The Next Step - Children of the Caucasus

Patron Mary Robinson

The Next Step was registered as a charity in Ireland in 2001

and in the United Kingdom in 2005. These charitable

foundations support the work of their sister

NGO, The First Step. They do this by running

fundraising events and they receive significant

funding from private individuals and

charitable private foundations.

The First Step Our vision: A Georgian society that provides equal opportunity to all to fully realize individual potential; to increase personal well-being; to contribute to common welfare; and, to ensure that children with intellectualand physical disabilities are a fully empowered part of society.

The First Step (TFS) was founded in 1998 in response to the horrendous living conditions of disabled orphans liv-ing in the state-run Kaspi Institution in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia. Seven years later, we are proud to have grown and accomplished so much to help these children lead meaning-ful lives through better living conditions and proper care. Their lives are enriched thanks to our charitable work and the selfless donations of our worldwide donors. Today, these children’s eyes are filled with hope instead of despair as they reach for their personal potential as constructive members of society.

N e w s l e t t e r M a y 2 0 0 6 T h e F i r s t S t e p F o u n d a t i o n

With the generous support of Tbilisi based Bank Republic, a 12 year old girl with a severe leg disability underwent success-ful corrective surgery in March 2006. Under the care of The First Step pediatrician, Niniko was removed from Kaspi or-phnage after 6 months, and is now home recuperating with her family. This surgery followed

one 2 years ago which enabled her to walk for the first time. Currently, Niniko is undergoing intensive rehabilitation partially funded by The First Step at the Rehabilitation Center of Tbilisi.

Our mission:To promote social inclusion of intellectually and physically disabled children, to improve their level of care and living conditions, to remove the stigma which society continues to harbor against physical and intellectual imperfections in children, and to raise awareness and tolerance of their special needs through provision of services to the children and their families.

Standing from left: Jacinta Hogan, Trustee TNS, Denis Corboy, Trustee TNS, Rosaleen Mulji, TNS donor,

Nino Kadagidze Zhvania, Co Founder TFS, Prime Minister of Georgia, Zurab Nogaideli, Des MacMahon, Chair of Board of Trustees TNS, Keti Melikadze, Director TFS,

Jane Corboy, Co Founder TFS, Anne Davy, Trustee TNS, Jonathan Mills, Trustee TNS

The Irish trustees of the Next Step spent the first week of April in Georgia when they visited all the First Step programmes in Tbi-lisi and Zugdidi. During the visit they had working meetings with Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli, Min-ister of Labour, Health and Social Affair Lado Chipashvili, the Premier of Tbilisi Temur Kurkhuli, Governor of Zugdidi Area- Alexandre Kobalia, Mayor of Zugdidi City - Ira Jikia and President of St.Lazarus Daycare Center “Aisi” - Givi Chikobava.

Art Therapy Since 2003 the First Step (TFS) village has incorporated art therapy into its curriculum at the village’s education center and the integrated class in Tbilisi. The art therapist works with the children both individually and as a group to help them discover and develop their creative potential. It fosters the child’s desire for independent activity and gives them the opportunity to solve physical, emotional and social problems wherever possible.

During group classes, they learn social skills and the importance of equality and sharing. Furthermore, art therapy incorporates the use of imitative arts to develop a sense of responsibility and to establish new relationships.

Art Therapy includes: drawing, painting, modeling, appliqué work, chalk drawing, drawing in groups, etc. Different materials are em-ployed for drawing. Art Therapy encompasses general educational exercises, sensory-motor skill elements, cognitive games, and other skill-enhancing activities.

They talk about themselves, display their artwork, and share their emotions with those around them. “Children love painting and other imitative arts, and for some of them art therapy is the perfect opportunity for self-realization and self-expression.”

M a r r i a g e - a f i r s t f o r T F S - Z v i a d i a n d A n n aSince childhood Zviadi has lived at the Kaspi Institution, dreaming of his parents and home, though his family never once visited him. As he started to grow older the issue arose of moving him to an alternative institution. This was the most difficult period of Zviadi’s life since he remembered his family but felt no one was waiting for him. TFS and its social workers were eventually successful in moving Zviadi, (and his childhood friends from Kaspi Ramaz and Zuriko) to the Gremi community, a village in Eastern Georgia where young adults and adults with intellectual disability live in a community environment with people without disability.

Zviadi’s life has completely changed since his move to Gremi: he is now employed at a local factory and actively participates in the community life of Gremi. He takes great pride in his work and shows it off to friends, but the most significant change has been in his private life.

At Gremi, he met and fell in love with another community member, Anna. After seeking the advice of friends on matters of the heart he finally managed to win her heart, and they decided to get married. The couple overcame the concerns of Anna’s mother, and married one beautiful, sunny day in June 2005.

The wedding was a wonderful celebration, with guests from as afar away as Germany and The First Step staff in attendance! The couple and their guests were all very excited. Zviadi’s best man was his childhood friend, Ramaz, and Anna’s maid of honour her best friend and fellow Gremi Community resident. After the ceremony, everyone celebrated this very significant event in the traditional Georgian way with a big feast and lots of dancing and toasting. The couple was also showered with many thoughtful presents.

This milestone event marks the first time a young man raised since childhood at Kaspi has married.

I n t e g r a t e d c l a s s e s i n Z u g d i d iAs the 2004-2005 academic year came to an end thoughts began to turn to summer holidays. In The First Step integrated classrooms in Zugdidi, whispers abounded about how summer holidays would be spent. However, the teachers and school administrator soon realized that ten of the children would not be going on summer holidays due to financial difficulties.

TFS decided to set up a Summer Camp for these children and applied for assistance from the lo-cal government, which provided funding for a ten-day camp. We selected a site in the mountains surrounded by forests and famous for its mineral water.

The children were overjoyed when they finally settled into the camp. Five teachers accompa-nied the group and ensured different kinds of entertaining and cognitive activities were enjoyed

by all the children. As it turned out, the children easily adapted to their new daily routine at camp. They awoke happily in the early morning and even tried to wake up their friends. Every day, they participated in physical exercises and drank the mineral water renown for its healing properties. They played games, swam, and in the evenings sat around the campfire and told fairytales. One day, they took a field trip to a XII century church, which had a great impression on them. The group ensured that different kinds of entertaining and cognitive activities were enjoyed by all the children.

On August 28th, St. Mariam’s day, Georgians’ celebrate an ancient ritual (similar to Halloween) when a special fire is made to protect people from evil spirits.

S u m m e r H o l i d a y s : The residents of the first cottage went to the Black Sea resorts of Kobuleti and Ureki in west-ern Georgia for their summer holidays. The second cottage residents spent their summer holidays in Borjomi and Tsemi in western Georgia. The FS team developed a special summer vacation programme for them, including sports activities, fashion shows, reading activities, music and dance parties, drawing competitions, swimming, etc. The team also led field trips and excursions where they learned how to enjoy nature. Evenings were spent around the campfire they made themselves, eating their supper and singing songs.

At the seaside resort Natia was recognized by her relatives who had not seen her since she had been placed at the Kaspi Institution. They expressed very cordial attitude and love to Natia and every day would come to see her. She was very proud to be with her rela-tives. “In spite of my sincere love for Natia, it’s very sad that she has not been growing up with her parents and relatives in a family environment” - “Housemother’s” reflection.

N i k o ’ s s u c c e s s f u l s t o r y Niko lived at the Kaspi Institution from the age of 3 to 24. While there, he gained the love and respect of the whole community, but nevertheless, like every other child at Kaspi, he constantly dreamt of returning to his parents and his home.

When The First Step (TFS) social workers (SW) located his family, Niko insisted on returning to them. He eventually did, and although he had a difficult period of adjustment, he did not want to go back to the institution. The family shared everything they had with Niko, and he was as involved in family business as other family members. The social workers helped Niko find a job at a wine factory and his income boosts the family’s welfare.

Niko is now fully integrated into his family, who shower him with warmth and affection, and he has made good friends in his new neighborhood as well. He enjoys making decisions independently – a very different way of life than at Kaspi, but for Niko, Kaspi is in the past. Today, life presents Niko with choices and he is able to envisage and plan for a bright future.

Indeed, his life today is better than he could have ever dreamt. He recently travelled to Japan as a successful ski competition participant and returned laden with presents and a wonderfully positive attitude. Despite his terrible years at Kaspi he is now wholeheartedly aware of the fullness and joy of life.

I n t e g r a t e d c l a s s i n T b i l i s iThe start of a new school year is always exciting, but for the children returning for their 3rd year in the integrated class in Tbilisi, this new school year marks a milestone!During the summer holidays, the Georgian Social Investment Fund, together with the City of Tbilisi, paid to renovate the school now equipped with an elevator for disabled children.When Keti, the class teacher, led the children and parents into the refurbished classroom they were delighted to see its new repairs and equipment. On that first day no one was in a hurry to leave! Everyone had plenty of fun stories to share as they looked at photos and paintings of their summer holidays.The first day at school went very quickly and the children started to plan the next day of school. Learning is fun!

V i s i t i n g b i o l o g i c a l f a m i l yThe main goal of the First Step Foundation is to return the chil-dren to their biological families. Our endeavors are concentrated in two directions: To work with children and to work with family members. As a result of our long-term activities, for a short time this summer several children visited with their biological families.

L i t t l e G i o r g i ’ s h i s t o r y

Little Giorgi is just one TFS success story. He went home to his biological family for a short stay. While there his older brother took care of him and they became close friends. Together, they visited relatives and friends. Giorgi was given warmth, care and love by his parents and he remembers the days spent at home with great joy.

“Housemother’s” re-flections on summer holidays:“We spent summer holi-days at seaside resort. 15- year old Giorgi almost fell in love with his friend. Giorgi would often go to her house and sing songs

to her. Currently they maintain telephone contact”.

“TFS children have spent sum-mer holidays at the Ureki sea-side resort. Once Dato saw a middle aged married couple carrying firewood. He offered his assistance and put all the firewood in the lorry. The cou-ple deeply appreciated his work and blessed him for his help.”

The First Step (TFS)Room 504, 74a Chavchavadze ave., Tbilisi, 0162, GeorgiaTel.: (995 32) 25 25 19; 23 01 40 Fax: (995 32) 25 25 19mail: tfs@tfs.ge www.tfs.ge

Can you help? Help us to give more children a better life.........We would be most grateful for any assistance you can give towards our work.Don’t forget a little money goes a long way in Georgia.Whatever you can spare, we can use. Do contact us and help a child.

The Next Step - Children of the CaucasusReg Charity No in Ireland: CHY 13956

5 Clanwilliam SquareDublin 2, Ireland Email _des.macmahon@santos.ie Tel.: (353) 1 6619911

The Next Step - Children of the Caucasus Reg Charity in England and Wales: No 1109500

40 Uverdale RoadLondon SW10 OSR, United KingdomEmail; _janecorboytfs@aol.comTel.: (44) (0)207 352 7071

C h r i s t m a s c e l e b r a t i o nThis year, the children of the First Step Foundation had a wonderful Christmas! Inspired Broadcast Networks, Europe’s largest network entertainment provider, kindly donated £750 to the First Step Foundation exclusively for Christmas parties and presents. This money made it possible for each of the First Step Foundation’s 180 children to enjoy the holidays and have their own Christ-mas gift.

TFS staff strived to make the holidays as special as ever for each and every child. They were asked to make wishes and then the staff rushed around Tbilisi to find the gifts to make their wishes come true: cars, Barbie dolls, balls, music players, watches, etc.

All three cottages of the First Step Village and each TFS integrated class in the mainstream schools of Tbilisi and Zugdidi were deco-rated with new Christmas trees. At the Kaspi Institution for disabled children (where TFS has been actively implementing health moni-toring programs since 1998) the children received warm clothes, sweets and presents. For the young adults at Gremi community TFS brought food and some presents since their financial resources are limited. Last year, 8 children from the TFS Village (those who had turned 18) were transferred to Gremi rural community.

Most joyful for the children were the Christmas parties in Tbilisi and Zugdidi organized by TFS. In Tbilisi, the “Fairy Tale Theater” was invited to perform and the children had a wonderful time with Santa Claus, Mary Poppins, and Cinderella. All the friends and parents of TFS residents were invited and everyone enjoyed the evening long singing and dancing.

The supervisory board and the staff of the First Step Foundation expresses their heartfelt and sincere gratitude to the employees of Inspired Broadcast Networks for the happiness and joy they brought to the life of almost 200 children and their families and friends for this Christmas!

T h a n k y o u .

Are you a Georgian Tax payer?If so, you can reclaim a tax rebate on your donation to TFS. Please contact Theona at the TFS officesTel.: (995) 32 252519 / 230140

Are you a UK Tax payer?We can benefit from UK Gift Aid on any donationyou make to TNS, if you are a UK tax payer.Please contact Edith Deacy for detailsedith_deacy@yahoo.co.uk

Are you an Irish Tax payer?If you are a PAYE taxpayer we can reclaim tax on your donation. If you do not pay PAYE but pay other personal taxes you can reclaim tax on your donation.Please contact des.macmahon@santos.ie

Juliet Mills, the daughter of TNS Trustee Jonathan Mills, who is a Pupil at Holy Child Killiney in Dublin took part in the school’s sponsored walk and raised Euro 120 for toys for the First Step kids.

P a r e n t ’ s q u o t e“Since Giorgi attended the First Step school, he is satisfied within himself more and more...“ - Irma Beria mother of 8 year old Giorgi;

“With the First Step school our lives drastically changed, furthermore it also changed ourchild’s attitude towards us… I wish my child will continue to study at the First Step school” - Shorena Balakhashvili mother of 9 year old Lika;

“Since my son commenced at the First Step school his life became more attractive and full of positive emotions, this is the aim of my life, this is everything for me” - Marina Lebanidze mother of 15 year old Tedo;

“Our child has become more sociable, more cheerful. For the first time she has got an aimin her life. It is to go to school” - Zyrab Abashidze father of 4 year old Elene;

“At the First Step school my daughter receives a perfect service, which we her family would have no hope of providing for her. I want you to continue supporting us!” - Marina Kurdova-nidze mother of 12 year old Mariam;