The little poet: a 16 year olds life after institutionalised care
Ana has been writing poetry since she was a little girl, but she has never had the chance to present her beloved work until a few months ago, when World Vision made such an arrangement at Community Youth Centre in Kutaisi, 230 km northwest of Georgia’s capital, Tblisi. More than 50 people attended the presentation.
“I am so happy because I shared all my feelings and emotions with the audience and their reaction was very positive and affirming. I felt like my thoughts penetrated their hearts,” says Ana with a sense of accomplishment. She writes mostly about love, her mother, and the ups and downs of life.
The positive responses to her presentation encouraged Ana to publish a book. She does not have enough money to do that yet, but is confident that her determination combined with help from others will enable her to achieve her goal.
Ana has successfully overcome many challenges in her life. She was ten years old when her father died, and her mother died a year later. Her grandmother was too old to look after her, so Ana was placed in an orphanage, a difficult transition for a child who spent her whole life in a warm family atmosphere. Ana lived there for three years until she was taken in by her uncle thanks to assistance from World Vision Georgia’s Learners for Life project.
It is difficult for Ana to talk about her time in the orphanage when she felt like nobody needed her or cared about her, as though her life had ended at just 11 years old. She says that period is behind her and she tries to look ahead. Her eyes sparkle, revealing the dreams and hopes she has for the future.
Ana became a foster child of her uncle when she was 14 years old. She has lived with her uncle and aunt in Kutaisi, western Georgia for the past two years. He is able to provide for her with the 300 GEL (US $190) he receives as a foster parent from the government, though he is determined to continue providing for Ana once the allowance is terminated when Ana turns 18 years old.
When Ana left the orphanage she began studying in an integrated school for children with and without disabilities. She graduated a few months ago and is continuing her education at a local theological seminary.
When Ana left the orphanage she began studying in an integrated school for children with and without disabilities. She graduated a few months ago and is continuing her education at a local theological seminary. While Ana does not know what career path she would like to take, she loves to study religion. She is also working at the integrated school as a computer teacher, earning 50 GEL (US $30) per month. This is a huge accomplishment, as Georgia suffers from a high rate of unemployment, making it especially difficult for people with disabilities to find jobs. Ana is a very good example of how a person can succeed despite enormous difficulties and stigmas of society.
“Ana is a very determined, active and hardworking person,” says Nana Idadze, a World Vision social worker.
In September 2004, World Vision Georgia began implementing the Learners for Life project to address the growing problem of child institutionalisation. The project prepares at risk and institutionalised youth ages 14 to 20 to lead independent lives by offering services at three community youth centres in the cities of Telavi, Kutaisi and Batumi. Services include life skills training, vocational training, access to small group loans, educational training and employment assistance, as well as opportunities to participate in sports.
“I am so happy because I shared all my feelings and emotions with the audience and their reaction was very positive and affirming. I felt like my thoughts penetrated their hearts,” says Ana with a sense of accomplishment. She writes mostly about love, her mother, and the ups and downs of life.
The positive responses to her presentation encouraged Ana to publish a book. She does not have enough money to do that yet, but is confident that her determination combined with help from others will enable her to achieve her goal.
Ana has successfully overcome many challenges in her life. She was ten years old when her father died, and her mother died a year later. Her grandmother was too old to look after her, so Ana was placed in an orphanage, a difficult transition for a child who spent her whole life in a warm family atmosphere. Ana lived there for three years until she was taken in by her uncle thanks to assistance from World Vision Georgia’s Learners for Life project.
It is difficult for Ana to talk about her time in the orphanage when she felt like nobody needed her or cared about her, as though her life had ended at just 11 years old. She says that period is behind her and she tries to look ahead. Her eyes sparkle, revealing the dreams and hopes she has for the future.
Ana became a foster child of her uncle when she was 14 years old. She has lived with her uncle and aunt in Kutaisi, western Georgia for the past two years. He is able to provide for her with the 300 GEL (US $190) he receives as a foster parent from the government, though he is determined to continue providing for Ana once the allowance is terminated when Ana turns 18 years old.
When Ana left the orphanage she began studying in an integrated school for children with and without disabilities. She graduated a few months ago and is continuing her education at a local theological seminary.
When Ana left the orphanage she began studying in an integrated school for children with and without disabilities. She graduated a few months ago and is continuing her education at a local theological seminary. While Ana does not know what career path she would like to take, she loves to study religion. She is also working at the integrated school as a computer teacher, earning 50 GEL (US $30) per month. This is a huge accomplishment, as Georgia suffers from a high rate of unemployment, making it especially difficult for people with disabilities to find jobs. Ana is a very good example of how a person can succeed despite enormous difficulties and stigmas of society.
“Ana is a very determined, active and hardworking person,” says Nana Idadze, a World Vision social worker.
In September 2004, World Vision Georgia began implementing the Learners for Life project to address the growing problem of child institutionalisation. The project prepares at risk and institutionalised youth ages 14 to 20 to lead independent lives by offering services at three community youth centres in the cities of Telavi, Kutaisi and Batumi. Services include life skills training, vocational training, access to small group loans, educational training and employment assistance, as well as opportunities to participate in sports.
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