly, the mother lode of the afternoon was discovered: large quantities of old asphalt roofing material and other construction waste were spotted dumped high up on the steep slopes of this ravine. So much garbage was there that more hands were needed to deal with the mess. As white blood cells converge to attack an infection, several members of our group converged on this spot and, working together, quickly eliminated the contamination.
This small but special mini clean-up is the 33rd such action by SADAGI volunteers. It was all the more meaningful in that Nikoloz Shurgaia, the founder of SADAGI, and his wife Eka were joined by Katie Melua, a long-time SADAGI supporter, together with her family and several friends from London. We thank all those who took of their time to participate. The process itself may not be glamorous, but the camaraderie is great and the long-term results should be. The very young who joined in will hopefully grow up following the example that SADAGI volunteers set as well as encouraging others. Even casual onlookers and passersby could not help but be affected by this idea!
If you would like to join us, please sign up at www.sadagi.ge. If you have any questions, feel free to contact info@sadagi.ge.
Blog by Paul Rodzianko
