First steps

I am Nino Kharchilava. I live in Martvili. I am an IDP and I am the leader of the initiative group "Abkhazia". A few years ago, in 2016, Taso Foundation came to work in our municipality. A lot has changed in our settlement since then. That’s where our progress started and success came in many ways - in terms of education, in terms of amenities They introduced computer technology to us, taught us how to use a computer, which was very useful for the young people living here to move forward and develop.

Since then, several initiative groups have been formed to work on both individual and group projects. These projects have greatly improved the economic situation of our women. In addition, it brought great joy and motivation to our settlement - we eagerly awaited assignments from Taso Foundation, we wanted to make them as happy with our achievements as they made us.

We worked on education and women's rights; We identified the needs, and the foundation helped us to implement this or that project. For example, we arranged a playground in the yard, which was special and completely different from all the other playgrounds in the whole municipality. If before our children had to walk miles to get to the carousels, now all other children come to our place.

Changes

I remember our emotions when we first got to a three-day training in one of the most luxurious hotels in Tbilisi. Getting into such conditions was very unusual and unforgettable for each of us. It is true that we are laughing at all this now, but at that time those feelings and experiences turned out to be very important and rewarding.

In 2020, again with the support of Taso Foundation, we were able to help disadvantaged families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve reached this age having never seen such abundant humanitarian aid before. Those who received this assistance even shared it with others.

Before Taso Foundation came to work in our settlement, we did not know where we were. It was an unhappy and hopeless situation, we were all heartbroken, there was no illusion we could talk about children's playgrounds, computers and the library, especially if someone would come and give us computer courses or give us so much equipment as a gift. If someone said it back than, we would consider it a fairy tale. Truly a miracle happened to us. After the foundation entered the municipality, everyone became happy, everyone was waiting for something, everyone tried to express their gratitude to Taso Foundation with their participation and revealing the best of their potential.

Our women did not really have the opportunity to take any courses anywhere, but when given the opportunity, many showed excellent skills. One of them became so interested in computers and self-development that she later opened her own computer center.

I learned a lot after crossing with Taso Foundation and its extraordinary team members. I saw what a project is, how to work on it, what resources are there to develop and help others develop. From the beginning it was very strange for me to work on the project, as well as the relationship with the representatives of the organization. My voice trembled at first, but over time I learned everything. So were our women and after a while, we all developed in such a way and it was so visible that several times men also expressed a desire to participate in our trainings. Sometimes it is really hard to express in words the gratitude you hold in your heart.