The updated composition of the Forum Theater continues the traditions of this unusual theatre.
In January, young actors visited Zugdidi municipality. Performances were held in two villages: Koki and Didi Nedzi. Spectators gathered in schools saw several scenes: about lovers, domestic violence, the relationship between mother and children. All scenes are taken from real life. That is why a certain part of the audience saw themselves in both positive and negative roles.
The audience was so active that there was inclusion in every scene followed by discussions.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Ukrainian psychologists themselves talk about the work done in January.
Marina Stepanenko:
“Psychological assistance in the Women Fund “Sukhumi” for the Ukrainian refugees is provided permanently. The number of people who have found support and help with the help of the psychologist is not decreasing, but only growing. Refugees come with different requests, but safety and a trusting atmosphere are important for everyone. It is important for everyone to be understood and heard. The fact that the psychologist is also a refugee from Ukraine has a positive effect on the process of providing psychological assistance.”
Anna Shalimova:
“This month we continued to work with regular clients. One of the clients was a guy with a request to build personal boundaries in communication with people. We discussed the reasons for his aggressive reaction to people's jokes. We learned to openly tell people what jokes are not pleasant, and what sounds insulting. We chose a healthy behavior model for respectful communication with people.
- As a result of the work of the Women Support Centers, many women have changed their lives, because after receiving information, women become more active, - such is the assessment of the center mobilizers.
In January, six crisis families were identified in the Women Support Centers of Chokhatauri, Kobuleti, Bagdati, Senaki and Terjola. Elimination of risks causing conflict and resolution of the problem is a subsequent process of identification. Mobilizers are the main actors in this process and they are ready to support all women.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
“There were many unpleasant and terrible facts in my life. Six months have passed since the first meeting with a psychologist and many changes happened in my life. Diagnostics gave reason for reflection, recommendations turned into actions, I began to feel better emotionally and even had the strength to achieve new goals. I found many new things in myself… I have acquired strength to achieve new goals. Thanks to Manana Gotsiridze” these are the words of a young woman who is one of the clients of the psychologist of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”.
In January, the psychologist held group and individual psychological meetings in the Women Support Centers of Kobuleti, Terjola, Chokhatauri, Khurcha (Zugdidi municipality) and Pakhulani (Tsalenjikha municipality). 45 beneficiaries were involved. One part of the clients - 16 people – passed therapeutic sessions in Kutaisi, at the head office of the organization. All of them have positive results and these results are improving from month to month.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
We leave taking warm memories with us, - both adults and children said... All residents of the Rehabilitation Center of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" in January - two women and 6 children - left with hope.
Complex work was carried out with them: the social worker did her job, the psychologist did hers. The work with children was separate.
Psychologist Manana Gotsiridze: “They have lived a difficult life, and it is our duty to help them find a better path. These days we have been working on how to build harmonious relationships, how to adapt in society, overcome emotional and everyday problems.”
Anna Lomidze, assistant for working with children: “Children are careful on the first day. From the second day, their consciousness is freed from unnecessary everyday thoughts. Through exercises and tasks, they become aware of their rights and obligations, begin to talk about the family, about problems. One of them said: "When I leave this place, I will stand in front of the mirror in front of my grandfather and father and tell them that they are behaving badly, and I will not let my mother and grandmother cry." Children, together with women, also become stronger in the Rehabilitation Center. They take care of mothers, we jointly prepare symbolic gifts for mothers.”
The training work in the Youth Empowerment Centers continues actively. Another five trainings were held in the municipalities of Bagdati, Vani, Tkibuli, Senaki and Chokhatauri. The meetings were attended by 97 people.
Young people were actively involved in the working process - in interesting and fun activities. The trainings differ from each other, but despite this the participants are quite motivated, they want to get more information, more civic education and this is felt in their attitude.
Leaders have appeared in all youth groups who will make presentations at the final meetings in February.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
A little boy came with his mother. Children are often brought here, so there are a lot of toys in the room of the psychologist Manana Gotsiridze. The bunny also sat calmly on the shelf. Ukrainian boy suddenly shouted: bunny! Then he asked the psychologist: “can I hold him”? “Oh sure”. He hugged and caressed ... Manana Gotsiridze understood why and told him, if you want, I will give it to you. Mother fell into an awkward situation and began to “justify” – “he had such bunny at home, and he loved him very much”...
The boy left happy.
Everyone is satisfied after the meeting with the psychologist of the Women Fund "Sukhumi". Someone has fewer problems and the rehabilitation process is completed faster, someone needs more visits.
Meetings with Ukrainian refugees are one of the important areas in the work of Manana Gotsiridze. In January, she met 6 families - 17 people. An initial consultation was carried out, an anamnesis was collected and everyone was invited to continue free psychotherapy. They were also given the necessary products, household chemicals, warm clothes.
One more course of the Day Rehabilitation Center of the Women Fund "Sukhumi". Lots of beautiful things. One more group that learned how to work with polymer clay and create little miracles.
Traditionally, a final event was organized at the end of the two-month course. The participants presented the works created during the training, told about themselves... The presentation was impressive and was highly appreciated by the representatives of the Women Fund "Sukhumi".
Graduates were awarded with certificates. They noted that this period was quite fruitful for them in terms of professional development and personal relationships, and they will successfully apply the acquired knowledge in practice.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Women Support Centers continue to actively inform the public about victim assistance and support services, they help women to advocate various social or infrastructural problems.
In January, as a result of informing process at Women Support Centers of Samtredia, Tkibuli, Zugdidi, Vani and Tsalenjikha, crisis families were identified, work with them continues intensively.
According to the necessity, the psychologist of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" works with each case individually. Child support departments are also actively involved in the assistance process.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
One of the most important segments in the youth direction of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" is the activation of Youth Empowerment Centers.
Trainings are held monthly in 10 municipalities of Western Georgia. The working topics of the trainings in January were early marriages and ways to resolve conflicts. Topical issues caused discussions and thus made all the trainings even more interesting.
The first five trainings were held in Zugdidi, Samtredia, Tsalenjikha, Kobuleti and Terjola municipalities.
The knowledge gained during the trainings is disseminated by young people in their schools, towns and villages, thereby contributing to the reduction of conflicts and the prevention of violence.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)