Giorgi Chubabria graduated Kitski institution in 2005. He has always been a very hardworking and diligent student. The same year he passed exams to Tbilisi Branch of Moscow University, department of Law. Giorgi has parents and a sister. His mother is unemployed. Father works at Kitski institution. The family is very poor. The only income the family lives on is the father's salary, which approximately totals to $70 per month. This amount is hardly enough to buy bread and tea through a month for four member family.
Giorgi writes: I was born on July 13th, 1988 in village Kitski. My family has always been very poor. My sister and I, we did not have any good toys or clothing. When being at Kitksi institution, thanks to tremendous help of PRUMC Dearest People I first in my life felt what it was like to have nice everyday food, good clothing, books, heated rooms, medicines upon need and many other things which my family could not support us with during my childhood! My family is very friendly and my parents suffered to know that they were not capable to give my sister and I just simple everyday things. They would never have been able to give me opportunity of good higher education! I was more than happy, I could not even believe, that the US Friends would be helping my sister and me with the University Education Fees. Thanks to the assistance my sister graduated last year from Tbilisi State University and started job at school. She is a good professional and teaches the students besides of her professional subject – what does it mean to have compassion and to be assistive to others in need – naming our Dearest Friends as role models for the Kindness and True Faith. For all four years of study I received grant from the Dearest Friends to cover my Law School Education charges. My family and I are ever indented for terrific assistance! I promise to be a good lawyer and to be a first grade help to others in need as an attorney and in person! This year I have got a half semester left to defend my Diploma work and keep hoping that my Dear Donors might assist me with graduation of the University; the price is $873. My education is the only dream and open doors from my hard life to better future, in which I pledge to become a worthy citizen and justify all the hopes and expectation of the terrific people who have helped me with Open Hearts and True Christian Love! May God Bless You for all You have done to me and my peers in my Georgia.
Natia Beradze also is a Kitski Institution graduate. Last year she entered Kutaisi Institute of Economics , department of International Tourism and Management. Natia has always been a very good student. She has parents and two sisters. Natia got married last year. Her husband is a refugee from Abkhazia and currently does not have a job. Natia's father is deeply disabled with 3rd category of epilepsy and can not work to support the family. Mother is unemployed as well. The family is very poor. They do not own a house or apartment and live with the relatives in Kutaisi. The family does not have either any financial capacity to pay for Natia's tuition, $334.
Natia says: "I love my profession so much. Last year I received tremendous assistance from Georgia to Georgia sand Sister City Wonderful People to study at the University. Without the help I would not have been able to dream on the higher education. That was a true light in my life, light of hope and love. I really would love to be a good professional and a worthy citizen of my country. I would like to justify tremendous efforts of the people who helped me and in name of The Faith and Kindness to be helpful for others, I'm ready to work as a volunteer if needed and share love and hope to everyone in need. My heart is full of gratitude and love which I would love to endlessly share with the people who gave me hand of help in the most difficult and significant period of my life!"
Giorgi and Davit Baratashvili are twins from Chiatura. Their father works as a teacher at Chaitura institution. They are 19 years old very talented, motivated and proactive young men. Chiatura is one of the last districts of Georgia in Imereti region, the place bordering Oshsethian de facto line fortified through Russian check-points and military troops. Giorgi and Davit study in Tbilisi at Free Georgian Institute, department of Business Management. They are very good in English and try their best to reach highest grades in education. Giorgi and Davit enjoyed the outstanding assistance from Georgia to Georgia & Sister City 2009 Fundraiser.
Giorgi and Davit write: We are from the marginal village of Chiatura region. We have had hard life and less opportunity to get good higher education (their education price for 2010-2011 is $100 to each) and would never dream to have such terrific support as dear US Friends provided for our tuition in 2009. Our utmost dream is to well graduate the university classes, obtain good skills, become worthy professionals and use our skills and abilities to enhance/support business development of our home region – Chiatura. Chiatura is not a location to do farming. At Soviet Times the only business run at Chiatura was manganese mining. Unfortunately all is closed there nowadays. We wish to be the best instrumental to our region, people and the Country of Georgia! We would like to express endless gratitude to our Dearest Donors Georgia to Georgia Foundation and Sister City for significant assistance towards our education last year!
Our lives overfilled with joy and happiness, a well as we felt tremendous responsibility keep up better job with the classes and do not disappoint the people who shared hand of life- important assistance to us. We are Blessed by God to have the Friends!
Irakli Nikabadze graduated from Kitski Institution in 2010. He successfully passed National
Exams at Georgian Technical University, department of Construction and Engineering. Irakli has got both parents and a sister. The parents are unemployed. The family has been assigned official status of "Socially Disadvantaged", which shows, that their living conditions are far below of the poverty lower limit. The parents can hardly feed the children.
Without outer assistance Giorgi will never be able to study at the University; the price for one year totals to - $834. But his highest dream is to become a good Contraction Engineer which is a high demanded profession in Country of Georgia. He dreams some day to be able to help his family and be part of construction business in the country!
Giorgi Avalishvili is a former Kitski student. He graduated Kitksi institution in 2009. Giorgi successfully passed the National exams at Georgian Technical University, department of Technology and Chemistry. Giorgi's family consists of four members: Giorgi, his younger sister and the parents. Both parents are unemployed. Moreover, Giorgi's father is disabled and he permanently needs medicines to keep on his treatment. The family is very poor. Last year, Giorgi's tuition fee was paid by his uncle who lived and worked in Russia. Unfortunately he was murdered at unknown circumstances last year and the family stayed without any outer support. This year Giorgi's family does not have capacity/assistance to pay his tuition fee. The family even do not own a piece of land as they live in a town and there is no farming land available. Food has been a problem to the family – nothing to say about higher institution tuition fee payment which is $973 per year!
Nana Nikabadze is a Kitski institution graduate of 2009. She studies at Tbilisi State University, department of Science and Literature. Nana has got both parents, aged grandmother and two sisters. Nana's sister underwent pretty serious operation on kidney last year, which couldn't have been done had not it been tremendous help of the Peach Tree Road United Methodist Church Community generous assistance. Otherwise the family wouldn't have been able to do the surgery to her! Nana's sister needs constant healthcare, which is a huge burden to the family. Nana's father works as a teacher at Kitski institution and his small income is hardly enough for the medicines. Nana's mother is unemployed. The family does not own a house or apartment and have to pay monthly rent for the accommodation. Without other help Nana will no way be able to pay her second year tuition at the University. Nana is a very talented and hard working girl. She will become a good professional if graduates her studies at the University; ($1250 per year).
Sopo Skhiladze graduated Kitski institution in 2009. The same year she entered/passed exams to Sokhumi State University in Tbilisi, Department of Education; $834. Sopo has got both parents and two brothers. The parents are currently unemployed. Sopo's mother worked at Tbilisi bakery, but last year due to the economic crisis the bakery was closed and she, the only bread winner to the family, was left without any job. The family does some farming to feed the children and that's all they are capable to do. They have status of Socially Disadvantaged. Sopo is a very gifted girl. She graduated the school at Silver Medal and will do her best to become a good professional.
Eteri Gamrekelashvili graduated Kitski Institution in 2009. She successfully passed her entrance exams at Tbilisi State University, Department of Law and Economics. Eteri has got both parents, brother and two sisters. Eteri's parents are teachers, but work part time and receive a very limited salaries. Moreover, Eteri's mother is disabled. Unfortunately Eteri's younger brother is mentally retarded. The family does not have capacity to ensure medicines to the mother and brother. They have not cleared the bank debt so far and even do not know how to cover the fee. This year Eteri will not be able to continue studies if she does not get assistance. Eteri's tuition fee totals to 1945 USD, but the University administration reduced the cost for her as a most remarkable student to 1250 USD. Eteri is a very bright person and she will become a good professional if gets proper education at the University.
Nona Okribelashvili graduated Kitski institution in 2009. The same year she entered Tbilisi University of Economics and Law, Law school. Nona was granted 30% of state stipend. It means, that her exam grades were pretty good, which is surprising if considered her horrible poverty and inhuman living conditions at home. Many youth from well-off families been educated through private tutors do not achieve the grades as Nona does! Nona has both parents and a brother. The family is assigned Socially Disadvantaged status. The only income they have is the socially vulnerability pension which totals to $30 per month.
Nona is a very talented girl. She graduated the school at Silver Medal and continued studies at the University at high grades. Last year her relatives helped to cover 70% of tuition fee, but this year they are no more capable to cover the charges. Many businesses have been closed in Georgia since 2009 and Nona's relatives fall under the cut offs. Nona will become a worthy citizen of her country if she gets opportunity to study at the University (tuition fee for a year - $1089).
Alongside with the Institution Graduates, there are three youth from Rioni (Imereti region) Institution for Deaf Children and Youth, the most talented in art, who wish to continues study at local Art school. Four Rioni Institution youth received continues assistance from PRUMC Community, Marietta Church and Georgia to Georgia Foundation & Sister City. Some students graduated last year, but there are still 4 gifted youth who would like to continue/start education at the Art School. They are talented and their skills would help in future their employment or self employment:
Dato Rumebia is 17 years old. He still studies at Rioni Institutions as for the disabled youth the special education/institution is considered longer than for he regular youth who are supposed to graduate secondary at age of 17. Dato is deaf. Mercifully he does not suffer from other health problems not related to the deafness. Dato's family live in Poti, pretty far from the institution.
Therefore Dato stays at Rioni for 7 days per week. Dato has got both parents and a brother. Dato's parents do not work. They wish to have an employment to better support their children, ensure relevant medicines to Dato, to be able to get them good living conditions and food, but unfortunately, there are few job paces available in the region they live. Dato is a very talented boy, he wishes to graduate the Art school, get Diploma/Certificate of graduation and find job ($163).
Giorgi Shurgalaia is also a Rioni Deaf Institution Student. He is 16. Giorgi is from one of the most socially vulnerable families. His family consists of parents, sister and aged grandmother. Giorgi's parents are unemployed. They find hard to ensure relevant medicines to Giorgi to let his deafness keep in chronicle state and do not complicate. Youth with hearing disabilities are often subjected to complication, therefore require permanent healthcare monitoring and treatment, which is though very expensive. Giorgi is a gifted boy in art. He wishes to study at Kutaisi Art School together with other his peers. He hopes to graduate the school and possess a profession. He promises to become a good professional and help his family and country ($163)
Manuchar Abahsidze is another Rioni Institution student. He is from very poor family. Manuchar has both parents, sister and brother. Neither of his parents work Manuchar's father is disabled and can not move well. Manuchar suffers from IV, the highest grade deafness. The doctor doubt if he could even use the hearing aids to enhance the hearing abilities. Manuchar is 17 years old. He is very talented, hardworking and friendly. Manuchar's parents do not have any means to support his health problems, they even can not provide relevant nutrition to Manuchar and his siblings. Manuchar as well as other his peers has highly enjoyed good meals, medicines, dental assistance, textbooks, heating, clothing and many other items through tremendous and continuous efforts of PCUMC Community and Friends. Manuchar wishes to become an artist, to work at a construction company as a internal designer, ($163).
Rioni institution teachers and administration give highest evaluation/reference to all three students: Manuchar, Giorgi and Dato as hard working and motivated youth for further education.
The IDP Community in Saguramo.
PRUMC and Georgia to Georgia & Sister City Foundation have provided tremendous help to Georgian IDPs right after the Russian-Georgian Conflict which happened in August 2008. Per se this was not just material help to the devastated and desperate people who ran out from the burning villages under constant bombing with little kids on hands and dragging wounded family members and neighbors, that was Giving a Hope, Granting Light in Darkness of Sorrow and Courage to Fight for the Future.
Time has passed and many of the IDPs have been resettled from the run down dorms to newly renovated settlements and houses. Given social hardships and low employment rate the IDPs do not have jobs or other income. The receive $15 per person per month as IDP status benefit from the government. Their healthcare is not covered, they need to buy food and etc. For the people with significant trauma of post war syndrome is far more harder support the family within the present circumstances.
Through time they will recover the mental and physical wounds as much as it is possible, but they need help here and now, any help which one may provide starting with food delivery, medicines or other. Here come stories of IDP women who experienced the war and still keep fighting to get everyday bread for their children:
(a)"My Name is Manana Chigladze. I'm an Internally Displaced Person IDP from South Ossetia. I have got four children of different ages – 10, 11, 14, and 15 years old, and a husband.
We lived in Avnevi village, which is actually attaching Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia. Therefore we experienced the worst war in August 2008 when the armed conflict started on August 7th.
We fled from home on August 7th, the very day when the horrible war started. We did not have chance to stay longer. The bombing unexpectedly started and we were left absolutely shocked, disoriented and lost! We did not know what to do, where to go. The war had never been pre-announced.
We were forced to leave home under shell bombing just to survive and to save our children's' lives. Mercifully it was summer time. We fled home land in night pajamas, slippers or underwear. We could not take anything with us. Behind of us we left all of our life fortune we had accumulated or inherited for generations! We did not have time to drop glance at our flourishing vegetable and fruit gardens: marvelous peaches and apples (the regions has been famous with the fruit bearing gardens), houses which have been an integral part of our living – we were heading to unknown destination – running away from armed forces, horrible unidentified gangs and non stopping shooting and bombing.
We crossed Georgian-Osethian de facto border exhausted and devastated – with no feelings, even not perceiving that we survived. We did not have place to go and food to eat!
First we were placed at the abandoned and run down former school building in Tbilisi. For several weeks we slept on the concert floor without any blankets or bed sheets. We did not have food, drinking water or medicines. The country was in the War State and the government needed several weeks to get the resources mobilized and help us.
Within next four months we were accommodated at TsinamZgvriant KAri former dormitory building, where we still live 6 people (2 female and 4 male) in two tiny rooms.
None of us work. We do not enjoy any benefits, neither the medical insurance: all the services are payable. Even food deliveries were suspended for the last 6months. I'm an accountant and my husband is a veterinary. There have not been any employment for us. We live on a tiny assistance fee which is less than 15USD per month per person."
(b) " I'm Nunuka Chkadua, mother of 4, the youngest of them is 3. She was an infant when we fled from burning village Avnevi in night of August 7th 2008. That was a true nightmare alive!
We did not have idea that the spattered shooting in previous days would turn into the hell! We ran away with my little girl on hands. Other children (the eldest was 11!) were running on both sides of my husband. We could not start the car and had to walk all the way over the "border" – Georgia de facto line, which took us hours and hours. The neighbors wished to help, but all the vehicles were packed and many had to walk/run along as we did.
The bombs were blasting on both sides. My husband got wounded, mercifully not in his leg. We were told, that the most we had to be scared of were the Chechen and Ossetia gangs, which further committed rapes, tortures, murdering and kidnappings.
It was the hell which I would not wish to a bloody enemy to experience. But another hardship started after we arrived in Tbilisi. The city was in panic.
We were placed in a abandoned dormitory building with no windows and doors. The mosquitoes were horribly biting the children. My little daughter (9 month) was permanently crying from heat, fear and hunger. For days and days we did not have bread to eat and water to drink.
In four months we were replaced to Tsimanzgvriantkari village houses together with other IDP, our neighbors, who were in the same state as we.
We do not have jobs, we do not have food provided, the only benefit we receive is a small fee paid by the state: $15 per person per month, in terms when the meat costs $7 per kg. My husband is an engineer, but could not have found any employment". My children give me courage to live and keep battling the life! The war is ended, but it has never been over for my family and many others who live in fear for future, and constant stress of thoughts: where should we get the bread tomorrow?".
That is a word of sorrow and helplessness. These people as well as the Kitksi or other institution youth are desperately looking into opportunity to betterment of their lives through hard working and constant search for education or assistance, enhancement of the skills through professional training. There are many educational opportunities in Country of Georgia with perspective the talented and motivated youth to get relevant academic/vocational education and ensure their job security in future, to become strong leverage for socio-economic development of their country and people.