On November 21, 2008 Micheal Martin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ireland visited The First Step Children’s Vil-lage in Digomi, Tbilisi, Georgia. Minister Mar-tin was welcomed by Nino Zhvania, co-founder of The First Step; Keti Melikadze, TFS Director and members of the First Step Georgian Supervisory Board.

Irish Aid, the Government of Ireland’s development agency, is currently funding a three-year programme for First Step which introduces innovative and new practices to help children with intel-lectual disability and their families. The Irish Foreign Minister was interested to see at first hand the progress and results of this work. After a presentation of TFS work, he said how delighted he was with what has been achieved over the past ten years. In his thank you letter following his visit he wrote: ``I know that my whole delegation was deeply impressed by the commitment of the staff of the village and by what you are trying to achieve in the field of disability in Georgia. I feel very proud that

Ireland is associated with your work``.

Minister Martin was accompanied by Geoffrey Keating, Irish Ambassador to Georgia, Aleksandre Kvitashvili, Georgian Minister of Labor Health and Social Affairs and Koba Nako-pia, Member of Georgian Parliament.

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 horren-dous living conditions of disabled orphans living in the state-run Kaspi Institution in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia. Ten year later, we are proud to have grown and accomplished so much to help these children lead meaningful 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 chil-dren’s eyes are filled with hope instead of despair as they reach for their personal potential as constructive members of society.

Newsletter April 2009T h e F i r s t S t e p F o u n d a t i o n

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.

I r I s h M I n I s t e r o f f o r e I g n A f f A I r s v I s I t s t h e f I r s t s t e p v I l l A g e

Micheal Martin-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland, Day Care Center’s children Tekla and Roma

Micheal Martin - Minister for Foreign Affairs of Irland; Nino Zhvania - TFS co-founder;

Alexandre Kvitashvili - Minister of Labor Health and Social Affairs

n I n o Z h v A n I A

c o - f o u n d e r

“Recently I have looked through a book and found a very interesting phrase: “What will rescue the world is people thinking outside the box”- I think our project is like this, very idealistic but also very pragmatic.”

It’s all started when two ladies, Jane Corboy and Nino Zhvania visited a psycho-neurological orphanage at Kaspi and launched intensive activities to physically rescue disabled children located there. The almost lifeless children were transferred to the Tbilisi Hospital No 3 where not only first aid but also adequate living conditions and proper care were provided to them.

This first engagement was then followed by numerous efforts and challenges. We began to set up new services inspired by the chil-dren’s needs. When their lives were no more threatened, we tried to tackle far-reaching goals: to supply them with everyday neces-sities, protect their health, ensure their education and develop their skills.

That’s how the First Step children’s village was created. In 2001 the first cottage was constructed. In 2004 two more buildings were added: a cottage and a day care centre. A special education programme was designed for the 24 children in the residential service in the village taking into account individual developmental needs to enable them to fully realize their potential. In an effort to make school more in-teresting and fun, classes for sport, music, art and scientific activities have also been established.

TFS continues introducing new patterns to diversify services that are put into prac-tice in accordance to the requirements of the local environment. Other similar type organisations are encouraged to use these models and very often they succeed to do so. Generally, the public sector co-finances such projects which is a very good sign for private donors since it guarantees the quality and reliability of TFS perform-ance.

The creation of the day care centre in the TFS village and the starting of integrated education allowed TFS to support children who lived with their families. We felt the need to introduce a new programme for Empowering Parents to help them better assist their children with disabilities. Very soon we saw that not only it provided parents with specific knowledge but it was a very useful tool as well to bring them together and jointly advocate for children’s interests.

TFS diversified further the support for parents by adding a home based care service. Our pediatrician, special teacher, occupational, speech and language therapists visit the children in their home and give real support to the parents.

We are very proud that TFS was one of the key-players in persuading the Ministry of Education to close down the notorious Kaspi orphanage and transfer children to the modernized western-type institution at Kodjori. But let us tell more about it in another chap-ter.

Our foundation now focuses on developing various study courses for basic specialists of TFS and on their retraining as trainers, so that they are able to impart the acquired knowl-edge and experience to the other TFS employees, in ad-dition to other interested organisations for disabled in the public or private sectors. For example, trainings were car-ried out at the Kodjori and Senaki institutions, St Lazarus day care “Aisi” in Tbilisi, St Lazarus day care in Zugdidi and many others.

Today, due to this “multiplier effect” training system, over 200 children benefit from our service and many others are taken care of by other organisations who have been already trained by TFS. We are considered to be a strong and reli-able partner of Education and Health Ministries as we are actively involved in the ongoing Child Welfare Reform. We are seeking to build a better future for vulnerable children and want them to be a fully empowered part of society.

t e n Y e A r s o f f I r s t s t e p

Geraldine Boland, the training manager with St Michaels House in Dublin, our most valued volunteer, visited TFS in Tbilisi for one week at the beginning of April. She car-ried out a review and made assessments of all TFS programmes. This was particularly valuable at this time, in view of the difficult current economic circumstance.

A M o s t w e l c o M e v I s I t o r

Anne Davy, TNS Trustee, Keti Melikadze, TFS Director, Geraldine Boland, TNS volunteer, Tamuna Isakadze, Assistance Psychologist, Irma Gotsiridze, Medical Program Coordinator

n I n o K u p A t A d Z e

T F S B o a r d M e m b e r

N a t i o n a l C o o r d i n a t o r o f t h e T e c h n i c a l S e c r e t a r i a t t o t h e G o v e r n m e n t ’ s C o m m i s s i o n o n C h i l d P r o t e c t i o n a n d D e - i n s t i t u t i o n a l i z a t i o n .

“Once you come into contact with children, you can’t stop, TFS is the lifelong commitment.”

TFS Children

On July 25th a group of three reasonably fit young men working in Georgia for BP, the US Embassy and Care International set off to climb Mount Kazbek to raise money for the First Step Foundation, a charity set up in 1998 to help disabled children in Georgia.

Duyane Norman, political officer at the US Embassy, Jonathan Puddifoot, head of Care International in Georgia and Matt Taylor, BP’s head of external affairs, successfully scaled the 16,000 foot Mount Kazbek on Sunday 27th July, despite strong winds, tired legs and a lack of experience in high mountain climbing. They were helped tremendously by being led by a local Georgian mountain guide, Irakli, whose knowledge of the mountain was critical in ensuring a safe and successful outcome.

Matt Taylor from BP said “the idea to climb Mount Kazbek came to us last winter having spoken to others who had made the climb in 2007. Of course it was set as a personal challenge for us and something to get fit for…to work off the excesses of Georgian hos-pitality. However we also wanted to use the opportunity to raise funds for a successful Georgian charity. I set up a web page on behalf of all three of us and we sent it around to work colleagues, friends and family all around the world. We have all been delighted with the response and have managed to raise over $17,000 for the

First Step’s work. Thank you to all that donated to the cause.”

“This charitable act is very important to us, firstly because this money will be used to improve the water supply system in the newly renovated Kodjori institution for disabled children and secondly because it sets an example of giving to those who are in need” – says Keti Melikadze, director of the First Step Foundation.

A M I l l I o n s t e p s I n A I d o f t h e f I r s t s t e p

I r I t h r A p p A p o r t T N S B o a r d M e m b e r

V P C o r p o r a t e a n d F i n a n c i a l C o m m u n i c a t i o n

P o l i c y G o v e r n m e n t R e l a t i o n s a n d C o r p o r a t e A f f a i r s

“I was a founding member, who followed Jane Corboy into a most exciting and worthy project, even mission, one could say which at the time was unique.

TFS means for me that with vision, perse-verance and good people, nothing is im-possible. I am proud to be part of such a dynamic and successful adventure.”

g I o v A n n A B A r B e r I s

R e p r e s e n t a t i v e , U N I C E F G e o r g i a

“The main aim of UNICEF in Georgia is to assist children in meeting their right to survive and develop to their best potential. Children with disabili-ties are especially vulnerable and in need of special protection: for almost 10 years UNICEF and First Step have been successfully collaborating and partnering in helping these children to meet their special needs. The pro-fessional attitude and high dedication of TFS staff, administration, founders and supporters made lives of children with disabilities deprived of parental care or residing with their families more valued and better supported. Building a Child Welfare System where all children in Georgia will receive quality care and will be fully integrated in society is a vision that both our organizations by working together are determined to achieve.

We congratulate TFS for the success and hard work pursued and we are convinced that our joint efforts will make a difference for all children of Georgia.

For Every Child Health, Education, Equality, Protection

ADVANCE HUMANITY”

Jonathan Puddifoot, Duyane Norman and Matt Taylor On the Kazbegi Mountain

My unfulfilled childhood dream was to become a school teacher. Years passed by and at least for the last eight years I’ve been lucky enough to work for children, very special and vulnerable ones. They need love and attention more than others because they miss too many things in life, particularly, motherly care.

I’ll always remember when I first met them. They were looking at me with eyes wide open with curiosity and sadness at the same time. I had to struggle with myself, I wasn’t sure whether I could meet their expectations.

In the end, I stepped into the First Step world determined to give all my energy and love they required so much.

Since that day, I’ve been telling to everyone I know that these are just ordinary children. Like others, they feel the same. They play, they laugh and want to be happy. Although they express their wishes differently. I try to understand them as any mother would do for her children.

They call me mother Daro. I’m with them day and night spending weekends only with my own family.

One of my most memorable experiences in the early days at TFS was when I tried to soothe a crying girl. Her name was Mediko and she was the youngest resident there. She was par-ticularly sad that evening and I knew why when I learned that she had been just abandoned by her mother. Surely she’s missing her mum, I told myself and I cuddled her very tenderly. Suddenly she smiled back and went asleep. I was reassured. Maybe I was able to be as af-fectionate as parents.

Well, there are so many things to say about aunts-children relations as well but it will better if you visit us at the Village to see mother Daro, aunts and their beloved children.

d A r e j A n – h o u s e M o t h e r A t t h e t f s r e s I d e n t I A l h o u s e

Our wonderful ladies have done it again – Despite the difficult economiccircumstances in Ireland, this “super woman” committee organised a great funevent and our wonderful supporters again gave most generously for Georgian disad-vantaged children. The annual Christmas lunch raised over Euro 48,000which will go a long way to helping Georgian children with disability and their

families.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR THEIR GENEROUSITY

A n o t h e r g r e A t c o n t r I B u t I o n f r o M t h e c h r I s t M A s l u n c h c o M M I t t e e

Laura Nolan, Committee; Sharon Crosbie, Committee; Jane Corboy, TNS Trustee; Des Macmahon, TNS Chairman;

Jane Baker, Committee; Joanna Garvin, Committee; Linda Sutcliffe, Chair Committee

The Transition year students at Clongowes Wood College in Ireland pushed their fibre class duck from Dublin to Limerick last June and raised an amazing Euro 35,000 for our kids. The school has been supporting the work of First Step for the past three years and have donated a total of over Eur 90,000 in support of various programmes – the Kodjori Group Home, the Day care centre in TFS village and the TFS medical programme.

As TFS co-founder Jane Corboy said in January when accepting the cheque from Clongowes Principal Father Moloney. “ We are immensely grateful to the boys for their great commitment and support for our kids. It is wonderful and truly an inspira-tion that young men receiving a privileged education in this fine school are helping these deprived children far away from our shores who are marginalised and have few people helping or caring for them.”

“ d u c K p u s h ” f o r c h A r I t Y

Clongowes Wood College

``Mother`` Darejan with Children

``Mother`` Darejan

Initially, The First Step was founded in 1998 to support the children with disabilities living in Kaspi institution.

But that was ten years ago...

Recently, TFS was requested by the Minister of Health to help create a small group home at Kodjori for 25 children from Kaspi.

The building was structurally good but needed total renovation. TFS carried out major refurbishment of electricity, water and heating systems and the bedrooms, bathrooms and toilets were completely renovated..

We did our best to create a beautiful environment full of bright colours and toys. Even the furniture was especially chosen to please the children.

At the same time, we started to train the new personnel and helped them to set up individual development programmes for each child. Our pediatrician regularly visits them and assists the local doctor.

The most important thing that happened was that the kids liked the place very much. Good people and healthy food did miracles, quite soon the sad eyes that we used to see filled with joy and happiness. Dreams do indeed come true!

The renovation and equipping of Kodjori and the training course for the staff was made a reality thanks to the generousity of an anonymous UK corporate donor,

4th years at Clongowes Wood College in Ireland UNICEF and TNS Trustees Norman Crowley and Jonathan Mills.

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THESE GENEROUS DONORS

t h e K o d j o r I h o u s e d r e A MA n e w h o M e f o r 2 5 c h I l d r e n f r o M K A s p I o r p h A n A g e

t A M t A g o l u B I A n I

H e a d o f C h i l d C a r e D i v i s i o n

M i n i s t r y o f E d u c a t i o n a n d S c i e n c e o f G e o r g i a

“I first met with TFS director, team members and founders when in 2004 I started working at the Ministry of Education and Science. I still remember discussions we had and I was truly impressed by TFS’s both rational and comprehensive approach to children problems prevailing in Georgia. We then came to the conclusion that the country was ready to start reforming the child care system where the core principle would be children at home, not in orphanages. We firmly believe that fam-ily environment is one of the main preconditions for normal child and adolescent development.

Since the early days of the reform until today the Foundation has largely supported the state authorities to define new policy and implement the reform undertaken. Today, TFS is a unique organization throughout the country which provides resi-

dential services of such high quality standards. There is so much more still to be done but undoubtedly children now live in a safe and healthy environment and it could not have happened without the effort and commitment of the entire TFS team.”

n u t s I o d I s h A r I A C E D C P r o g r a m m e M a n a g e r

W o r l d V i s i o n

“TFS is a group of passionate professionals who are pleasure to work with!”

Children at Kodjori House

Kodjori House

First Step started the first integrated education class for special needs children in School No 10 in 2003. This was a big step at the time but it has changed the lives of the children involved.

The class consists of six children with mild disabilities and three teachers: a methodist, a special teacher and a music teacher.

The methodist works out curricula and sets up weekly learning schedules. If the pro-gramme is too difficult, the psychologist who is also present, intervenes and modifies the content. Sometimes, the occupational therapist, professional doctor and a good friend of children, are asked to help as well.

Don’t imagine that our children cannot tackle general and even complex subjects like Georgian language, maths, geography, physics and chemistry. Certainly, they do it in their own way, learning is fun for them.

In our adult language this means setting academic objectives for integrated classes, supporting social integration and inclusive education. We try to accomplish these goals through joint recreation, lunches in the canteen, sports games, entertainment activi-ties in the classroom or outside the school. This is all planned by the methodist to-gether with other teachers and students from different classes.

You won’t believe me if I tell you that all above others the children prefer physics and chemistry and you’ll be quite right. The most popular subject is music of course!

They even have their own group – an integrated orchestra. They can feel music like others, although according to their teacher, they are much more gifted. The music class was created in October 2007 to teach music in general, Georgian folk music in particular, but at the same time to increase children’s social interaction. During the short period of its existence, the orchestra has performed at various schools and on stage and finally children participated in a festival, the most important event of all!

Very often their classmates act as teachers because they understand each other so well. Apart from formal subjects, the children are taught good habits i.e. how to behave at home, at parties, at outings etc.

It’s very amusing to observe that parents and kids learn together. During joint classes, mums and dads are very active participants and they find lessons and school activities most interesting and enjoyable. Other parents do not hesitate to be involved either which confirms once again that our integrated class is a real success!

We have the first four gradu-ates this year and we are confident that they have ac-quired all the vital skills and necessary knowledge for in-tegration into society.

l e A r n I n g A n d f u n

TFS Children Datuna, Giorgi, Nika, Giorgi and Niniko at their integrated class

A n n e d A v Y - T N S B o a r d M e m b e r

“Jacinta Hogan introduced me to Jane Corboy, and her work with TFS in Georgia.

I did not realise how captivated I would be with the children, the staff and the work being done by them for disability in Georgia.

It happened here in Ireland a generation ago, but now I can help by supporting this cause through TNS in Dublin. My involvement has put me in touch with great people who work quietly to make a difference for the most vulnerable. It has introduced me to a wonderful part of the world which I would never have visited, and now I feel quite at home in Tbilisi. And we have fun.”

d e s M A c M A h o n

T N S B o a r d M e m b e r

D i r e c t o r o f S a n t o s E n g i n e e r i n g S e r v i c e s L t d a n d c h a r t e r e d c i v i l e n g i n e e r .

“I am inspired by the wonderful work The First Step is doing in providing ser-vices to make a better life for disabled children and young adults in Georgia.

TFS to me means a commitment to helping the disabled children and young adults in Georgia realise their full potential as human beings.”

A u d I t c o M p A n Y “ t s o d n I s A ”

We have carried out TFS 2006 - 2007 annual financial and activity audit in conformity with the Georgian law and in-ternational practice. The audit clearly showed that over the last years, TFS has considerably diversified and extended its services and all the project resources have been used only for charitable purposes.

It’s not about making assessment of our work. We can talk about tangible results only when our activities will be no more needed. Until then, we must keep go-ing on according to our motto The First Step. Today we are celebrating the 10th anniversary, ten year experience built on our continuous effort full of positive feedback and gratitude which is the best reward of all. Some thoughts from TFS staff members following 10 years of First Step:

Nino Museliani (Residential Programs Administrator): “TFS is a place where chil-dren are happy, healthy and have colourful dreams. TFS has also greatly helped to shape my own personality.”

Rusiko Bochorishvili (Development Team Coordinator): “The First Step is not my routine but a part of my life, a challenging and very interesting job. Every bit of

time and energy spent at TFS is rewarded tenfold. In spite of frequently encountered problems, I like very much being here. It is also my work that has taught me to approach difficulties from a philosophical point of view and dealing with them is great for my personal development. I’m much grateful for that.”

Tamuna Zaalishvili (Social/Training Program Coordinator): “I can’t talk about The First Step as an ordinary place of work where you go every day, carry out your duty during the hours assigned and then get your salary as the month ends. It’s something totally different, much more important, interesting but hard and stress-ful too. I often ask myself, why have I spent so many years here, what kind of force is it that makes me stay? I find the answer in the children’s and parents’ eyes and it fills me with renewed strength and motivation. But it’s certainly not the only reason. Each time I go to TFS I am so happy to see all those who work there. My colleagues are at the same time my teachers. During all these years I’ve learned and achieved a lot of things thanks to them. Every day at The First Step is really the first step!”

Tata Nikoladze (Project Coordinator): “An important revelation it was for us all to see that we could make such a big step. We did our best to tackle challenges: from transferring the children from Kaspi to launching the programme for empowering parents and got the results we expected!”

Nino Chichinadze (Financial Manager): “It’s just gorgeous! TFS is captivating, engaging, “brain-drilling” , stimulating and result oriented.”

Giorgi Demetrashvili (Educational Program Coordinator): “TFS gives me a chance to use and develop my personal capacity. It’s here that I’ve understood what I’m going to do in the coming years.”

Nini Bakhtadze (Social Worker): “Working for TFS means to me the most valuable task that a human being could accomplish. It’s such a great pleasure when you see these happy and grateful eyes and you feel that despite all the stress, exhaustion and disappointment you went through, it’s definitely worth it.”

Tamila Sulashvili (Pediatrician): “At this stage of my life TFS is a focal point for all my thoughts and deeds!!!”

Keti Melikadze (Director): “It’s the driving force of my life and makes me feel so optimistic! I know why and for whom I’m doing it! I see the result, I see the future and I feel confident!”

Lali Svimonishvili ( Accountant): “Such a wonderful feeling when you’re doing good things!”

Theona Khukhunashvili (Deputy Director): “There were three of us making the first steps equipped with a single computer in a one-room office of The First Step. But we knew precisely what our intentions and goals were. And today when I say that I am part of TFS I am very proud of it.”

t f s t e A M

TFS Team Members

M Z I A B A Z g A d Z e

T F S B o a r d M e m b e r

“When children with disabilities are abandoned by their families, it has to be our society’s moral duty to take care of them. I am trying to make my personal contribution through The First Step Foundation and I am happy to notice that I am not the only one.”

TFS Team Members

During the ten years of its existence The First Step has had numerous friends and dedicated supporters. Some have provided just an occassional help but more fre-quently, individuals or organisations have preferred to establish a long-term relationship with us.

St. Michael’s House (SMH), one of Ireland’s most prom-inent service providers for disabled (www.smh.ie) de-serves a very special mention among our donors due to its valuable contribution to TFS development. Since its foundation in the 1950’s by a group of parents SMH has grown into one of the largest organisations servic-ing more than 1,500 children and adults and their families. At the same time, SMH College offers various multi-level education to those who wish to work with children and adults with intellectual disability.

The continuing partnership between our organisations started after a meeting between Jane Corboy (TFS co-founder) and Vicky Blom-field from SMH in 2004 which has given new impetus to the evolution of TFS.

All the numerous steps undertaken to make these links closer would be too long to list here. But still let me talk about just a few of them. For exemple, a study visit of Georgian politicians and gov-ernment representatives to Ireland in order to familiarise themselves with the servicing system for persons with special needs was of great importance. The concrete outcome of this visit organised by TFS and hosted by SMH was that upon their return in Georgia, the public service officials started to set up a system based on the Irish model aiming at ensuring adequate conditions for disabled in the country.

The major part of activities in the TFS-SMH cooperation framework has been focused on TFS per-sonnel’s professional growth and development which is also one of our long term objectives. We wish to make the unique experiences of TFS accessible to other organisations in Georgia and sup-port them in every possible way.

To this end, a series of specific courses have been provided: two-month training in Ireland of four leading team members following which thay have become trainers of two main educational pro-grammes; another practical training course of a TFS occupational therapist in 2007; a course on

effective practices of challenging behaviour to train two TFS psychologists in 2008 at SMH; a management course for TFS director at the SMH College. Based on this experience, a set of adapted teaching models have been elaborated and successfully introduced in TFS educational programme.

Over the past four years, St. Michael’s House have organised the following training programmes for TFS staff: A two month trainers of trainers programme for four senior TFS clinical staff October – December 2006 ; a two week training course for a TFS occupa-tional therapist in 2007; two TFS psychologists attended a course on managing challenging behaviour in 2008; TFS Director attended a management training course in 2008 at the Open Training College. Following this very valuable collaboration, TFS professional team have created a set of adapted teaching models relevant to the Georgian reality and are actively running training courses throughout Georgia.

By the time, relations bettween us have gone far beyond their formal framework. Our Irish friends are now personally helping us. “It’s an honour for me to be a TFS volunteer. I’m very much impressed by the director’s and team members’ professionalism

and unreserved dedication to achieve a high quality service for disabled children and their families. TFS has a vast potential to become a leading service provider in the region and a good practice guide for other Eastern European countries”, says Geraldine Boland, SMH Training and Development Manager.

We are also particularly grateful for the SMH donation consisting of occupational therapy support equipment (adaptable bed, wheelchairs etc) which has consider-ably improved our children’s everyday life.

True friends do not expect anything in return, they feel it’s their duty to do good things. But today when we celebrate the 10th anniversary of TFS, we wish to address special words of gratitude to St. Michael’s House, to our Irish friends for their kindness, for sav-ing so many Georgian children’s lives and for smiles on their faces.

t h e f I r s t s t e p f o u n d A t I o n A n d s t . M I c h A e l ’ s h o u s e

TFS Trainers: Tamuna, Ruso, Giorgi

n A t I A j A p A r I d Z e

T F S B o a r d M e m b e r

C o n s u l t a n t , F o r m e r A m b a s s a d o r o f G e o r g i a t o F r a n c e

“It is a great privilege to be The First Step Board Member be-cause this is a unique organiza-tion in Georgia today that has such a complex, competent and thoughtful approach with regard to children with disabilities. Thanks to TFS team and our foreign partners the future of one of the most vulnerable groups of the Georgian soci-ety is in very good hands.”

l A l I M e s K h I

T F S B o a r d M e m b e r

I n t e r n a t i o n a l D e v e l o p m e n t E x p e r t

“Devotion and truthfulness of those from Ireland taking care of Georgian disabled children in the last ten years, is astonishing.

Several years ago Jane Corboy, co-founder of The First Step, invited me to visit The First Step children’s village, I was inspired and pleased to see, wishing all abandoned children in Georgia have similar living conditions and care.”

The day care centre is located in the TFS village. From the outside it looks just like the other two cottages, but if you go in,

you’ll be immediately convinced that miracles do happen.

Our day care centre was founded four years ago and is unique as it is the only school in Georgia educating children with moderate or profound intellectual disabilities to acquire life skills and help their integration into society.

We have five different age groups between 5 and 18 year.. Each group of six children has a method-ist who sets out individual programmes and a specialized education teacher who implements them

Five core programmes function at the day care:Art therapy•Sports and occupational therapy•Science•“ABC” for preschool youngsters•Specially designed programme for severely and profoundly •disabled

It’s particularly tough to be a teacher of the day care. Only those with a strong sense of responsibility and high degree of professionalism can lead to success. The ability of unreserved love and care is also crucial. If you have

all these qua l i t i e s , your effort

is rewarded and you are part of TFS team.

Our wonderland proposes many creative ways to keep everybody entertained. Learning be-comes more interesting and fun during weekly outings organised for children, their parents and teachers. It’s very important to establish close links with the outside world so that people per-ceive our children as an integral part of society. Remember, they aren’t different, they’re just like you and me!

n A t o A l K h A Z I s h v I l I

T F S B o a r d M e m b e r

D e p u t y D i r e c t o r o f U N D P R e g i o n a l C e n t e r i n B r a t i s l a v a

“Membership in TFS Board allows me to be part of achieving something very concrete and tangible for my country; gives me a chance to “give back” to the society and participate in a very exciting change in the life of the kids.”

t f s d A Y c A r e c e n t r ethIs Is our tInY wonderlAnd fIlled wIth love And AffectIon

Teenager Giorgi’s favourite hobby is singing in spite of many painful childhood experiences he had to go through: from cerebral palsy diagnosis to a refugee status due to the war in Abkhazia (Western Georgia). The parents found it very difficult to keep the child at home and four-year Giorgi was sent to Kaspi institution. He was one of those children who were transferred by TFS from that notorious orphanage to Children’s Hospital No 3 in Tbilisi.

Following two major surgery operations, Giorgi was able to walk for the first time and his eyesight also considerably improved.

In 2002, The First Step opened the Children’s Village in Dighomi (near Tbilisi) where Giorgi with eleven other children discovered a family-like environment filled with love and care.

It’s amazing to observe how much one can achieve regardless of disability, if there is a strong will and adequate support. Giorgi graduated from a special school and is now involved in singing, painting and swimming courses. He adores theatre and enjoys very much being on stage. He is learning wood carving and knows how to use a photocopying machine. The progress is astonishing! But the mystery lies in Giorgi’s communication capability. He spends his holidays in the mountains or at the sea and is immensely popular among children.

Giorgi aged 18 has lived in the TFS Village since 2002 and this is what he thinks:

“I’m blessed where I live. It’s so good to be with Daro. I’m the happiest person of all. She’s also very nice to us because she knows kind-ness better than we do.

I’m free to do whatever I want to. I mean, I play with other children, we listen to music together. Well, it’s all very amusing and good fun!”

B e t w e e n s t r u g g l e A n d h o p eg I o r g I ’ s s t o r Y

Giorgi at Swimming Pool

TFS Day Care Center’s student Nika and his grandmother

Children Giorgi, Mishiko, Teachers Nino and Tamar at TFS Play Ground

One has to give you a one-sentence summary of our ten years experience and results, one will say the following: we have done our best to improve the quality of life for children with intellectual and physical disabilities.

Despite the fact that over the last decade The First Step has substantially expanded its operations helping more children and their families than ever, still TFS thoughts are concentrated on the future agenda. TFS founders, the senior management, the Georgian Board and the Board of Trustees are seeking new directions in order to better assist people with special needs.

One of the initial goals of our Foundation has been achieved: the horrendous or-phanage at Kaspi where many lives were destroyed, has been closed down. With TFS support, the Ministry of Education transferred the Kaspi children to a newly equipped and reconstructed institution at Kodjori.

As for future commitments, we have two main focuses: a) developing new services and b) strengthening professional development in the field of disabled welfare.

Presently, TFS provides two types of services: we offer family like living environment for children who are de-

prived of parental care. In the nearest future, we will be implementing a programme for semi independent living for adolescents to foster their integration into society; children living with their parents are also supported through another project aimed at developing their communication, learning and life skills and at the same time, empowering parents as they have a very important role to play throughout this process.

Creating respite services is also part of our plan. Its benefit is well known especially for preventing children being sent to institutions.

If we really want to achieve these rather ambitious objectives, we should pay more attention to ensuring professional growth through specialised courses and trainings for teachers, educators and other key-players in the area. Today, TFS is fully capable of carrying out training programmes for the Government and other organisations helping children and young adults with intel-lectual disability.

The biggest problem we face frequently is shortage of financial resources. Until today, TFS has been supported by international private or corporate donors the Georgian Government funding being limited to residential programme and the day care centre.

TFS cALLS FOR mORE DONATIONS FROm OUR FELLOw cITIzENS AND THE STATE. DURING TEN YEARS wE HAVE DEmONSTRATED OUR cOmmITmENT AND cOmpETENcE TO DEAL wITH THIS cOmpLEx ISSUE.

wE mUST KEEp GOING AND wE NEED YOUR HELp TO DO SO!

f u t u r e p l A n s A t f I r s t s t e p

TFS Village

TFS Village’s Playground

l I s A K A e s t n e r - T F S B o a r d M e m b e r

S e n i o r E c o n o m i s t , I n t e r n a t i o n a l F i n a n c e C o r p o r a t i o n

“I joined TFS as a board member soon after its founding. At the time I was living in Georgia and had been working a humanitarian organization. In my work, I had occasion to visit several institutions for children across Georgia and we provided some assistance to many of them. The most distressing institution was Kaspi Or-phanage, where our assistance never seemed to reach the children, the conditions were so poor, and the children probably the most vulnerable in Georgia because of their disabilities. I joined the First Step’s board because it seemed the best way to make a real difference in the lives of these children. Now, living in the States, I am not as involved in the First Step’s activities, but to me First Step remains the best answer to one of Georgia’s most difficult problems- the inheritance of a system of institutionalization of disabled children.”

Life is a strange thing, no one knows what can happen when travelling on its path. I am one of those travellers who try to accomplish goals be it mental or physical and hopefully I have carried out the mission that I was assigned to in this world. The burden I have been carrying for the last 3 years is very difficult to measure. Sometimes I feel its enormous weight, sometimes it seems very light.

One day, after 17 years of work, I suddenly found myself jobless. It happened exactly when First Step announced vacancies for caregivers and I did not hesitate to visit the organisation. The job advertisement placed outside of the building clearly said that future employees would have to deal with disabled children. I still remember myself entirely confused re-reading the advertisement, my mind focusing only on the word “disabled”. I did not dare go in and finally I decided to leave. Deep in my thoughts and somewhat defeated, I walked slowly back home. It was not about to refuse a job, even the most demanding one, but it was simply a feeling of fear of the person who had always worked with healthy children...

It took me three days to fight off my fears. I blamed myself for being a coward and was ashamed not to be ready to help children, especially those who needed it most, those born with intellectual and physical disabilities and then abandoned by their parents and families and in some cases, totally ignored.

That’s how I started my “adventures in wonderland”, in our small and cozy house with its 12 young residents who, with the help of God and kind people, have every-thing to be happy: family environment, tenderness, love and care.

In the beginning, it was very hard to work. Every time we looked at the children we had tears in our eyes, we were so profoundly touched by the sight of each of them. They seemed weird and strange to us. As time passed my attitude changed a lot. In the past I felt so sorry for them but now I think that they are ordinary human beings with their own individuality and perception of the universe. They can feel happy and sad, they can be affectionate and grateful (expressed in their eyes at least); they con-stantly wait for their mothers, they can be hurt or be cold, they also see sweet dreams although in a different way...

It is not easy to approach these children. A lot of time is needed to access their heart and soul. As they are not always cooperative it is up to you to discover and unfold them! As if you were their mother, the closest caring person of all.

Some of the children only need your physical presence and care, others are able to acquire basic skills. And there are those who necessitate special attention.

I think that the golden rule of success is love. Children never forgive if you don’t love them. And if you do they never fail to return your love. This is the greatest power of all.

In order to cope well with this tough but at the same time no-ble work a lot of effort is need-ed: you must have enough ener-gy and sense of responsibility… and the rewards are great…. happy, smiling and content chil-dren.

h o u s e M o t h e r A s M A t ’ s s t o r Y

First Step runs a residential programme for children in the TFS village and a semi independent living programme for young adults in a Tbilisi suburb

j o n A t h A n M I l l s

T N S B o a r d M e m b e r

M a n a g e m e n t C o n s u l t a n t R e d V i s i o n L t d

“I grew up in Country Limerick in Ireland which at the time was a very poor part of a poor country. My mother who was a Doctor worked closely with physically and mentally handicapped children. So now many years later I am honoured to be able to help in any way I can to help the children of Georgia. I also love travelling to Georgia and seeing the great work that the committed staff of the Village and now Kodjori and Senaki do and the remarkable results.”

``Mother``-Asmat

TFS Children with ``Mother`` Asmat

The First Step (TFS) Room 504, Tel . : (995 32) 25 25 19; Emai l : t f s@tfs .ge 74a Chavchavadze ave. 23 01 40 www.nextstepchi ldren.org Tbi l i s i , 0162, Georg ia Fax: (995 32) 25 25 19

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 Square, Dublin 2, Ireland Email: des.macmahon@santos.ie Tel.: (353) 1 6619911http://www.nextstepchildren.org

The Next Step - Children of the Caucasus Reg Charity in England and Wales: No 1109599

40 Uverdale Road, London SW10 OSR, United KingdomEmail: janecorboytfs@aol.comTel.: (44) (0)207 352 7071http://www.nextstepchildren.org

Are you a Georgian Tax payer?If so, you can reclaim a tax rebate on your donation to TFS. Please contact Theona Khukhunashvili at TFSTel.: (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

“The First Step is our second fami-•ly where we have found relief and solutions to many problems.”

“Here we receive competent • advice, comfort and support.”

“This is a chance to share our common pain and be hopeful about our children’s future.”•

“It’s so important when you don’t feel alone in your sorrow.”•

“The First Step convinced me that my child is able to learn.”•

“First my child went to the day care, then to kindergarten. I never thought it would be •possible.”

“I’ve learned a lot about relations with my own child! And not only me, now the whole •family gets involved in her life.”

“These people are as devoted and affectionate to children as we, their parents, are.”•

“The day care is the most secure place for my child. He’s always happy there.”•

“I believe in The First Step and its professional •team.”

“I’m sure that with The First Step’s support, we •will achieve many good things for our children.”

“The day care revealed to me that my daughter •has the same rights as others.”

“The First Step is a big family and I am lucky to •be its member.”

“This is an enormous umbrella under which we •all feel protected.”

p A r e n t s A B o u t t h e f I r s t s t e p

TFS Social Worker Nini Bakhtadze with Parents

K e t I K v A r t s K h A v A

T F S B o a r d M e m b e r

P a r t n e r , B u s i n e s s & L e g a l C o n s u l t i n g

“First Step is all about helping disabled people to live in a descent environment and friendly community.”

n o r M A n c r o w l e Y

T N S B o a r d M e m b e r

“I am a TFS board/TNS Board member because it means I can contribute something positive to the world in a practical way.

I consider it a privilege to be part of the pioneer-ing work of TFS which offers hope to many disad-vantaged children who would otherwise face an incredibly bleak future.

TFS works within the confines of complex beaurocracy, often overcoming adversity, in order to reach the most vulnerable.”