Single mother’s journey - a taste of resilience

Zahra, single mother from Iran
Friday, June 20, 2025

One Morning at a Time

 

Every morning at 6:15, Zahra gets up before the sun rises. She gets up quietly, not to wake her son, and heads straight to the kitchen to make herself a cup of coffee -  the kind that wakes up not just the body, but the spirit. That quiet moment is hers, before the world stirs.

By 8:00 a.m. she is already at the restaurant, opening the kitchen where the day’s work begins. She moves with precision—checking refrigerators, testing equipment, inspecting product expiry dates, and making sure every corner is ready before the team arrives. Her section is the very heart of the kitchen, the production part, where every sauce is stirred, every dish begins. Zahra supervises her team, delegates tasks, receives the daily supply of fresh ingredients, and ensures that every step is done right. The sous-chef trusts her. Her team relies on her.

Today, Zahra holds the position of assistant to the sous-chef, which fills her with deep pride and a strong sense of accomplishment. 

“I manage one of the most important parts of the kitchen. My tiramisu and crème brûlée regularly get 10 out of 10 from customers. That’s the best feeling,”  she smiles. “It tells me I’ve done my job well.”

She is an independent and strong woman, a brave mother who now successfully balances her career while caring for and supporting her son. But before reaching this point, she had to go through difficult times and a challenging journey that shaped her into the person she is today. 

Nine Years Ago…

“My name is Zahra, but many call me Elis. I came to Georgia from Iran nine years ago, with nothing but hope ,” she begins to unfold her story.

Nine years ago, Zahra arrived in Georgia in the middle of the night with her child. It was 3 a.m. She went straight from the airport to the migration agency to officially begin a new life in a foreign country. 

Years ago her life was very different. She was living in Iran, running her own language centre, teaching English, and raising her son. However, her circumstances changed, and due to personal reasons, she had to leave the country and search for a safe place where she could start over. The following years were filled with challenges - adjusting to a new language, navigating bureaucracy to secure a residence permit, and surviving as a single mother and refugee. But Zahra never gave up.

“In the beginning, it was very hard. I didn’t know the language, I didn’t know anyone. But Georgia felt safe. People were kind. Still, the refugee process was complicated and full of obstacles.”

As Zhara recalls, his son also struggled when they arrived in a foreign country. “Adapting to a new environment wasn’t easy—especially for a 10-year-old boy who had to leave behind his friends and school and start over in a completely new community. At first, he felt excluded because he didn’t speak Georgian. I enrolled him in a local public school, and slowly, he had to learn the language. But he did it—he kept going, and now, he speaks fluently.”

Zahra and Mariam, Employment Consultant  at World Vision Georgia 

New Chapter of Life

 

Both mother and child were trying to find their way in a new world, where they had no one but each other. A new chapter in their lives began when World Vision stepped in to support them and help ease their life.  It wasn’t until five years after her arrival that Zahra learned about  World Vision.

“I remember walking into the office of World Vision Georgia , completely overwhelmed. I was so stressed, I just broke down in tears. But the staff welcomed me warmly. Keti, a World Vision Officer, spoke to me with kindness and understanding. That day changed everything.”

With the support of  World Vision, Zahra found her first job in Georgia, working for a large chain of food production. It was the start she needed. Later, another World Vision officer Mariam helped her land her current job—at one of Tbilisi’s best Italian restaurants, where she currently works. “When she told me the salary, I said yes immediately,” Zahra laughs. “I was so happy, I didn’t even ask many questions. I just said yes.”

Over the years, she had to learn a new profession from scratch, and now she is a skilled professional who plays a key role in her team. 

“I learned every step, every dish, every detail of the kitchen. When we’re busy and have too many orders, it’s stressful, but I love every part of my work. I’m also lucky to be part of a great team that’s both friendly and supportive,”  she adds. 

In the past, Zahra received some financial assistance from the organization, but now she no longer asks for it—she says she wants that support to go to someone who needs it more. Now she is able to sustain herself and her son, providing all the resources he needs for his development and education. In the evenings, they share dinner and talk about how their day went , that’s their sacred time together. Like any mother, she sees him as the centre of her world. “He is my everything. My family, my hope, my strength. ”

Her son recently graduated from a Georgian public school and is preparing to enroll at university to study IT. Zahra who is also his best friend does everything she can to support him on his journey through life.

“I only have one dream—that he would grow up safe, and that he would become very successful and educated person. I hope one day, he reaches the very top of the mountain. That’s all I want.”

Her Message to Refugee Mothers 

 

Zahra’s story is one of courage, sacrifice, and determination. Today, she stands as a symbol of strength for all single mothers and refugee women. Her message is one of resilience:

“I believe single mothers are the strongest women in the world. We give everything for our children. I went through a lot, but I never let anyone abuse me and my child or make me dependent. I always wanted to stand on my own two feet.”

And she also believes that every job deserves respect. "Every job plays an important role — if even one position is missing, the entire system can collapse like a row of dominoes. It’s not about positions but it’s about dignity."

“My advice to other mothers is: never give up, believe in yourself, and keep going. Even if your work doesn’t feel perfect, give it your best. Things will get better, and your efforts will always pay off. And even in your darkest moments, when you feel completely lost, remember you are not alone. God never abandons those who work hard and stand up for their children.”

With these words, she finishes her story, says goodbye, and hurries back to the job she loves and takes pride in.

World Vision Georgia is committed to supporting refugees through the Community Mobilization and Participation project, financially supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and World Vision Nordic.
 

Story by Lika Chigladze, Communications Officer at World Vision Georgia