March 21, 2024
News
Although finding a job in the Racha region in Georgia is difficult, Nana has always dreamt of returning home and making her own jewellery. With the help of Caritas Czech Republic, Nana opened an enamel workshop in her hometown of Oni, where she creates and sells handmade jewellery. Her dream is to open a guesthouse and make the workshop even bigger.
Moving back to Oni
Nana moved to Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, to study business. She added art as a minor because she had always wanted to make her own art. After her studies and marriage, Nana and her husband returned to Racha, where both are originally from.
The Racha-Lechkhumi region is a highland area in western Georgia. It is located in the valley of the river Rioni and surrounded by the Caucasus mountains. It is the most sparsely populated region in the country. The region is not very developed, and there are few jobs and opportunities, so it is very rare for people to return. However, Nana and her husband moved back to Nana's hometown, Oni, where they live with their five-year-old daughter.
Nana creates handmade jewellery from traditional Georgian enamel
Nana knew opening a business in the Racha region would be difficult, but she always dreamt about making her own jewellery. When Caritas Czech Republic opened a grant competition to support local businesspeople in the region, she applied. “I was beyond thrilled about the support from Caritas Czech Republic. I got so lucky to be selected,” Nana says. Nana did not receive the grant because she was lucky, but because she is hardworking, creative, and has good ideas. With the grant, Nana was able to open an enamel workshop, with brand new equipment, that she needs to create her jewellery.
The jewellery Nana sells is all handmade. She collects flowers from forests and mountains around the region and presses them into the pieces. “The jewellery is made from traditional Georgian enamel,” Nana says proudly. “It is very popular in Georgia.” She is working hard on her dreams and puts all her passion into her work: “My work is my life, I love it.”
Last summer there were many visitors in Nana’s hometown of Oni. “I sold almost all of my jewellery,” Nana says. One of her jewellery pieces costs about 20-25 lari (that is about 200 CZK). For smaller pieces, it is about 15 lari; for a more complex piece, the price can go up to 150 lari. Nana spends about three to four days on one piece. Although the price might seem little compared to the amount of work, Nana says she would not be able sell the pieces for more in the Racha region.
Nana and her mother also opened a small café in the town of Oni, where they sell coffee and all kinds of delicious desserts that her mom bakes. The café has nicely painted walls and is decorated with traditional craft from wool. In the café, Nana also sells her jewellery pieces. Her big dream is to open a guesthouse and make her workshop even bigger. Right now, she is already teaching jewellery-making to vulnerable people from the region in her workshop.
How is Caritas Czech Republic supporting entrepreneurs in the Racha region in Georgia
Thanks to Caritas Czech Republic, Nana was able to open her enamel workshop. Caritas Czech Republic is helping in the Racha region by supporting local people with business grants. That allows them to open or develop their own businesses and employ other people in the underdeveloped region. This support makes it possible for the whole region to develop, as the main problems are low income and unemployment. Many people leave the region due to the lack of sources of income. That is why Caritas Czech Republic is helping to create jobs and develop the economic chains.
Caritas Czech Republic supports local entrepreneurs in Racha, Georgia, thanks to the financial support of SlovakAid and in cooperation with the organisation Ekocentrum SOSNA. We are also able to help thanks to our donors.
