A Mother of Six and Her Path to Accounting Career

For 35-year-old Teona, a resident of Khelvachauri, village in western Georgia, and mother of six (four girls and two boys), getting an education and advancing her career was always her greatest dream. Because she married young and had a large family to care for, she could not dedicate time to studying for many years. However, through hard work, strong family support, and help from World Vision, she successfully opened a bright new chapter in her life.

Taking the First Steps

Teona always wanted to be a nurse, but managing a large household made it difficult to pursue medical training. After discussing options with her husband, they decided that studying banking would be a practical alternative.

"We were living in Khulo, townlet in Adjara Region, at the time. On my birthday, my husband called to tell me he had enrolled me in a college banking course. I studied for a year and a half and earned my certificate. It was the happiest day of my life — I finally experienced the joy of being a student again. While studying banking, I discovered a strong passion for finance and accounting, which inspired me to pursue further development in this field."

However, because entry-level banking jobs offered low pay and her children still required full-time care, Teona was unable to start working at a bank. At age 32, seeking to improve her family's financial situation, she decided to learn accounting instead and enrolled in a private course.

Her main obstacle was not owning a computer, which was essential for completing homework and practicing her skills. Fortunately, World Vision and their Household Empowerment Consultant Kakha, stepped in to help by providing her with a laptop so she could complete her assignments and study effectively.

A United Family

Teona’s success is a true testament to her family’s teamwork. Everyone stepped up and divided daily responsibilities to make life manageable. While Teona stayed up late into the night studying accounting and reviewing her lessons, her father-in-law took on the daily duty of walking the youngest children to kindergarten and school and bringing them safely back home. At the same time, her mother-in-law and 14-year-old daughter, Anuki, took charge of the household chores and helped care for the younger siblings. By dividing their roles, the family managed to live harmoniously and remain thankful for each day together.

"When I decided to study again, I truly believed that new opportunities would arise and that I would overcome every obstacle. The project team provided me with a laptop on which my studies and future success depended, for which I am deeply grateful. I stayed up late through the night, learning every function on the keyboard in detail. I knew I could succeed because my family and the project team were right beside me, supporting me every step of the way."

Currently, Teona's goal is to complete her accounting studies, earn her certification, and build a successful career as a professional accountant.

Career Progress and Future Goals

Today, both Teona and her husband are actively working. With the knowledge and experience she has gained, she found a job that allows her to work while still caring for her children. Teona works as a Senior Assistant Administrator at a chain store, managing daily cash registers, balancing the safe, and handling invoices. She values this experience as an important stepping stone toward her ultimate goal of becoming a professional accountant.

World Vision provided additional assistance to support the entire household:

Teona attended workshops on workplace safety and financial management. The family received food, hygiene supplies, and access to free medical services. The children’s grandmother received funded eye and leg surgeries through healthcare referral programs. Two of her children participate in free extracurricular classes: Anuki attends art classes, while Saba plays sports. Both teenagers also participate in World Vision’s Youth Club, where they develop essential life, technical, and career skills.

"Mr. Kakha and the project team stand by us in everything," Teona says. "We could not have accomplished this without their support."

Although the family currently lives in a rented home, they remain focused on their long-term goals:

"My dream is for us to own our home — a place where our whole family can live comfortably and where each child has their own space."

Teona shares an encouraging message for other women and mothers:

"It is never too late to learn and develop yourself. Do not put off until tomorrow what you can achieve today. When you work toward something with complete commitment, anything is possible — as long as you believe in yourself!"