Vocational Training and Group Homes
World Vision Vocational Training, Kutaisi, Imereti Region, Republic of Georgia © Onnik Krikorian / NKTA 2007
As part of the process of deinstitutionalization in Georgia, the Ministry of Education and Science also works with local partners such as World Vision who also have their own team of social workers and complement state services with additional opportunities such as vocational training and group homes.
It’s interesting to read the background to a problem that also exists in Armenia on a larger scale, but is rarely reported in comparison to Georgia, although I’ve tried.
GEORGIA - Infants and children in Georgia are at a greater risk of being abandoned and placed in an institution if they have a disability or come from poor or dysfunctional families. 85 to 90% of the 5400 children in orphanages and other residential institutions in Georgia actually have parents.
[…]
In response to this crisis, World Vision, together with EveryChild, UNICEF and the Ministries of Labour, Health, Social Affairs & Education, have implemented the first ‘Prevention of Infant Abandonment and Deinstitutionalisation’ project in Georgia (PIAD) . A mother & infant shelter has been opened to provide counsel and assistance to mothers ‘at risk’ of abandoning their infants. They will also have access to employment counselling, vocational and business training and small group loans through World Vision’s Micro Enterprise Development program.
The project will also demonstrate alternative family and community based care for infants, including fostering, national adoption and reintegration with the birth family.
World Vision Vocational Training, Kutaisi, Imereti Region, Republic of Georgia © Onnik Krikorian / NKTA 2007
World Vision Group Home, outskirts of Kutaisi, Imereti Region, Republic of Georgia © Onnik Krikorian / NKTA 2007
What wonderful photographs
My pleasure has been quadrupled. These are very sensitive and evocative
photographs. Tender and tragic and the same time. They really do have a huge
sub text. The lighting is superb. The subject matter beautiful. I think that
Georgians are naturally very attractive and you have captured them
beautifully.
Comment by David Mayer — March 13, 2007 @ 1:16 am