Turning a Garage into a Learning Space for Children

Mariam Jabniashvili is a young social entrepreneur and psychologist (speech and language therapist) who, after completing her higher education and working in her profession for years, chose to return to her hometown to support the local community and promote children’s wellbeing.

Her heart pulled her back home — to Zhinvali, a quiet town in the Georgian mountains, where opportunities for children were scarce and no educational or therapeutic services existed, especially for children with disabilities and special educational needs.

Growing up there as a child, with limited resources and facing the same struggles as all the local inhabitants, she knows what life is like for the children and families in the community. Despite many challenges and hardships, with the support of her family, she managed to pursue higher education at the state university, in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi.

Eventually, her hard work and efforts as a student paid off. Now, she is eager to support other children and young people on their own paths, helping them overcome challenges and pursue opportunities for a brighter future.

The idea of opening an educational centre first came to her one summer while she was visiting Zhinvali on vacation, where her family lives. The local parents brought their children to her – those struggling with speech, behaviour, or learning – hoping she could offer them some support.  What was supposed to be a holiday quickly turned into daily therapy sessions. After only two weeks, Mariam noticed something remarkable: the children were making progress.

“When I returned from my holiday to Tbilisi, I realised those children still needed me. There was no one else. That’s when I realised I had to return and be the one to open a space where children could finally get the support they deserve,“ she explains.

At first, she welcomed children into her own home. But when their number grew, she had no choice but to find a bigger space. A neighbour offered an unused garage. Mariam rolled up her sleeves, fixed the roof, painted the walls, and turned the grey concrete room into a colourful learning space, achieving all of this with her own hands and her brother's support. This was the beginning of the Educational-Development Centre.

Today, the humble garage has become a place of hope for more than 80 children from Zhinvali and nearby villages. Children aged 4 to 18 learn advanced speech and language skills, how to improve their behaviour, catch up on school subjects, practise logic and maths, and — most importantly — believe in themselves.

Some of the children have disabilities or special educational needs, but everyone shares the same classrooms, the same games, the same laughter. Each course is tailored to different needs and helps children overcome challenges such as speech difficulties, behavioural disorders, difficulties in learning, and emotional problems.

What makes the centre unique is Mariam’s approach: she teaches children through play and with self-made educational materials, which help develop their motor skills, thinking, and logic. She actively promotes inclusive and non-formal education in the region, aiming to break stereotypes and stigma regarding children with different needs.

According to parents, significant progress is already visible in their children. Those who had speech problems have started talking; those who struggled with learning now absorb material more easily; many have also developed technical and mathematical skills.

“We have true inclusion here,” Mariam says with pride. “Children with very different needs sit side by side, learn together, and feel equal. That’s what makes this centre special.”

The centre isn’t only for children. It supports parents too, offering free consultations and guidance for families who otherwise couldn’t afford such services. Mariam knows that a child’s progress is only sustainable when parents are actively involved. 

Parents can see the difference, too. One of the mothers shares:

“My child had behavioural issues, struggled to manage emotions, and found it difficult to interact with other children. Thanks to attending the centre, these problems have almost completely been resolved."

Additionally, the centre offers support and career counselling to teenagers, helping them develop necessary skills and discover their strengths. Mariam provides emotional support , assesses their skills and strengths. Based on this, she provides guidance on career choices and future pathways. One success story is that of Mariam Larajuli, a 19-year-old girl from the same town who even shares the same first name.

“I never considered studying to be my strength. I didn’t enjoy it and didn’t pay much attention to it. However, after meeting my mentor Mariam, my perspective changed,  I realised how important education was for my future." Mariam Larajuli says, smiling with pride.

Thanks to her support, Mariam Larajuli applied to college and began her studies. Later, she decided to continue her education at a higher level. With the elder Mariam's guidance, she prepared for the entrance exams and successfully enrolled at the university, where she is now pursuing studies in the field of career management.

The journey for the elder Mariam hasn’t been easy. As a young entrepreneur, she faced many challenges starting out. Specialists were hard to find in the village, so Mariam trained local teachers and psychologist herself and created jobs for five people at her centre.

Stigma around special needs was another battle. Many parents were afraid of labels, assessments, or the idea of inclusive education. However, through consistent work, parents understood that timely intervention and support could resolve issues, and in many cases, even remove the need for such a status. Many success stories now prove this point. 

Mariam’s work is driven by kindness and a strong desire to help others while contributing to the development of her small hometown, a place where people face socio-economic challenges, opportunities for youth are scarce, and the town itself is almost forgotten.

Aware of the difficult circumstances of local residents, she accepts only symbolic payments for the sessions she delivers, and in many cases, she supports families living in poverty free of charge.

But Mariam doesn’t stop here, she dreams bigger and has ambitious plans ahead. World Vision Georgia’s support has played an key role in her success and in shaping her future plans to expand and develop the centre.

Mariam was one of the young entrepreneurs who participated in the SKYE NET Skills and Knowledge for Youth Empowerment Network project, funded by the European Union, where she successfully underwent courses in social entrepreneurship and business:

“I felt compelled to apply, as it was a unique opportunity to learn about social entrepreneurship and further develop the centre. Fortunately, I was selected to participate in the project, which gave me the chance to learn and grow under the guidance of professionals.”

After finishing the course, Mariam had to design a business project and present it to the jury. Using the knowledge she gained, she prepared an innovative plan that won the competition. She came up with the idea to not only expand the centre, but also open a social enterprise that would produce educational and developmental resources and games to support children’s growth.

As a prize, and with EU financial support, she received a laser cutting machine worth 15,000 GEL, an essential tool for developing her business. Until then, she had been creating all the materials and resources by hand. 

“After launching the small workshop, I will be able to employ two more young locals—one in graphic design and the other in operating the laser machine. Job opportunities in the region are very limited. Young people usually move to Tbilisi or other big cities to study and work," said Mariam.

She wants to set an example for local youth and give them an opportunity to work where they live, having already created a business plan and patents for games that she's designed. With the help of the new equipment, Mariam will be able to produce high-quality products and distribute them so that any parent, school, or kindergarten can use them with children.

These educational games and resources will help children develop fine motor skills, concentration, logic, and speech.

For Mariam, every toy she creates, every child who learns a new word, and every teenager who discovers their strengths is proof that anything is possible with belief and effort.

Even though she has managed to create a place where children can play, learn, and grow in a safe, warm, and inspiring environment, securing a proper space for the centre remains a challenge.

She is now seeking an alternative location with more space and better conditions, so she can serve more children and bring bigger changes to her community.

SKYE NET project supports young entrepreneurs in developing innovative ideas and promotes the growth of youth social entrepreneurship across the country—particularly in regions where resources are limited.

Through the project, 60 young entrepreneurs from across Georgia received training in social entrepreneurship and business, equipping them with valuable knowledge and skills. Among them, Mariam and nine other youths won the final competition after completing the course, receiving essential resources and funding to transform their ideas into businesses that benefit their local communities.

By Lika Chigladze, World Vision Georgia