From Youth Club to a Career in Banking – Growing up with World Vision Georgia
“I have felt connected to World Vision (WV) for as long as I can remember, almost as if we have grown up together. I was about five years old, or perhaps even younger, when I first heard about them. My two elder sisters were already part of the Sponsorship programme, and my family trusted and relied on their support,” Eto Kapanadze recalls.
Her mother, who worked as a teacher, learned about World Vision when they came to the school of the small Georgian village called Klde, meaning 'cliff'. Seeing this opportunity, she enrolled us in the programme and its diverse activities, which provided access to valuable information and resources that further supported our development. As Eto says, the visits of World Vision representatives brought hope and happiness, infusing the village with a sense of joy and positivity
“It was not just a programme - World Vision was so much more to us. Almost all the children in our school had sponsors, as many families at the time were in need of support. In my class of eleven students, each of us had a sponsor. We received gifts and essential study materials, such as stationery and books. This meant that, at the same time, we were actively involved in Youth Clubs, engaging in various activities and trainings provided by the organisation. This nonformal education gave us the opportunity to develop leadership, public speaking, presentation and essential life skills. I often recall, when speaking with my friends, that my very first steps towards success began with World Vision," she notes.
At the age of 10, I became a member of the Youth Club, and by 14, I was already leading it. We developed exciting projects and even secured funding for them. This experience helped me strengthen my leadership and communication skills. Most importantly, it empowered each of us individually - I became braver, and my self-esteem grew."
She also fondly recalls keeping in touch with her sponsor and eagerly awaiting each new letter—her very first connection to the outside world beyond her own.
“It was also a joy to communicate with our sponsors, our friends from afar we exchanged letters with. Whenever we saw our coordinator at school, we were filled with excitement because it meant she was bringing letters from our sponsors. My sponsor was extremely attentive; she sent me presents and long, heartfelt letters. She was already retired and lived with her husband. She would send me photos and share stories about her family. I enjoyed reading about how she and her husband tended their garden and how their grandchildren visited them during the holidays. I shared my stories with her as well. Once, I had a special birthday and was eager to share my emotions with her. This birthday was particularly memorable because it was connected to WV. I participated in a peer educators' training programme that weekend and was selected as the best peer educator, which made me very happy. To celebrate both my achievement and birthday, my friends and the staff surprised me with a cake. It was a wonderful day, spent in WV office, full of positive emotions.”
Eto deeply appreciates the time she spent with World Vision Georgia (WVG). Her decision to pursue a career in Business Management was influenced by this experience, as she developed strong communication and leadership skills through actively participating in Youth Club run by WVG that guided her career path. The support from the WV team empowered the young girl, who studied in a small village school, to believe that she could succeed and achieve anything she set her mind to.
Today, Eto considers herself successful, studying in her chosen field of business at the university in the capital of Georgia and working as a Service Manager at the bank, a role she finds fulfilling. Besides her professional life, she is passionate about music and singing. Currently, she is also a solo singer in the renowned Davit Archvadze Estrada Ensemble.
“The fact that I’m managing both my career and my musical pursuits is thanks to the trainings and support I received from the organisation. I will never forget how much it helped me. Music has been my calling since early childhood and will always be an important part of my life. As I take my first steps in the musical industry while pursuing my primary profession as a banker, I’m motivated to succeed as a singer as well.
By Lika Chigladze, World Vision Georgia